| Lance Todd Trophy | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Challenge Cup Final man of the match |
| Presented by | Reds Devils Association |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| First awarded | 1946 |
The Lance Todd Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in rugby league football's Challenge Cup Final.[1]
The trophy was introduced in 1946, in memory of Lance Todd, the New Zealand-born player and administrator, who was killed in a road accident during the Second World War. The winner is selected by the members of the Rugby League Writers' Association present at the game and the trophy is presented at a celebratory dinner at the Willows, home of Salford. The trophy belongs to the Red Devils Association, the official body representing ex-Salford players.[1]
The first winner of the trophy was Wakefield Trinity Centre, Billy Stott in 1946.[1][2]
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).
Four 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; St. Helens' Paul Wellens in 2007 (jointly) and 2008.
Robbie Paul, Gary Connolly and Kevin Sinfield have all won the award since 1996 despite each of them finishing on the losing side in their respective finals.
The first player to win the trophy on the losing side was Frank Whitcombe of Bradford Northern in the 1948 final against Wigan.
The youngest player to win the trophy was Huddersfield's Peter Ramsden who, on his 19th birthday, won it in 1953.[3]
The trophy has been shared on only two occasions. In 1965 by Ray Ashby (Wigan) & Brian Gabbitas (Hunslet), and in 2007 by Paul Wellens (St. Helens) & Leon Pryce (St. Helens).
† = Won Lance Todd Trophy Whilst On Losing Side