Mark Flanagan (rugby league)

Mark Flanagan
Personal information
Nickname Flannel, Smiler, Flash[1]
Born 4 December 1987
Oldham, England
Height 182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Playing information
Position Utility
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2009 Wigan 11 1 0 0 4
2010–11 Wests Tigers 27 2 0 0 8
2012– St Helens 37 6 0 0 24
Total 75 9 0 0 36
Source: Rugby League Project League Central

Mark "Flash" Flanagan (born 4 December 1987) is an English professional rugby league player for the St. Helens club of Super League. He normally plays at Loose forward. A utility player, he previously played for Wigan Warriors and the National Rugby League's Wests Tigers clubs before joining St Helens, with whom he won the 2014 Super League championship. He is also the son of former Great Britain international Terry Flanagan.

Background

Mark Flanagan was born on 4 December 1987 in Oldham, England. Flanagan started his rugby league career at the amateur side Saddleworth Rangers before joining Bradford Academy when he was 16. He was one of the most promising young British players and has caps for England Academy including caps against the Australian Schoolboys in 2006.

Professional playing career

Wigan Warriors

On 4 January 2007 it was announced that Flanagan would join Wigan Warriors on a 2-year contract with Wigan paying £10,900 in compensation to Bradford for the loss of the player. He was signed to provide cover and possible become a replacement to Australian stand-off Trent Barrett. Flanagan was the third player that Brian Noble had brought from his previous club Bradford, the other players being Stuart Fielden and Michael Withers. Flanagan was a regular in the Wigan reserves team. He went to Halifax on loan in June 2008 and scored two tries in his first game for the club.

After some impressive performances in the reserves Flanagan made his Wigan debut from the bench during the second half of a 22-16 defeat by the Crusaders at Brewery Field.[2][3] He made more appearances for Wigan putting in some very impressive performances, most noticeably for his defensive effort in the derby loss away at St.Helens.

Wests Tigers

It was announced 23 September 2009 that Flanagan had signed a 1-year contract with the Wests Tigers, with the Tigers having the option for a further season. Tigers' recruitment manager Warren McDonnell described him as, "a raw talent," and, "a tough no-nonsense player with a strong work ethic." [4] Flanagan played 21 games in his first season with the Tigers, mostly starting on the bench.

Having been left out of the side for most of 2011, Flanagan made his return late in the season and played in both of the Wests Tigers' semis appearances.

St Helens

It was confirmed on 19 July 2011 that St Helens had signed Flanagan on a 2-year contract, he made the move before the start of the 2012 season. The move meant that Flanagan was reunited with Head Coach Royce Simmons who he previously worked with at West Tigers.

St. Helens reached the 2014 Super League Grand Final and Flanagan was selected to play at scrum half in their 14-6 victory over Wigan Warriors.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.weststigers.com.au/?s=article-display&id=23421
  2. ↑ "Celtic Crusaders 22-16 Wigan". news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport). 13 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  3. ↑ Short, Paul (14 June 2009). "Lupton leads Crusaders to historic victory". London: www.independent.co.uk (The Independent). Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  4. ↑ Todd Balym (23 September 2009). "Daine Laurie a Panther, Tigers on signing spree". Daily Telegraph (Australia). Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  5. ↑ Cartwright, Phil (11 October 2014). "St Helens v Wigan as it happened". BBC Sport (BBC). Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  6. ↑ Hadfield, Dave (10 October 2014). "Super League Grand Final - St Helens vs Wigan: Mark Flanagan takes pivotal role against Saints' fiercest foes". http://www.independent.co.uk''. The Independent. Retrieved 13 October 2014.

External links