Johnny Slade

John 'Johnny' Slade (1932-1991) was an Australian rugby league player from the 1950s.

Originally from the Stockton, New South Wales area, Johnny Slade was a fullback for the Parramatta Eels between 1953 and 1955, then in 1958 and 1959. He is remembered for his long range kicking, especially his kicking duels with rival fullbacks and was a crowd favourite at Cumberland Oval. Slade played 77 games with Parramatta Eels in his career, scoring 16 tries, 36 goals and two field goals for a total of 124 points. He also holds the record as the youngest first grade captain-coach when he coached the blue and golds in 1955 at age 23,^[1] being the last coach of the club to avoid the wooden spoon until Ken Kearney seven seasons later. He returned to Newcastle at the end of his playing career. ^[2]

Johnny Slade died on 4 February 1991, aged 59. ^[3]

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