| Personal information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Albert Blan | |||||
| Nickname | Brainy Blan | |||||
| Born | January→March 1930 (age 81–82) Wigan district, England |
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| Playing information | ||||||
| Position | Centre, Loose forward/Lock | |||||
| Club | ||||||
| Years | Team | Pld | T | G | FG | P |
| 1948–1964 | Swinton | |||||
| Representative | ||||||
| Years | Team | Pld | T | G | FG | P |
| 1953 | England | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Source: rugbyleagueproject.org englandrl.co.uk | ||||||
Albert Blan (birth registered January→March 1930 (age 81–82) in Wigan district[1]) 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. Blan was the Lions' astute captain during much of his service with the club leading them to their two successive First Division Championships of 1962-63 and 1963-64. Blan was also a skilled place kicker whether a penalty or a conversion. Until the late 1950s he usually played in the Centre, i.e. number 3 or 4, but as he lost pace he successfully moved to Loose forward/Lock, i.e. number 13, where his leadership and notable quick thinking football brain sparked off many a try scoring movement. Many Swinton fans often referred to him as "Brainy Blan", and with good reason.
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Albert Blan won a cap for England while at Swinton in 1953 against either Wales, France, or Other Nations.[2]
Albert Blan played, and was captain in Swinton's victory in the 1962-63 Rugby Football League Championship, and the 1963-64 Rugby Football League Championship. These were the only two seasons between 1905–06 and 1972–73 in which a playoff wasn't used to determine the Rugby Football League Championship winners.
Albert Blan played, and was captain in Swinton's victory in the 1960-61 Lancashire League.
As Swinton coach in the late 1960s/early 1970s Albert Blan guided the team to Lancashire Cup success in the 1969-70 final against Leigh by 11-2 at Central Park, Wigan, an achievement which alluded him as team captain in the three finals against St. Helens in consecutive seasons, 1960–61, 1961–62 and 1962-63.
Albert Blan is the younger brother of both Wigan, and Salford rugby league Loose forward/Lock, John Blan/Jack Blan, and rugby league footballer, Billy Blan.