Albert Blan

Albert Blan
Personal information
Full name Albert Blan
Nickname "Brainy Blan"
Born 13 January 1930
Wigan, Lancashire, England
Playing information
Position Centre, Loose forward
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 (born 13 January 1930 in Wigan, Lancashire,[1]) is an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s, '50s and '60s playing at representative level 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, 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 very good reason.

Playing career

International honours

Albert Blan won a cap for England while at Swinton in 1953 against France.[2]

Rugby Football League Championship appearances

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 also 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.

County League appearances

Albert Blan played, and was captain in Swinton's victory in the 1960-61 Lancashire League.

County Cup final appearances

Albert Blan played, and was captain in Swinton's 9-15 defeat by St. Helens in the 1960 Lancashire Cup final during the 1960–61 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 October 1960, played Fullback, and was captain in the 9-25 defeat by St. Helens in the 1961 Lancashire Cup final during the 1961–62 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 November 1961, and played Fullback, and was captain in the 4-7 defeat by St. Helens in the 1962 Lancashire Cup final during the 1962–63 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 27 October 1962.

Coaching career

In the late 1960s/early 1970s Albert Blan coached Swinton, including an 11-2 victory over Leigh in the 1969 Lancashire Cup final during the 1969–70 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 1 November 1969, 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.

Genealogical information

Albert Blan is the younger brother of both Wigan, and Salford rugby league Loose forward, Jackie Blan, and rugby league footballer, Billy Blan.

References

  1. ↑ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.

External links