Derek Whitehead (14 February 1944 â 5 April 2025) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Lancashire, and at club level for Folly Lane ARLFC http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/follylanearlfc (in Pendlebury), Swinton, Oldham and Warrington, as a goal-kicking .
Whitehead was a pupil at Cromwell Road Secondary Modern School for Boys in Pendlebury from 1955 to 1959. He died in Swinton, Greater Manchester on 5 April 2025, at the age of 81.
Whitehead won caps for Great Britain while at Warrington in 1971 against France (2 matches), and New Zealand.
Whitehead played , scored seven goals, and was man of the match winning the Lance Todd Trophy in Warrington's 24âÂÂ9 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1974 Challenge Cup Final during the 1973âÂÂ74 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1974, in front of a crowd of 77,400, and scored two goals in the 7âÂÂ14 defeat by Widnes in the 1975 Challenge Cup Final during the 1974âÂÂ75 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 10 May 1975, in front of a crowd of 85,998.
Whitehead played in Oldham's defeat by St. Helens in the 1968 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1968âÂÂ69 season at Central Park, Wigan on Friday 25 October 1968.
Whitehead played and scored a try in Swinton's 2âÂÂ7 defeat by Castleford in the 1966 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1966âÂÂ67 season at Wheldon Road, Castleford on Tuesday 20 December 1966, played in Warrington's 0âÂÂ0 draw with Salford in the 1974 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1974âÂÂ75 season at the Willows, Salford on Tuesday 17 December 1974, and played , and scored a goal in the 5âÂÂ10 defeat by Salford in the 1974 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final replay during the 1974âÂÂ75 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Tuesday 28 January 1975.
Whitehead played , and scored a try, and 6-goals in Warrington's 27âÂÂ16 victory over Rochdale Hornets in the 1973âÂÂ74 Player's No.6 Trophy Final during the 1973âÂÂ74 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 9 February 1974. Derek Whitehead set the record for the most goals in a Regal Trophy (or precursors) Final with 6-goals, this was extended to 8-goals by Frano Botica, Derek Whitehead set the record for the most points in a Regal Trophy (or precursors) Final with 15-points, this was extended to 16-points by Frano Botica.
Whitehead played , scored two goals, and was presented with an 80oz magnum bottle of Captain Morgan Rum in Warrington's 4âÂÂ0 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1973âÂÂ74 Captain Morgan Trophy Final during the 1973âÂÂ74 season at the Willows, Salford on Saturday 26 January 1974, in front of a crowd of 5,259.
Whitehead's Testimonial match at Warrington took place in 1980.
Whitehead is a Warrington Wolves Hall of Fame inductee.