Ian Kirke

Ian Kirke is an English professional rugby league footballer for English club Leeds Rhinos of Super League. He made his Leeds debut on March 5, 2006 when Leeds played Castleford Tigers. During the close to season 2006 he had surgery on both his shoulders to fix a long term injury. Attended Hornsea High School.

Although the reason is unknown, he prefers to be referred to as 'John'. He lives in Leeds with his life partner Moll-Tuck.

A man born to be captain (think about it), Ian Kirke towers over the opposition from his 6 ft 5in height but is the kind of guy who lets his rugby do the talking. After spells in both halves of Hull and Dewsbury, Kirke's breakthrough came at York City Knights as he quietly set about laying the foundations for their National League Two triumph. Tony Rea took him on loan to London Broncos and the Rhinos acted on the hint and snapped him. His father, Bob Kirke, used to play for Hull KR and is now a teacher at Hornsea Primary School.

He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final victory over St. Helens.^[2]

In July 2011, Ian was given a new two year contract at the Leeds Rhinos. ^[3]

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