Steve Donlan
Personal information
Full nameStephen Michael Donlan[1]
Born (1954-09-04) 4 September 1954 (age 69)
Leigh, England
Playing information
PositionCentre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1978–85 Leigh 240 81 21 28 337
1985 Wigan 27 7 0 0 28
1985–≥87 Bradford Northern
≤1987–≥88 Springfield Borough
Total 267 88 21 28 365
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1984 England 1 0 0 0 0
1984 Great Britain 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3][4][5]

Stephen Michael Donlan (born 4 September 1954) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Leigh, Wigan,[6] Bradford Northern and Springfield Borough, as a goal-kicking centre.[2]

Background

Steve Donlan was born in Leigh, Lancashire, England, and attended Leigh Boys Grammar School. After leaving school, he joined a local accounting firm in 1972, eventually becoming Managing Director of the practice.[7]

He is the father of the rugby league footballer, and coach; Stuart Donlan.

Playing career

Leigh

Donlan was signed by Leigh in 1978 from the town's rugby union club.[8]

Donlan played centre, and scored a drop goal in Leigh's 8-3 victory over Widnes in the 1981 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1981–82 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 26 September 1981.

Donlan played in Leigh's victory in the Championship during the 1981–82 season.

Wigan

In January 1985, Donlan was signed by Wigan for a fee of £28,000.[9]

Donlan played centre, in Wigan's 28-24 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1985 Challenge Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 4 May 1985.[10]

Later that year, Donlan was sold to Bradford Northern as part of Wigan's signing of Ellery Hanley.[11]

International honours

Steve Donlan won a cap for England while at Leigh in 1984 against Wales,[3] and won caps for Great Britain while at Leigh in 1984 against New Zealand (sub), and Papua New Guinea (sub).[4]

References

  1. ^ "Stephen Michael Donlan". Companies House. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.((cite web)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ a b "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.((cite web)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ "Statistics at leighrl.co.uk". leighrl.co.uk. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Heritage Numbers - In Debut Order". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. ^ "About Us". Hayes & Associates (Leigh) Limited. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Victims of the code war". The Guardian. London. 10 October 1979. p. 25. ProQuest 186150449.
  9. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (22 January 1985). "Gregory in from cold". The Guardian. London. p. 25. ProQuest 186509845.
  10. ^ "1984-1985 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  11. ^ "Wigan land Hanley". The Guardian. London. 17 September 1985. p. 27. ProQuest 186638017.

External links

Wigan squad โ€“ 1984โ€“85 Challenge Cup Final winners
Great Britain squad โ€“ 1984 Tour
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