Lance Todd

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lance Todd was a Rugby League player, who arrived in Britain with the New Zealand tourists in 1907. He was signed by Wigan during the tour, and he became an outstanding centre, making 185 appearances for the club.

Sharing in Wigan's inaugural Championship success in 1908/09, he was also a member of the first Wigan Challenge Cup Final line-up, which they lost to Broughton Rangers in 1911.

During November 1910, he played twice for Lancashire, when his aggregate of two tries and two goals helped seal the county title. In 1914, he transferred, unexpectedly, to Dewsbury for a fee of £400 - a huge fee at the time. In 1928 he became the team manager at Salford, achieving legendary status. During the 1930s Salford won three League Championships, five Lancashire League Championships, four Lancashire Cups and the Rugby League Challenge Cup.

Lance Todd died in a road accident in 1942. He is buried in Wigan Cemetery

For his work as a manager, and later as a radio commentator, his name lives on through the annual award of the Lance Todd Trophy, which is presented to the outstanding player in the Challenge Cup Final. The first winner of the trophy was Wakefield Trinity Centre, Billy Stott in 1946. St Helens' Sean Long made history in 2006 becoming the first player to win the Lance Todd Trophy three times (he also won in 2001 and 2004). Three players share the accolade of winning the trophy twice: Warrington's Gerry Helme in 1950 and 1954; Wigan's Andy Gregory in 1988 and 1990; Wigan's Martin Offiah in 1992 and 1994