AS I sit here, ready to reflect on my life in rugby, I have just heard the sad news of the passing of Jim Kilfoyle aka ‘Tinners’. Jim and Roger Burman were my first coaches in the professional game and had a big influence on the start of my career.
Although I only worked with Jim for a season before moving on to pastures new, I always ended up receiving the away team man-of-the-match whenever I played against Wakefield. It didn’t matter how I played ‘Tinners’ was the sort of person that always looked out for his ‘Wakey’ players.
While I was at Wakefield, I was part of the Bradford Bulls team that won the Middlesex Sevens in 2002. What an amazing experience that was. All 12 of the Premiership clubs were involved and put out strong squads – Jonny Wilkinson, for example, played for Newcastle, which is incredible really when you think it was only a year out from the World Cup.
The Bulls were one of the two Super League clubs invited to take part along with Wigan Warriors, who had Nick Easter guesting for them! The Bulls were looking to do what Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Tykes had done and become a dual-code operation, hence the tie-up with Wakefield. That never really came to anything but for me and my best mate Feels (Jon Feeley), it was the chance to play alongside players like Robbie Paul, our captain, big Lesley Vainikolo and a young Leon Pryce.
I’m the head of a school near Bradford now and I don’t mind admitting I’ve told the story quite a few times, although not as much as Feels, who uses any opportunity he gets to recall his 70-yard try in the final against Wasps.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
