John Burke (rugby league, born 1957)

For the rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s for Leeds, Keighley, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Castleford, and Wakefield Trinity, see John Burke (rugby league, born 1948).

John Burke
Personal information
Full nameJohn Burke
Born (1957-09-02) 2 September 1957 (age 67)
Leigh, England
Playing information
PositionFullback, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1976–77 Wigan 15+3 3 44 97
1977–78 Workington Town
Total 18 3 44 0 97
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1978 Great Britain 0 0 0 0 0

John Burke (born 2 September 1957[1]) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, selected at representative level for Great Britain (non-Test matches), and at club level for Wigan and Workington Town, as a fullback or centre.[2]

Background

John Burke was born in Leigh, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

International honours

John Burke played 3 matches for the England/English Schoolboys against the Australian Schoolboys, played for Great Britain (Colts), and he was selected for Great Britain while at Workington Town for the 1978 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.[citation needed]

County Cup Final appearances

John Burke appeared as a substitute (replacing centre Steve Davies[3]), and scored a goal in Wigan's 13-16 defeat by Workington Town in the 1977 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1977–78 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Saturday 29 October 1977. John is the only player to receive a winners and runners up medal for a cup final 1978/1979 Lancs cup final Workington v Widnes

Club career

John Burke was transferred from Wigan to Workington Town during February 1978, he broke his back, in an accidental ‘crusher tackle’ that caused a double dislocation of vertebrae five and six, while playing for Workington Town against Leeds on Sunday 3 September 1978. The injury left him tetraplegic and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He had previously been selected for Great Britain, and in 1981 he was presented with his cap by Rugby Football League officials; Thomas Mitchell (Workington Town), and Bill Oxley (Barrow).[4]

References

  1. ^ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  2. ^ "Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Steve Davies Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Paralysed John joins Walk for Cancer". wigantoday.net. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.[permanent dead link‍]