Billy Blan
Encyclopedia
William "Billy" Blan was an English
professional rugby league
footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at representative level played for Great Britain
, and England
, and at club level for Wigan
, Leeds
, and St. Helens, playing at , or /, i.e. number 11 or 12, or, 13, during the era of contested scrums.
while at Wigan in 1951 against Wales, and France, in 1952 against Other Nations, and won caps for Great Britain
while at Wigan in 1951 against New Zealand (3 matches).
straight after the 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.
, and Salford
rugby league /, John Blan/Jack Blan, and the older brother of rugby league footballer, Albert Blan
.
, whereas other sources state Wigan
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at representative level played for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
, and England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
, and at club level for Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
, Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
, and St. Helens, playing at , or /, i.e. number 11 or 12, or, 13, during the era of contested scrums.
International honours
Billy Blan won caps for EnglandEngland national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
while at Wigan in 1951 against Wales, and France, in 1952 against Other Nations, and won caps for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
while at Wigan in 1951 against New Zealand (3 matches).
Club career
Billy joined Wigan from the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
straight after the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and won a Championship medal in his first season. In his Wigan career he won two Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
Winners medals, three Championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
medals, and five Lancashire Cup
Lancashire Cup
There are many Lancashire Cup competitions.In particular:-* The Lancashire Senior Cup, an association football competition.* The Lancashire Cup, one of the Rugby league county cups played from 1905 to 1993.* The Lancashire Cup ....
winners medals.
Genealogical information
Billy Blan was the younger brother of WiganWigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
, and Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
rugby league /, John Blan/Jack Blan, and the older brother of rugby league footballer, Albert Blan
Albert Blan
Albert Blan is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s, '50s and '60s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Wigan 'A', and Swinton...
.
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 BarnsleyBarnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
, whereas other sources state Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
.