John Joyner (born 15 March 1955) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, as a , or , and coached at club level for Castleford.
Joyner was born in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.
Joyner made his debut for Castleford in September 1972 against Bramley. On 16 September 1973, Joyner scored 5 tries in a Player's No.6 Trophy match against Millom, a joint club record shared with several other Castleford players.
Joyner played right- in Castleford's 12âÂÂ4 victory over Leigh in the 1976 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1976âÂÂ77 season at Hilton Park, Leigh on Tuesday 14 December 1976.
Joyner played right- and scored a try in Castleford's 25âÂÂ15 victory over Blackpool Borough in the 1976âÂÂ77 Player's No.6 Trophy Final during the 1976âÂÂ77 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 22 January 1977.
Joyner played right- in Castleford's 17âÂÂ7 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1977âÂÂ78 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1977âÂÂ78 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1977, played , and scored a try in the 10âÂÂ5 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1981âÂÂ82 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1981âÂÂ82 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 3 October 1981, played in the 2âÂÂ13 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1983âÂÂ84 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1983âÂÂ84 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1983, played in the 31âÂÂ24 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1986âÂÂ87 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1986âÂÂ87 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 11 October 1986, played in the 12âÂÂ12 draw with Bradford Northern in the 1987âÂÂ88 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1987âÂÂ88 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 17 October 1987, played in the 2âÂÂ11 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1987âÂÂ88 Yorkshire Cup Final replay during the 1987âÂÂ88 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 31 October 1987, and played , and scored a try in the 12âÂÂ33 defeat by Leeds in the 1988âÂÂ89 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1988âÂÂ89 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Sunday 16 October 1988.
Joyner played and was captain in Castleford's 15âÂÂ14 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1985âÂÂ86 Challenge Cup Final during the 1985âÂÂ86 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 3 May 1986.
Joyner's testimonial match at Castleford took place in 1992. In his 20 seasons as a player, he made a club record 613 appearances for the club, scoring 185 tries.
Joyner won caps for England while at Castleford in 1980 against Wales, and France, in 1981 against France, and Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Castleford in 1978 against Australia (2 matches), in 1979 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (3 matches), in 1980 against New Zealand (3 matches), in 1983 against France (2 matches), and in 1984 against France, and New Zealand (sub) (3 matches).
In addition to the above Test matches, John Joyner played right- in Great Britain's 7âÂÂ8 defeat by France in the friendly at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Venice on Saturday 31 July 1982.
Joyner won caps for Yorkshire while at Castleford playing and scoring a try in the 12âÂÂ12 draw with Cumberland at Whitehaven's stadium on 15 February 1977, playing and scoring a try in the 37âÂÂ9 victory over Lancashire at Hull FC's stadium on 20 September 1978, playing in the 7âÂÂ23 defeat by Lancashire at Widnes' stadium on 27 September 1978, playing in the 16âÂÂ19 defeat by Lancashire at Castleford's stadium on 12 September 1979, and in the 16âÂÂ17 defeat by Cumberland at Hull Kingston Rovers' stadium on 17 September 1980.
After ending his playing career, Joyner became assistant coach to Darryl Van de Velde at Castleford, and was promoted to head coach following Van de Velde's departure at the end of the 1992âÂÂ93 season. He was the coach in Castleford's 33âÂÂ2 victory over Wigan in the 1993âÂÂ94 Regal Trophy Final during the 1993âÂÂ94 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 22 January 1994. He left the club in April 1997, ending a 25-year association with the club.