‘Tinners' always made me man of the match
The Rugby Paper|January 03, 2021
JON SKURR - THE FORMER WAKEFIELD, SEDGLEY PARK AND ROTHERHAM No.8 AND IRELAND SEVENS HEAD COACH
Jon Newcombe
‘Tinners' always made me man of the match

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.

Denne historien er fra January 03, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 03, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024