Billy Blan Explained

Billy Blan
Fullname:William Blan
Birth Date:1922 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Wigan district, England
Death Place:Wigan, England
Club1:Wigan
Year1start:1945
Year1end:53
Appearances1:255
Tries1:77
Goals1:4
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:239
Club2:Leeds
Year2start:1953
Year2end:55
Appearances2:45
Club3:St. Helens
Year3start:1955
Year3end:55
Appearances3:17
Tries3:2
Goals3:7
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:20
Club4:Leeds
Year4start:1955
Appearances4:11
Club5:Rochdale Hornets
Year5start:1955
Year5end:56
Appearances5:10
Teama:Lancashire
Yearastart:1950
Yearaend:53
Appearancesa:6
Teamb:England
Yearbstart:1951
Yearbend:52
Appearancesb:3
Triesb:0
Goalsb:0
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:0
Teamc:Great Britain
Yearcstart:1951
Appearancesc:3
Triesc:1
Goalsc:0
Fieldgoalsc:0
Pointsc:3
New:yes
Retired:yes
Updated:9 Sep 2020
Source:[1] [2] [3]

William Blan (2 May 1922[4] – 13 April 2008) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Lancashire, and at club level for Wigan, Leeds (two spells), St. Helens and Rochdale Hornets, as a or .[1]

Background

Blan's birth was registered in Wigan district, Lancashire, England, he was the younger brother of the rugby league footballer Jack Blanhttp://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=182, and the older brother of the rugby league footballer Albert Blan, he died aged 85–86 in Wigan, Greater Manchester, leaving behind his wife; Pat, and five children.[5]

Playing career

International honours

Billy Blan won caps for England while at Wigan in 1951 against Wales, and France, in 1952 against Other Nationalities,[2] and won caps for Great Britain while at Wigan in 1951 against New Zealand (3 matches).[3]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Billy Blan played at in Wigan's 8-3 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1947–48 Challenge Cup Final during the 1947–48 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1948, in front of a crowd of 91,465.[6]

County Cup Final appearances

Billy Blan played at and scored a try in Wigan's the 9-3 victory over Belle Vue Rangers in the 1946–47 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1946–47 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 26 October 1946,[7] played at in the 10-7 victory over Belle Vue Rangers in the 1947–48 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1947–48 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 1 November 1947,[8] played at in the 14-8 victory over Warrington in the 1948–49 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1948–49 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 13 November 1948,[9] played and scored a try in the 20-7 victory over Leigh in the 1949–50 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1949–50 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 29 October 1949,[10] and played in the 28-5 victory over Warrington in the 1950–51 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1950–51 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 4 November 1950.[11]

Club career

Billy Blan joined Wigan from the Royal Air Force straight after World War II, and won a Championship medal in his first season. In his Wigan career he won two Challenge Cup Winners medals, three Championship medals, and five Lancashire Cup winners medals. Billy Blan made his début for Leeds against Hunslet in the Lazenby Cup at Headingley on Monday 10 August 1953.[12]

Honoured at Wigan

Billy Blan was a life member at Wigan.[13]

After playing

After Billy Blan finished his playing career, he worked as Wigan's Lottery Manager in Pools Office.

Note

The Civil Registration index gives William Blan's district of birth as being Barnsley, whereas other sources state Wigan.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  2. Web site: England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224207/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Blan&submit=Go&c=England. dead. 2 December 2013. englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  3. Web site: Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk. https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001321/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Blan&submit=Go&c=GB. dead. 12 April 2018. englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  4. Web site: Birth details at freebmd.org.uk. freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2013. 1 January 2014.
  5. Web site: Former Great Passes Away. wiganwarriors.com. 15 July 2014. 14 April 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140724002551/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=2901&type=news. 24 July 2014. dmy-all.
  6. Web site: 1947-1948 Challenge Cup Final. wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. 1 January 2015. 7 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150907011045/http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=1455. dead.
  7. Web site: 1946–1947 Lancashire Cup Final. wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. 1 January 2015. 7 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150907010546/http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=1370. dead.
  8. Web site: 1947–1948 Lancashire Cup Final. wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. 1 January 2015. 11 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180711055235/http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=1420. dead.
  9. Web site: 1948–1949 Lancashire Cup Final. wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. 1 January 2015. 15 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150415073808/http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=1474. dead.
  10. Web site: 1949–1950 Lancashire Cup Final. wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. 1 January 2015. 13 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140813234745/http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=1519. dead.
  11. Web site: 1950–1951 Lancashire Cup Final. wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. 1 January 2015. 18 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075828/http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=1566. dead.
  12. Dalby, Ken (1955). The Headingley Story – 1890–1955 – Volume One – Rugby. The Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Co. Ltd ASIN: B0018JNGVM
  13. Web site: Club Personnel – Life Members. wiganwarriors.com. 31 December 2013. 1 January 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141226022327/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=4. 26 December 2014. dmy-all.