George Alan Prescott(17 June 1927[5]– 20 September 1998) was an Englishrugby leaguefootballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, andcoachedin the 1960s. He played initially atwing,and then later atprop,second-roworloose forward.In 404 matches forSt Helens.Prescott scored 31 tries for a total of 93 points. He played 14 times forLancashire,12 times forEngland,once for Rugby League XIII, once forBritish Empire,and made 31Great Britainappearances (10 as captain).
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| Born | 17 June 1927[1] Widnes,England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 20 September 1998(aged 71)[1] Wigan,England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing,Prop,Second-row,Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
editPrescott was born inWidnes,Lancashire,England, and he died aged 71 inWigan,Greater Manchester,England
Playing career
editPrescott made his senior rugby league debut aged 15 forHalifaxas awing.
He was transferred from Halifax toSt. Helenson 11 January 1949 and he made his first team début four days later againstBelle Vue Rangers.Prescott was captain andLance Todd Trophywinner at Wembley in 1956.
His test début againstAustraliawas atHeadingleyin 1952. When he arrived in Australia as captain of Great Britain in 1956, he had not missed a Test against Australia since making his début. He is best remembered for leading his side to victory over Australia atBrisbanein 1958, having broken his arm after just four minutes but continuing to play.[6]The match became known as "Prescott’s Match"[7]or the "Battle of Brisbane".
Alan Prescott represented Great Britain & France in the 37–31 victory over New Zealand atCarlaw Park,Aucklandon 3 July 1957.
His final appearance for St. Helens was against Halifax on 19 March 1960. He took over fromJim Sullivanas St. Helens' coach. Alan coached St. Helens toLancashire Cupsuccess and aChallenge Cupwin overWiganin 1961.
International honours
editAlan Prescott also representedGreat Britainwhile at St. Helens between 1952 and 1956 against France (3 non-Testmatches).[8]
Challenge Cup Final appearances
editAlan Prescott played atpropinSt. Helens' 10-15 defeat byHuddersfieldin the1953 Challenge CupFinal during the1952-53 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 25 April 1953, in front of a crowd of 89,588,[9]and played atprop,and wasman of the matchwinning theLance Todd Trophyin the 13–2 victory overHalifaxin the1956 Challenge CupFinal during the1955–56 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 28 April 1956, in front of a crowd of 79,341.
County Cup Final appearances
editAlan Prescott played atpropinSt. Helens' 5-22 defeat byLeighin the1952 Lancashire CupFinal during the1952–53 seasonatStation Road, Swintonon Saturday 29 November 1952, played atpropin the 16–8 victory overWiganin the1953 Lancashire CupFinal during the1953–54 seasonatStation Road, Swintonon Saturday 24 October 1953, played atpropin the 3–10 defeat byOldhamin the1956 Lancashire CupFinal during the1956–57 seasonatCentral Park,Wiganon Saturday 20 October 1956, and played atpropin the 5–4 defeat byWarringtonin the1959 Lancashire CupFinal during the1959–60 seasonatCentral Park,WiganSaturday 31 October 1959.
Coaching career
editChallenge Cup Final appearances
editAlan Prescott was thecoachinSt. Helens12-6 victory overWiganin the1961 Challenge CupFinal during the1960–61 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 13 May 1961, in front of a crowd of 94,672.
References
edit- ^abHadfield, Dave (22 September 1998)."Obituary: Alan Prescott".The Independent.Retrieved22 January2014.
- ^"Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org".rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017.Retrieved1 January2018.
- ^"England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk".englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved1 January2018.
- ^"Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk".englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017.Retrieved1 January2018.
- ^"Birth details at freebmd.org.uk".freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011.Retrieved1 January2012.
- ^Richards, Martin (28 April 2004)."A tooth stuck in head - but hooker plays on".The Guardian.Retrieved8 September2013.
- ^"The History Of Rugby League".Rugby League Information.napit.co.uk.Retrieved2 January2014.
- ^Edgar, Harry (2007).Rugby League Journal Annual 2008Page-110. Rugby League Journal Publishing.ISBN0-9548355-3-0
- ^McCorquodale, London S.E (25 April 1953).The Rugby League Challenge Cup Competition - Final Tie - Huddersfield v St. Helens - Match Programme.Wembley Stadium Ltd. ISBN n/a
External links
edit- Alan Prescott at eraofthebiff
- (archived by web.archive.org)Alan Prescott at rlhalloffame.org.uk
- Profile at saints.org.uk
- (archived by archive.is)U.K. League Hooker in Doubt
- Obituary: Alan Prescott