Chris Burton (rugby league)

Christopher Burton (born 5 October 1956) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Leeds, Huddersfield, Hull Kingston Rovers and Featherstone Rovers, as a second-row.[1]

Chris Burton
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Burton
Born (1956-10-05) 5 October 1956 (age 67)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1974–78 Leeds
1978–81 Huddersfield
1981–89 Hull Kingston Rovers 229 25 0 0 89
1989–94 Featherstone Rovers 130 5 0 0 20
Total 359 30 0 0 109
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1982–87 Great Britain 9 0 0 0 0
1985–87 Yorkshire 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Playing career edit

Leeds edit

Chris Burton played right-second-row in Leeds' 15–6 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1976 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1976–77 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 16 October 1976, in front of a crowd of 7,645

He was signed by Huddersfield in 1978.[3]

Hull Kingston Rovers edit

Burton was transferred to Hull Kingston Rovers from Huddersfield in February 1981 for a fee of £15,000.[4] He played right-second-row and scored a try in Hull Kingston Rovers' 9-18 defeat by Widnes in the 1981 Challenge Cup Final during the 1980–81 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1981, in front of a crowd of 92,496. He appeared as a substitute in the 11-7 victory over neighbours Hull F.C. in the Final of the 1980-81 Rugby League Premiership.

Chris Burton appeared as a substitute (replacing Scrum-half Paul Harkin) in Hull Kingston Rovers' 4-12 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1981–82 John Player Trophy Final during the 1981–82 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 23 January 1982, in front of a crowd of 25,245.

Burton played second-row in Hull Kingston Rovers' 8–6 victory over Queensland as they toured Papua New Guinea and England during the 1983–84 Rugby Football League season. He also played second-row in Hull Kingston Rovers' 18–10 victory over Castleford Tigers in the Final of the 1983-84 Rugby League Premiership.

Burton played left-second-row in Hull Kingston Rovers' 12-29 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1984 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull on Saturday 27 October 1984, in front of a crowd of 25,237. Burton played left-second-row in the 12-0 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1984–85 John Player Special Trophy Final at Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull on Saturday 26 January 1985, in front of a crowd of 25,326.

Burton was a member of the Hull Kingston Rovers Championship winning squads of 1983–84 Rugby Football League season & 1984–85 Rugby Football League season

Burton played left-second-row in the 22-18 victory over Castleford in the 1985 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1985–86 season at Headingley, Leeds on Sunday 27 October 1985, in front of a crowd of 12,686. Burton played left-second-row in the 8-11 defeat by Wigan in the 1985–86 John Player Special Trophy Final at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 11 January 1986, in front of a crowd of 17,573.[5]

Featherstone Rovers edit

Chris Burton was transferred from Hull Kingston Rovers to Featherstone Rovers in exchange for Paul Lyman plus a fee to Featherstone Rovers, he made his début for Featherstone Rovers on Sunday 15 January 1989.[6]

Representative honours edit

Chris Burton won caps for Great Britain while at Hull Kingston Rovers in 1982 against Australia, in 1984 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), in 1985 against New Zealand (sub), in 1986 against Australia, in 1987 against France.[1]

Chris Burton represented Yorkshire in games against Lancashire in 1985 and 1987 and against Papua New Guinea in 1987.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Player Summary: Chris Burton". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Two for Fartown". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 6 July 1978. p. 21 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Clarkson moves again". The Guardian. London. 10 February 1981. p. 26. ProQuest 186263476.
  5. ^ "1985–1986 John Player Special Trophy Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. ^ Bailey, Ron (20 September 2001). Images of Sport - Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Football Club. The History Press. ISBN 0752422952