Neil Courtney


Neil Courtney is an English former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played club level rugby union for Bury RUFC, and representative level rugby league for Great Britain, and at club level for Higginshaw ARLFC, St. Helens, Warrington and Wigan, as a or, i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums.

Background

Neil Courtney was born in Leigh, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Neil Courtney won a cap for Great Britain while at Warrington in 1982 against Australia.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Neil Courtney played left-, i.e. number 8, 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.

County Cup Final appearances

Neil Courtney played left-, i.e. number 8, in Warrington's 26-10 victory over Wigan in the 1980 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1980–81 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Saturday 4 October 1980, played left- in the 16-0 victory over St. Helens in the 1982 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1982–83 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 23 October 1982, and played left- in Wigan's 18-26 defeat by St. Helens in the 1984 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Central Park, Wigan on Sunday 28 October 1984.

John Player Trophy Final appearances

Neil Courtney played left-, i.e. number 8, in Warrington's 12-5 victory over Barrow in the 1980–81 John Player Trophy Final during the 1980–81 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 24 January 1981.

Club career

Neil Courtney signed for St. Helens on 21 November 1974, he made his début for St. Helens as an interchange/substitute in the 10-9 victory over York at Clarence Street, York on Sunday 6 April 1975, he made his starting début for St. Helens in the 22-31 defeat by Wales in the testimonial friendly at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 20 April 1975, he made his competitive starting début for St. Helens in the 15-29 defeat by Featherstone Rovers at Post Office Road, Featherstone on Sunday 5 October 1975, he played his last match for St. Helens in the 21-25 defeat by Salford at The Willows, Salford on Friday 7 September 1979, he made his début for Warrington on Wednesday 26 September 1979, and he played his last match for Warrington on Sunday 9 October 1983, he made his début for Wigan as an interchange/substitute in the 10-22 defeat by at Craven Cottage, Fulham on 19 February 1984, he scored his only try for Wigan in the 18-36 defeat by Leeds at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on 31 March 1985, and he played his last match for Wigan as an interchange/substitute in the 14-8 victory over New Zealand in the 1985 New Zealand tour of England and France match at Central Park, Wigan on 6 October 1985.