Johnny Whiteley MBE made his Hull FC debut in 1950 and went directly to make 418 appearances for the membership; he used to be a member of the Nice Britain squad that gained the 1954 and 1960 Rugby League International Cups; Whiteley used to be made an MBE in 2005 for services and products to rugby league and the group
Ultimate Up to date: 14/02/22 12:54pm
Johnny Whiteley spent his whole gambling profession with Hull FC
Two-time International Cup winner and rugby league nice Johnny Whiteley has died elderly 91.
Whiteley is synonymous with Hull FC, having performed for them all the way through his prominent profession, with the membership acknowledging him as their “largest ever”.
He made 418 appearances for the Black and Whites and would later trainer them, in addition to town competitors Hull Kingston Rovers, with each golf equipment nominating him for his position within the game’s Corridor of Status.
Whiteley gained the International Cup in 1954 and 1960 and likewise won 15 Nice Britain caps. He additionally coached the facet to a 1970 Ashes win in Australia, nonetheless the final collection win by way of the Lions down underneath.
Whiteley used to be made an MBE for services and products to rugby league and the group within the 2005 New 12 months honours record.
Whiteley gained two Rugby League International Cups in 1954 and 1960
- One in all 28 contributors of the Rugby League Corridor of Status.
- By no means despatched off, he used to be nicknamed ‘Gentleman John’ for his scrupulously honest play in an technology when global free ahead competitors had been ‘Rocky’ (Derek Turner) and ‘Wild Bull’ (Vince Karalius).
- The final Nice Britain trainer to win an Ashes collection vs Australia in 1970.
- Performed within the final Nice Britain crew to win a house Ashes collection vs Australia in 1959, starring in wins at Leeds and Wigan.
- A member of Nice Britain squads that gained two of the primary 3 Rugby League International Cup tournaments in 1954 and 1960.
- Seemed for Hull FC within the membership’s first two Wembley Cup Finals in 1959 and 1960.
- Performed in 3 consecutive Championship Finals for Hull FC, profitable in 1956 and used to be captain within the 1958 defeat of Workington The town.
- Coached each Hull FC (1963-70) and Hull KR (1970-72).
“Johnny is extensively considered the best rugby league participant to constitute this town, and among the perfect within the historical past of the game, so that is an especially unhappy day for our membership and for rugby league,” Hull FC leader govt James Clark stated.
“He represented Hull FC as a participant, trainer and ambassador with hobby, humility and the maximum determination for the final 70 years and he’s going to go away a vital hollow within the circle of relatives and upholstery of this membership.
“Johnny approached lifestyles with such younger power, vigour and resolution, and in spite of how unhappy this second is, it will have to even be a chance to rejoice his fantastic lifestyles and legacy, together with his determination to the game and town he liked so dearly.
“His affect and contribution reaches a ways past rugby league and he served his group selflessly for plenty of, a few years, which is able to by no means be forgotten.
“For the ones folks who knew him and had the privilege of spending precious time with him, he’s going to no longer best be remembered as a legend of the membership, the best ambassador for the game and a devoted servant of town – however maximum significantly, a perfect buddy.
“On behalf of Adam [Pearson], our board and everybody related to Hull FC, we ship our heartfelt condolences to Joan, Kim, Jane and the remainder of the circle of relatives, who will all the time be a part of the circle of relatives at this membership.”
Rugby Soccer League leader govt Ralph Rimmer described Whiteley as a “outstanding guy”.
“He used to be a novel hyperlink between the primary Rugby League International Cup of 1954, during which he used to be a non-playing member of the victorious Nice Britain squad, and our final Nice Britain crew to win the Ashes in 1970, when he used to be the trainer – the gamers from that excursion all the time communicate of him with awe, affection and recognize,” Rimmer stated.
“His stature in our game is underlined by way of his position within the Rugby League Corridor of Status and at the RFL’s Roll of Honour, and it’s important that he used to be awarded the MBE in 2005 for services and products each to rugby league and to the group of his house town, the place he used to be the sort of fashionable and liked determine.
“On behalf of the RFL and the game, our condolences to his circle of relatives and his many pals.”
Hull plan to mark Whiteley’s lifestyles once they play St Helens on Saturday.
