John Cogger Explained

John Cogger
Birth Date:26 April 1963
Birth Place:Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Club1:Western Suburbs
Year1start:1983
Year1end:86
Appearances1:21
Tries1:1
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:4
Club2:Runcorn Highfield
Year2start:1986
Year2end:89
Appearances2:62
Tries2:34
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:136
Club3:Oldham
Year3start:1989
Year3end:91
Appearances3:62
Tries3:31
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:124
Retired:yes
Source:[1]

John Cogger (born 26 April 1963) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a . He played at club level for Western Suburbs, Runcorn Highfield and Oldham.

Playing career

Australia

Cogger made his first grade debut for Western Suburbs in 1983. He suffered a broken jaw in a match against Balmain early in 1985, which ruled him out for the rest of the year.[2]

England

Cogger moved to England in 1986, joining Second Division club Runcorn Highfield. He was named Division Two Player of the Year in 1987. He played in the club's heavy defeat to Wigan in the first round of the 1988–89 John Player Special Trophy, with most of Runcorn's professional players having gone on strike.[3] In 1989, he briefly served as caretaker coach at the club following the departure of Bill Ashurst.[4]

Cogger joined Oldham in February 1989, and was appointed as the club's captain.[5] During the 1989–90 season, he helped the club reach the 1989–90 Lancashire Cup final and 1989–90 Challenge Cup semi-final, narrowly losing to Warrington on both occasions.

Personal life

John Cogger is the brother of Trevor Cogger, who also played rugby league for Western Suburbs. His nephew, Jack Cogger, has played for several clubs in the National Rugby League and Super League.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Cogger - Playing Career . Rugby League Project . 14 March 2024.
  2. Web site: Rugby League Heroes: John Cogger . Total Rugby League . 14 March 2024 . 13 April 2022.
  3. News: Historic encounter but it wasn't a game . The Canberra Times . 15 November 1988 . 20 . Trove.
  4. News: Fitzpatrick . Paul . Ashurst quits struggling Runcorn . The Guardian . 4 January 1989 . London . 15 . .
  5. News: McNamara . Jack . It's Captain Cogger . Manchester Evening News . 1 March 1989 . 55 . . subscription.