Sean Long
Sean Long (born 24 September 1976 in Wigan) is an English former professional rugby league and current rugby union footballer with Preston Grasshoppers.[2] He has played for Wigan, Widnes and Hull but is best known for playing for St Helens in the Super League. Internationally he has represented England and Great Britain at Scrum-half/Halfback. Although primarily a Scrum-half/Halfback he has also played many games at Stand-off/Five-eighth.
Playing career
After signing from local amateur side, Wigan St. Judes, Long started his career at Wigan Warriors. After Wigan Warriors released him from his contract, Long moved to Widnes Vikings, where he attracted the attention of several of the Super League's top clubs. He was signed by St Helens in 1997[3] to replace the departing Bobbie Goulding.
In the 1997 post season, Long was selected to play for Great Britain from the interchange bench in two matches of the Super League Test series against Australia.
Long twice set the St. Helens record for the number of points scored in a Super League season, gaining 284 points in 1999 and 352 points in 2000.[4]
In the 2002 Tetley's Super League Grand Final, Long kicked a last-gasp field goal which gave St. Helens the Championship.[5]
Long has gained many club honours and has won three Lance Todd Trophies for man-of-the-match performances in the Challenge Cup final after St. Helens won the trophy in the 2001, 2004 and 2006 finals. By 2005, Long had scored 2000 points for St Helens. During the 2005 season, he sustained a broken cheek bone in a challenge by Wigan's Terry Newton.[6]
Long scored his 1000th goal for St. Helens on 22 February 2009 in a game against Huddersfield.[7]
During 2006, St Helens won both the Challenge Cup and Super League. following the season, he travelled to Australia with Great Britain for the 2006 Tri-nations and put in a man-of-the-match performance in the Lions' first win in Australia since 1992.
St. Helens in 2007 took all honours apart from the Super League title when they were beaten by Leeds at Old Trafford in the Grand Final. In 2007 Long played his testimonial match for St. Helens playing against Leigh. Former St. Helens players returned for the game, including Chris Joynt, Tommy Martyn and Paul Newlove. St. Helens won the game 40-10.[8]
Long officially retired from International football on 16 April 2007, wishing to concentrate on his club career. He has stated that it is a "big possibility" that he will play football in the NRL in the future.[9] Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart expressed some interest in employing in the Shire in 2008 but the arrangement was cancelled.
He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat to the Leeds Rhinos.[10]
On 1 June 2009 it was announced that Sean had signed a two year contract with Hull for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.[11] Also in 2009 an Autobiography, Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal was published.[12]
Sean Long announced his retirement from playing rugby league on the morning of the 10th of August 2011. He now has a assistant coaching job [13] with the Salford City Reds. On 1 November it was announced[14] he had signed a playing contract with Rugby Union side Preston Grasshoppers in SSE National League 2 North.
International career
In 2006, Long was selected for Great Britain in the Tri nations. Long played in the first game between Great Britain and Australia, which resulted in Great Britain's first victory in Sydney in 18 years, with a score of 23-12. However, on 13 November 2006, Long returned home from the Tri-Nations tour, with 'personal reasons' cited as the reason by Great Britain coach Brian Noble.[15]
References
- ^ "Hull F.C.". web page. Hull F.C.. http://www.hullfc.com/personnel.aspx?pr=210857. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ "St Helens' Sean Long agrees deal to join Hull at the end of the season". The Guardian (London). 1 June 2009. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/01/sean-long-hull-st-helens. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
- ^ "Tri-Nations: Great Britain profiles". Mail Online (UK: Associated Newspapers). 19 October 2004. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-322576/Tri-Nations-Great-Britain-profiles.html. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ^ http://www.superleague.co.uk/records.php
- ^ Gordos, Phil (2003-04-27). "League poised for breakthrough". BBC Sport (UK: British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/challenge_cup/2979715.stm. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
- ^ unknown (14 September 2005). "Newton got off lightly - Anderson". British Broadcasting Corporation. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wigan/4245808.stm. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
- ^ unknown (22 February 2009). "Long's 1,000th goal crowns St Helens success". London: Guardian News and Media Limited. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/feb/22/huddersfield-st-helens. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
- ^ http://www.leighrl.co.uk/main/match%20reports/270107.php
- ^ Dean Ritchie (27 October 2006). "Long wants to join NRL". News Limited. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20650795-5006066,00.html. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
- ^ "2008 Grand Final". BBC. 2008-10-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- ^ "Hull FC sign Saints veteran Long". BBC News. 1 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/hull/8077282.stm. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
- ^ Long, Sean; Appleyard, Nick (2009). Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal. UK: John Blake. ISBN 9781844548569. http://books.google.com/books?id=lkWrPwAACAAJ. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
- ^ Sky Sports. http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12207/7111580/Salford-recruit-Long-to-staff.
- ^ . http://pgrfc.co.uk/preston-grasshoppers-announces-arrival-of-league-legend. Retrieved 1 Nov 2011.
- ^ unknown (13 November 2006). "We'll stand by Long, insists St Helens coach". London: Associated Newspapers Ltd. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/article-416136/Well-stand-Long-insists-St-Helens-coach.html. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
External links
| Persondata |
| Name |
Long, Sean |
| Alternative names |
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| Short description |
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| Date of birth |
24 September 1976 |
| Place of birth |
Wigan, Greater Manchester |
| Date of death |
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| Place of death |
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