Jack Wilkinson (16 August 1930 â 1992) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1960s. A Halifax and Wakefield Trinity Hall of Fame inductee, he was a Great Britain and England international forward. Wilkinson also represented Yorkshire, and ended his career as captain-coach of Bradford Northern.
Jack Wilkinson as born in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he was a classmate of wrestler Shirley "Big Daddy" Crabtree. He died in March 1992, aged 61.
Wilkinson played at in Halifax's 4âÂÂ4 draw with Warrington in the 1953âÂÂ54 Challenge Cup Final during the 1953âÂÂ54 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 24 April 1954, in front of a crowd of 81,841. In the subsequent replay he played at in the 4âÂÂ8 loss to Warrington which attracted a record crowd of 102,575, or more, to Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 May 1954.
Wilkinson played in the 2âÂÂ13 defeat by St. Helens in the 1955âÂÂ56 Challenge Cup Final during the 1955âÂÂ56 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 28 April 1956. Wilkinson's Testimonial match at Halifax took place in 1958.
Jack Wilkinson joined Wakefield Trinity from Halifax in 1959 for ã4,500 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately ã207,900 in 2013). During the 1959âÂÂ60 season Wilkinson played at in Wakefield Trinity's 38âÂÂ5 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1959âÂÂ60 Challenge Cup Final during the 1959âÂÂ60 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 14 May 1960, in front of a crowd of 79,773. He then played in the 3âÂÂ27 loss against Wigan in the Rugby Football League Championship Final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday, 21 May 1960.
During the 1960âÂÂ61 season Wilkinson played for Wakefield Trinity at in their victory over Huddersfield in the 1960âÂÂ61 Yorkshire Cup Final at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1960, The following year he again played at in Wakefield's victory in the 1961 Yorkshire Cup Final, this time over Leeds. Wilkinson played at in the 12âÂÂ6 victory over Huddersfield in the 1961âÂÂ62 Challenge Cup Final during the 1961âÂÂ62 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 12 May 1962, in front of a crowd of 81,263, and played at in the 25âÂÂ10 victory over Wigan in the 1962âÂÂ63 Challenge Cup Final during the 1962âÂÂ63 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1963, in front of a crowd of 84,492.
Jack Wilkinson moved to Bradford Northern, as captain-coach in 1963. That year the film This Sporting Life which starred Richard Harris was released and in it Wilkinson is clearly visible as a rugby player in several scenes.
Wilkinson won caps for Great Britain while at Halifax between 1952 and 1956 against France (1 non-Test match). Wilkinson also represented England while at Halifax in 1953 against Other Nationalities.
Wilkinson won caps for Great Britain while at Halifax in 1954 against Australia and New Zealand (2 matches). He also played for Rugby League XIII while at Halifax against France. Wilkinson played for England in 1955 against Other Nationalities. He won caps for Great Britain in 1955 against New Zealand (3 matches). Auckland defeated Great Britain 5-4 at Carlaw Park in a rough match which resulted in Wilkinson and Nat Silcock being sent off.
Wilkinson was selected for Yorkshire County XIII while at Halifax in 1959.
During the 1959âÂÂ60 Kangaroo tour Wilkinson was selected to play for Great Britain at in their victory in the third and deciding Ashes test.
Wilkinson was selected for Yorkshire County XIII while at Wakefield Trinity.
Wilkinson helped Great Britain to victory in the 1960 World Cup, playing in all three games, and scoring a try in the 33âÂÂ7 victory over France on Saturday 1 October 1960 at Station Road, Swinton.