Wikipedia

Derek Turner

For the journalist and author, seeDerek Turner (journalist).For the English museum curator, seeD. H. Turner.

Derek Turner(13 November 1932 – 31 July 2015), also known by thenicknameof"Rocky",was an EnglishWorld Cupwinning professionalrugby leaguefootballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, andcoachedin the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level forGreat Britain,England,Yorkshireand Great Britain & France, and at club level forHull Kingston Rovers,OldhamandWakefield Trinity(captain), with whom he won threeChallenge CupFinals, as asecond-row,or more usuallyloose forward,[2][5]and coached at club level forCastleford,LeedsandWakefield Trinity.[6][7]

Derek Turner
Personal information
Born(1932-11-13)13 November 1932[1]
Ossett,England
Died31 July 2015(2015-07-31)(aged 82)
Wakefield,England
Playing information
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight13 st 7 lb (86 kg)
PositionSecond-row,Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1950–55 Hull Kingston Rovers 141 27 0 0 81
1955–59 Oldham 134 35 1 0 107
1959–66 Wakefield Trinity 213 45 0 0 135
Total 488 107 1 0 323
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1957 Great Britain & France 1 1 3
19??–?? Yorkshire 10 2 0 0 6
1962 England 1 0 0 0 0
1956–62 Great Britain 24 8 0 0 24
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1968–69 Castleford
1969–72 Leeds
1983–84 Wakefield Trinity
Total 0 0 0 0
Source:[2][3][4]

Club career

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Turner played his early rugby league at Cathedral Boys School, Wakefield, then Alverthorpe Youth Club, Balne Lane ARLFC, Ossett ARLFC, and Shaw Cross ARLFC, he began his professional rugby league career atHull Kingston Rovers.[8]In 1955, Turner was transferred from Hull Kingston Rovers toOldhamfor £2,750 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £165,900 in 2016).[9]

Turner made his début forOldhamagainstHunsleton 3 September 1955. He was a member of the Oldham team that found success in theChampionshipof 1956–57, theLancashire CupFinals of 1956–57, 1957–58 & 1958–59, and theLancashire Leagueof 1956–57 & 1957–58. Whilst at Oldham, Turner won 11 of his 24 Great Britaincaps,winning the Ashes in 1956. In March 1959, Turner was transferred from Oldham toWakefield Trinityfor £8,000 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £391,700 in 2016).[9]

At Wakefield Trinity Turner captainedWakefield Trinityin threeChallenge Cupvictories (1960, 1962 and 1963), playedloose forwardin the 38–5 victory overHull F.C.in the1959–60 Challenge CupFinal during the1959–60 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 14 May 1960, in front of a crowd of 79,773[10]presented byHM the Queen,playedloose forwardin the 12–6 victory overHuddersfieldin the1961–62 Challenge CupFinal during the1961–62 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 12 May 1962, in front of a crowd of 81,263, presented byField Marshal Montgomery,and played atsecond-rowin the 25–10 victory overWiganin the1962–63 Challenge CupFinal during the1962–63 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 11 May 1963, in front of a crowd of 84,492, presented byField Marshal Alexander.

Turner playedloose forwardinWakefield Trinity's 16–10 victory overHuddersfieldin the1960–61 Yorkshire CupFinal during the1960–61 seasonatHeadingley,Leedson Saturday 29 October 1960, and playedloose forwardin the 19–9 victory overLeedsin the1961–62 Yorkshire CupFinal during the1961–62 seasonatOdsal,Bradfordon Saturday 11 November 1961. Turner also captained Wakefield Trinity to victory in theYorkshire Leagueduring the1958–59 season,1959–60 season,1961–62 seasonand1962–63 season.

Whilst at Wakefield Trinity, Turner won the remaining 13 of his 24 Great Britain caps, winning the World Cup in 1960 and the Ashes in 1959 & 1962, he also won his sole England cap.

Turner retired in 1964 but returned to play a further 24 matches for Trinity in the 1965–66 season before an injury in the first match of the 1966–67 season brought his playing career to an end.[11]

Representative career

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Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Turner played forYorkshireagainst Lancashire in tenRugby League War of the Rosesmatches, scoring two tries.

Alongside fellow Oldham player,centreAlan Davies,Turner was selected for the Great Britain squad to play inAustralia's1956 Kangaroo TourofGreat Britain,Turner was rested for the firstTestwhich Great Britain won 21–10 atCentral Park,Wigan.Turner played in the second match which Australia won 9–22 atOdsal,Bradford.Turner played in the third Test as Great Britain defeated Australia 19–0 atStation Road,Swinton,to take theAshesseries 2–1.

Just prior to the 1957 World Cup, Turner played in all three of Great Britain's matches againstFrance,alternating between venues in Great Britain and France. Great Britain won two and drew one of the fixtures: 45–12Headingley,Leeds;19–19Stade Municipal,Toulouse;29–14Knowsley Road,St. Helens.

Alongside fellow Oldham players,centreAlan Davies,andsecond-rowSid Little,Turner was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in the1957 Rugby League World Cupin Australia. Turner played in the 23–5 victory over France atSydney Cricket Ground,Sydney,the 6–31 defeat by Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, and the 29–21 defeat byNew Zealandat Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Australia ran out comfortable World Champions, with victories over New Zealand, Great Britain and France. Despite suffering a heavier defeat by Australia than either New Zealand or France, Great Britain's heavy victory over France in the opening match, France's narrow victory over New Zealand, and Great Britain's narrow defeat by New Zealand in the last match secured Great Britain second place overall. Great Britain had the luxury of playing all their matches at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, whereas New Zealand and France had to play at boththe Gabba,Brisbane,and Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, which are 575-miles apart.

Turner playedloose forwardand scored atryin Great Britain & France's 37–31 victory over New Zealand atCarlaw Park,Aucklandon 3 July 1957.

Just after to the 1957 World Cup, Turner played in both of Great Britain's matches against France, alternating between venues in Great Britain and France. Great Britain won both tests; 14–25 at Stade Municipal, Toulouse; 44–15 atCentral Park,Wigan.

In 1958, Turner played for Great Britain in the 23–9 defeat by France atStade Lesdiguières,Grenoble.

Alongside fellow Oldham players,centreAlan Davies,andscrum-halfFrank Pitchford,Turner was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in 1958 tour of Australia, but had to withdraw because of an injury.

Turner was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in Australia's1959 Kangaroo Tourof Great Britain, Turner played in first of the three matches. Australia won the first Test 22–14 atStation Road,Swinton.Turner was rested for the second and third of the three matches, Great Britain won the second 11–10 atHeadingley,Leeds.Great Britain won the third 18–12 at Central Park, Wigan to take the Ashes series 2–1.

Just prior to the 1960 World Cup, Turner played in all three of Great Britain's matches against France, alternating between venues in France and Great Britain. Great Britain won one, drew one and lost one of the fixtures: France won 20–18 at Stade Municipal, Toulouse. On 65 minutes a colossal brawl erupted when Georges Fages kicked Turner on the chin following Turner's tackle on Fages. When the dust settled Turner was ordered off, but five minutes elapsed before he was finally escorted from the field byBill Fallowfield,secretary of theRugby Football League.The British players waited for Fages to go, but in vain. There was 17–17 draw at Knowsley Road, St Helens; Great Britain won 21–10 atStade André Moga,Bordeaux.

Alongside fellow Wakefield Trinity playerpropJack Wilkinson,Turner was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in the1960 Rugby League World Cupin Great Britain. Turner played in the 23–8 victory over New Zealand at Odsal, Bradford, rested on Saturday 1 October 1960 for the 33–7 victory over France atStation Road, Swinton,Turner returned for the last match of the series against Australia at Odsal, Bradford. The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was run on a league basis, but with both Great Britain and Australia undefeated, the last match became a virtual World Cup Final. Great Britain become World Champions with the 10–3 victory over Australia atOdsal,Bradford.

In 1961, Turner played for Great Britain in the 27–8 victory over France atKnowsley Road,St. Helens.Unusually, Turner played as asecond-row,withVince Karaliusplaying loose forward.

Turner was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in New Zealand's 1961 Tour of Great Britain, Turner played in the first of the three matches, the 11–29 defeat by New Zealand atHeadingley,Leeds.

In 1962 Turner played his soleEnglandinternational against France, an 18–6 victory atHeadingley,Leeds.This was also England's sole international between10 May 1956 and 7 November 1968.Great Britain being the primary incarnation of international representation during this period, a period that matched Turner's prominence.

Alongside fellow Wakefield Trinity players,Neil Fox,Harold Poynton,Gerry Round,and Jack Wilkinson, Turner was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in1962tour of Australia, New Zealand andSouth Africa.This Great Britain team would be the nearest to achieving a 3–0 Asheswhitewashof the Kangaroos on Australian turf to date.

In Australia, Turner scored a try in the 31–12 victory in the first Test at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (before more than 70,000 fans), was rested for the 17–10 victory in the second Test in the Gabba, Brisbane (attendance 34,786), and returned for the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In the third Test of the 1962 Ashes series, Australia'sDud Beattiesuffered a broken collarbone, and knowing he would have to leave the field anyway (Substitutions not being permitted until 1964), Beattie ignited a fight with Turner, it resulted in the referee sending both players from the field. As Beattie was being half-carried from the arena by an ambulance man, Turner prodded and remonstrated with Beattie for his actions. A controversial last-minuteKen Irvinetry against the weakened defence,Mick Sullivanhaving already been sent off, and the subsequent touchline goal resulted in a 17–18 defeat, although awhitewashwas denied, Great Britain won the Ashes series 2–1.

After the Australia Ashes Tests, WithEric Ashton(Captain),Alex MurphyandDon Foxinjured, Turner took over the captaincy for the two tests in New Zealand. However, these and other injuries depleted the squad to such an extent that both tests inCarlaw Park,Auckland were lost 0–19 and 8–27.

After the New Zealand Tests, only fourteen players from the original squad of twenty-five were uninjured, thirteen of whom went on to play three exhibition matches in South Africa. Despite being top try scorer, with 22 tries in the tests,Billy Bostoncould not be considered for selection purely due to the colour of his skin, as this was apartheid-era South Africa. Consequently, coachColin Huttonbecame a stand-in reserve. The squad for the South African exhibition matches was;Eric Fraser(Warrington);Ike Southward(Workington Town),Peter Small(Castleford),Neil Fox(Wakefield Trinity),Mick Sullivan(St. Helens);Dave Bolton(Wigan),Harold Poynton(Wakefield Trinity);Jack Wilkinson(Wakefield Trinity), John Shaw (Halifax),Ken Noble(Huddersfield),Laurie Gilfedder(Warrington),Dick Huddart(St. Helens), Derek Turner (Wakefield Trinity); Reserve:Colin Hutton(Hull Kingston Rovers).

In 1962, Turner played his last match for Great Britain in the 17–12 defeat by France at Stade Gilbert Brutus,Perpignan.

Coaching career

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After retiring from the field Turner was head coach forCastlefordatWheldon Roadfrom 1966 until Saturday 24 May 1969, and is regarded as the best Castleford coach of all time.[12]During his period as coach Castleford won the Challenge Cup in 1969 as well as reaching the Yorkshire Cup Final and Premiership Final.[11]

Leaving Castleford Turner became coach atLeedsbetween 1969 and 1972. He coached Leeds to victory in the Championship Final in 1972.[11]

Derek Turner was thecoachinLeeds' 7–24 defeat byLeighin the1970–71 Challenge CupFinal during the1970–71 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 15 May 1971, in front of a crowd of 85,514, and was thecoachin the 13–16 defeat bySt. Helensin the1971–72 Challenge CupFinal during the1971–72 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 13 May 1972, in front of a crowd of 89,495

Turner wasHead Coachfor Wakefield Trinity atBelle Vuefrom July 1983 until February 1984.

Outside rugby league

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Turner appeared in the 1963 filmThis Sporting Life.The film's director,Lindsay Anderson,instructed Turner to make a scene where the main character Frank Machin loses seven teeth, following a scrum, look realistic.Richard Harriswho was playing Frank Machin wasknocked out,and filming for the day was abandoned.[11]

For a number of years, Turner and his son Darren ran a removals business, Derek Turner Ltd, based inOssettnearWakefield.

Peer accolades

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In 2003, BBC Rugby League commentatorRay Frenchwas asked to name the six 'hardest' men ever to play Rugby League, he named Turner along with;Vince Karalius,Barrie McDermott,Ray Price,Gorden Tallis&Cliff Watson.[13]

According to LionPhil Jackson"Vince Karalius was much lauded here as one of the best loose forwards to go (to Australia) and I reckon Derek Turner were [sic] a better player ".[14]

Death and legacy

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Turner died on 31 July 2015, aged 82.[1]In 2018, he was posthumously inducted into theRugby League Hall of Fame.[15]

References

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Sources

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  • Bamford, Maurice (8 July 2005).Play to Win: Rugby League Heroes.London League Publications Ltd.ISBN1-903659-21-3.
  • Gate, Robert (10 May 2008).Rugby League Lions: 100 Years of Test Matches.Vertical Editions.ISBN978-1-904091-25-7.

Notes

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  1. ^abHadfield, Dave (22 October 2015)."Derek Turner: Rugby league back-rower nicknamed Rocky who won the Challenge Cup as both pläyer and coäch".The Independent.Retrieved22 August2017.
  2. ^ab"Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org".rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017.Retrieved1 January2018.
  3. ^"England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk".englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 10 June 2015.Retrieved1 January2018.
  4. ^"Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk".englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 10 June 2015.Retrieved1 January2018.
  5. ^"Wakefield Trinity legend Turner dies".Yorkshire Evening Post.2 August 2015.Retrieved2 August2015.
  6. ^"Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org".rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017.Retrieved1 January2018.
  7. ^"Coach Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk".31 December 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 13 August 2011.Retrieved1 January2018.
  8. ^"Derek Turner Obituary".wakefieldwildcats.co.uk.3 August 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2016.Retrieved3 August2015.
  9. ^ab"Measuring Worth – Relative Value of UK Pounds".Measuring Worth. 31 December 2017.Retrieved1 January2018.
  10. ^"Rugby League – The Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium".Wembley Stadium. 31 December 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 24 October 2007.Retrieved1 January2009.
  11. ^abcdMarsden, Lorraine (10 August 2015). "Death of a Rugby League winner".Rugby Leaguer & League Express.No. 2979. p. 36.
  12. ^"The Tigers Dream Team".Castleford Tigers. 31 December 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 1 August 2008.Retrieved1 January2009.
  13. ^"French Lessons – Hardest players".BBC. 23 April 2003. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2007.Retrieved1 January2012.
  14. ^"Phil Jackson Interview".rl1908. 31 December 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 5 January 2003.Retrieved1 January2009.
  15. ^"Wakefield Trinity's Derek Turner and Hull's Johnny Whiteley among those inducted to Rugby League Hall Of Fame".Yorkshire Post.24 October 2018.Retrieved24 November2024.
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