Paul Deacon

Paul Deacon (born 13 February 1979) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A Great Britain and England international representative stand-off or scrum-half, he played in the Super League for Oldham, the Bradford Bulls (who named him in their "Team of the Century", having won the 2001, 2003 and 2005 Super League Grand Finals, the 2003 Challenge Cup, and the 2002 World Club Challenge), and his home-town club, the Wigan Warriors (with whom he won the 2010 Super League Grand Final and 2011 Challenge Cup).[2][3] Deacon followed this with becoming a member of Wigan's coaching staff, working closely with manager Shaun Wane.

For the 8th century monk and historian, see Paul the Deacon.

Paul Deacon
Personal information
Full namePaul Deacon
Born (1979-02-13) 13 February 1979
Wigan, England
Playing information
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight12 st 11 lb (81 kg)[1]
PositionScrum-half, Stand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1997–98 Oldham Bears 4 0 0 0 0
1998–09 Bradford Bulls 324 76 1124 25 2577
2010–11 Wigan Warriors 49 5 17 0 54
Total 377 81 1141 25 2631
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1999–08 England 4 1 0 0 4
2002–07 Great Britain 10 1 9 0 22
2001–03 Lancashire 4 2 6 0 20
Source: [2][3][4][5]

Background

Deacon was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England.

Playing career

1990s

Hailing from Standish near Wigan, a former Hindley amateur, Deacon made his senior professional début four days before his 18th birthday as a substitute for Oldham in a 48–6 RL Challenge Cup fourth round home victory over Rochdale Hornets on 9 February 1997. He made only four appearances for Oldham before moving to the Bradford Bulls. He has been one of Bradford Bulls' most influential players in the 21st century so far. He signed for the Bradford Bulls from Oldham, and came through the youth system at the same time as Jamie Peacock and Stuart Fielden. Deacon scored a try and goal on his début for the Bradford Bulls at scrum-half in a 36–10 Super League home victory over Huddersfield Giants on 28 June 1998. Deacon won caps for England while at the Bradford Bulls in 1999 against France (2 matches). Deacon played for the Bradford Bulls from the interchange bench in the 1999 Super League Grand Final which was lost to St. Helens.

2000s

Deacon played for England in their 2000 World Cup campaign against Russia, Fiji, Ireland and New Zealand, and in 2001 against Wales.[4] He went on to be one of Bradford Bulls' key players, a superb organiser with a tremendous kicking game. For Great Britain he won caps while at the Bradford Bulls in 2001 against France and Australia. Deacon played for the Bradford Bulls from the interchange bench in their 2001 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. As Super League VI champions, the Bradford Bulls played against 2001 NRL Premiers, the Newcastle Knights in the 2002 World Club Challenge. Deacon played at scrum-half, kicking eight goals and one field goal in Bradford Bulls' victory. Deacon played for the Bradford Bulls at scrum-half, kicking three goals in their 2002 Super League Grand Final loss against St. Helens. He was awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy as grand final man-of-the-match despite being on the losing side. In the seasons of 2002 and 2003 Deacon's goal kicking percentage was near 80%. He represented Great Britain in 2002 against New Zealand (3 matches), in 2003 against Australia (2 matches, plus 1 as sub). Deacon played for the Bradford Bulls at scrum-half, kicking six goals and one drop goal in their 2003 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. He also played for the Bradford Bulls at scrum-half in their 2004 Super League Grand Final loss against the Leeds Rhinos.

Deacon played for the Bradford Bulls at scrum-half, kicking three goal from five attempts in their 2005 Super League Grand Final victory against Leeds Rhinos He played in the 2005 Tri Nations against Australia and New Zealand (2 matches).[5] On 23 June 2006, Paul Deacon broke the record points scored for a Bradford Norther/Bradford Bulls player (1,834), which was previously held by Keith Mumby. In 2007 Paul became the Bradford Bulls captain taking over from Iestyn Harris. In August 2007 he was named in Bradford Bull' Team of the Century. In September 2007 Deacon reached 2,000 goals for the Bradford Bulls. Deacon was recalled for the Great Britain train-on squad for the 2007 test series with New Zealand, but pulled out due to injury. In 2008 Deacon celebrated his testimonial year with the Bradford Bulls after 10-years of service for the Super League club. As well as a testimonial match against his hometown club Wigan Warriors in January, Paul Deacon's name also appeared on all away jerseys to commemorate his loyalty to the Bradford Bulls. On 16 April 2008 Paul signed a new 2-year contract until 2010. He was forced to rule himself out of contention for the England training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup through injury.[6] In November 2009, Deacon signed for Wigan after 11-years at the Bradford Bulls.

2010s

Deacon appeared in his first Grand Final in 5-years by playing in the 2010 Super League Grand Final victory over St. Helens at Old Trafford.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Deacon played in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final 28–18 victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]

In 2013, Deacon was appointed assistant to Steve McNamara at the England national rugby league team, just before the beginning of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Statistics

Club career
YearClubAppsPtsTGFG
1998 Bradford Bulls132444-
1999 Bradford Bulls28691321
2000 Bradford Bulls27859233
2001 Bradford Bulls27786254
2002 Bradford Bulls2831961471
2003 Bradford Bulls2931391373
2004 Bradford Bulls2827671232
2005 Bradford Bulls31359121535
2006 Bradford Bulls282647118-
2007 Bradford Bulls21216598-
2008 Bradford Bulls121091521

Representative career
YearTeamMatchesTriesGoalsField GoalsPoints
1999 England2000
2000 England4000
2001 England4000
2002 Great Britain3000
2003 Great Britain306012
2004 Great Britain0000
2005 Great Britain313010
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References
  1. "Wigan Warriiors Player Profile Paul Deacon". web page. wiganwarriors.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  2. "Profile at loverugbyleague.com". loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. "Deacon pulls out of England squad". BBC. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  7. Hadfield, Dave (4 October 2010). "Maguire proves the guiding light as revitalised Wigan roll back the years". The Independent. UK: independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 October 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  8. Wilson, Andy (4 October 2010). "Wigan's Martin Gleeson dedicates Grand Final triumph to Terry Newton". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  9. "Gleeson strikes as Wigan claim Grand Final glory". espn.co.uk. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  10. Wilson, Andy (2 October 2010). "Wigan turn St Helens into sinners with Super League Grand Final win". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  11. Burke, David (3 October 2010). "Wigan 22 St Helens 10". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  12. "2010 Grand Final match report". superleague.co.uk. Super League. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  13. AAP (3 October 2010). "Man of Steel Richards leads Wigan to silverware". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  14. "Wigan 22 St Helens 10". Manchester Evening News. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  15. Lancaster, Rob (2 October 2010). "Warriors too good for Saints". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 5 October 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  16. "Grand final heartache". St Helens Reporter. 4 October 2010. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  17. AFP (3 October 2010). "Gleeson steers Wigan to Super League title". ABC News. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  18. AAP (3 October 2010). "Wigan wins Super League". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  19. AFP (3 October 2010). "Wigan defeat St Helen's for Super League title". The Herald-Sun. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  20. AFP (3 October 2010). "Wigan defeat St Helens in English Super League grand final". Fox Sports. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  21. "Wigan edge thrilling cup final". uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  22. Scott, Ged (27 August 2011). "Wigan's Challenge Cup win a team effort - Joel Tomkins". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  23. skysports.com (27 August 2011). "Maguire salutes Wembley heroes". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  24. ESPN staff (27 August 2011). "Challenge Cup glory for Wigan Warriors". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  25. wiganwarriors.com (28 August 2011). "Wigan are 2011 Cup Champions". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  26. Scott, Ged (27 August 2011). "Leeds 18-28 Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  27. Wilson, Andy (27 August 2011). "Leeds Rhinos 18-28 Wigan Warriors – Challenge Cup final match report". The Guardian. London.
  28. therfl.co.uk (28 August 2011). "Challenge Cup: Lima inspires Wigan win". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  29. Brown, Oliver (27 August 2011). "Challenge Cup final: Leeds Rhinos 18 Wigan Warriors 28". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  30. Chisnall, Craig (28 August 2011). "Lima double inspires Wigan to Cup win". Wide World of Sports. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  31. Henson, Mike (27 August 2011). "Challenge Cup final - as it happened". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  32. Brown, Oliver (28 August 2011). "Challenge Cup final 2011: Wigan's warrior spirit shades controversy in emphatic win over Leeds Rhinos". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  33. Press Association (27 August 2011). "Wigan edge thrilling cup final". Free Press. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  34. "O'Loughlin savours special cup win". uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  35. bbc.co.uk (30 August 2011). "Wigan's Sam Tomkins punished for gesture at Leeds fans". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
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