Billy Blan

William Blan (birth registered second ¼ 1922[4] – 13 April 2008) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Lancashire, and at club level for Wigan, Leeds (two spells), St. Helens and Rochdale Hornets, as a second-row or loose forward, i.e. number 11 or 12, or, 13, during the era of contested scrums.[1]

William Blan
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Blan
Bornsecond ¼ 1922
Wigan district, England
Died13 April 2008(2008-04-13) (aged 85–86)
Wigan, England
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1945–53 Wigan 255 77 4 239
1953–55 Leeds 45
1955 St. Helens 17 2 7 20
1955 Leeds 11
1955–56 Rochdale Hornets 10
Total 338 79 11 0 259
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1950–53 Lancashire 6
1951–52 England 3 0 0 0 0
1951 Great Britain 3 1 0 0 3
Source: [1][2][3]

Background

Blan's birth was registered in Wigan district, Lancashire, England, he was the younger brother of the rugby league footballer Jack Blan, and the older brother of the rugby league footballer Albert Blan, he died aged 85–86 in Wigan, Greater Manchester, leaving behind his wife; Pat, and five children.[5]

Playing career

International honours

Billy Blan won caps for England while at Wigan in 1951 against Wales, and France, in 1952 against Other Nationalities,[2] and won caps for Great Britain while at Wigan in 1951 against New Zealand (3 matches).[3]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Billy Blan played right-second-row, i.e. number 12, in Wigan's 8-3 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1947–48 Challenge Cup Final during the 1947–48 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1948, in front of a crowd of 91,465.[6]

County Cup Final appearances

Billy Blan played right-second-row, i.e. number 12, and scored a try in Wigan's the 9-3 victory over Belle Vue Rangers in the 1946–48 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1946–47 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 26 October 1946,[7] played right-second-row in the 10-7 victory over Belle Vue Rangers in the 1947–48 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1947–48 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 1 November 1947,[8] played right-second-row in the 14-8 victory over Warrington in the 1948–49 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1948–49 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 13 November 1948,[9] played loose forward and scored a try in the 20-7 victory over Leigh in the 1949–50 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1949–50 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 29 October 1949,[10] and played loose forward in the 28-5 victory over Warrington in the 1950–51 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1950–51 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 4 November 1950.[11]

Club career

Billy Blan joined Wigan from the Royal Air Force straight after World War II, and won a Championship medal in his first season. In his Wigan career he won two Challenge Cup Winners medals, three Championship medals, and five Lancashire County Cup winners medals. Billy Blan made his début for Leeds against Hunslet in the Lazenby Cup at Headingley on Monday 10 August 1953.[12]

Honoured at Wigan

Billy Blan was a life member at Wigan.[13]

After playing

After Billy Blan finished his playing career, he worked as Wigan's Lottery Manager in Pools Office.

Note

The Civil Registration index gives William Blan's district of birth as being Barnsley, whereas other sources state Wigan.

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  5. "Former Great Passes Away". wiganwarriors.com. 14 April 2008. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  6. "1947-1948 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  7. "1946–1947 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  8. "1947–1948 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  9. "1948–1949 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  10. "1949–1950 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  11. "1950–1951 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  12. Dalby, Ken (1955). The Headingley Story – 1890–1955 – Volume One – Rugby. The Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Co. Ltd ASIN: B0018JNGVM
  13. "Club Personnel – Life Members". wiganwarriors.com. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.

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