Derek Edwards (c. 1943 – 27 January 2020) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford and Keighley as a .

Playing career

Club career

Born in Castleford, Edwards started his career with his hometown club Castleford during the 1960–61 season. He won his first trophy with the club in 1965, playing at full-back in Castleford's 4–0 victory over St. Helens in the inaugural BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final on Tuesday 14 December 1965. Castleford won the trophy again in the two following seasons, with Edwards playing in both games — a 7–2 victory over Swinton in the

1966 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...

final on Tuesday 20 December 1966, and an 8–5 victory over

Leigh Leigh may refer to: Places In England Pronounced : * Leigh, Greater Manchester, Borough of Wigan ** Leigh (UK Parliament constituency) * Leigh-on-Sea, Essex Pronounced : * Leigh, Dorset * Leigh, Gloucestershire * Leigh, Kent * Leigh, Staf ...

in the

1967 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Events January * January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair. * January 5 ** Spain and Romania sign an agreement in Paris, establishing full consular and ...

final on Saturday 16 January 1968. During the 1968–69 season, Edwards played full-back in Castleford's 11–22 defeat by Leeds in the

1968 Yorkshire Cup The year was highlighted by Protests of 1968, protests and other unrests that occurred worldwide. Events January–February * January 5 – "Prague Spring": Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechos ...

final on Saturday 19 October 1968. At the end of the season, Castleford won the

1969 Challenge Cup This year is notable for Apollo 11's first landing on the moon. Events January * January 4 – The Government of Spain hands over Ifni to Morocco. * January 5 **Ariana Afghan Airlines Flight 701 crashes into a house on its approach to ...

final, with Edwards playing full-back in a 11–6 victory over Salford on Saturday 17 May 1969. He also played in the 7–2 victory over Wigan in the

1970 Challenge Cup Year 197 ( CXCVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Magius and Rufinus (or, less frequently, year 950 ''Ab urbe condi ...

final on Saturday 9 May 1970 in the following season. In his final season at the club, he played full-back in the 7–11 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the

1971 Yorkshire Cup * The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses (February 25, July 22 and August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 10, and August 6). The world population increased by 2.1% this year, the highest increase in history. Events Janu ...

final on Saturday 21 August 1971. Edwards did not play for Castleford during the 1972–73 season due to a dispute with the club. He was eventually sold to Leeds for a fee of £5,000 in December 1972. In the 1973–74 season, he was transferred to Keighley. He played 21 games for Keighley during the 1974–75 season.

Representative honours

Edwards won caps for Yorkshire while at Castleford as a substitute in the 12–14 defeat by Lancashire at Salford's stadium on 3 September 1969, as a substitute in the 42–3 victory over Cumberland at Hull Kingston Rovers' stadium on 1 October 1969, playing full-back in the 15–21 defeat by Cumberland at Whitehaven's stadium on 14 September 1970, playing full-back in the 22–42 defeat by Lancashire at

's stadium on 29 September 1971, and in the 17–12 victory over Cumberland at Wakefield Trinity's stadium on 20 October 1971. Edwards won caps for Great Britain while at Castleford in 1968 against France, in 1970 against Australia, and in 1971 against New Zealand (3 matches). Edwards was selected for the Great Britain Squad while at Castleford for the

1968 Rugby League World Cup The 1968 Rugby League World Cup tournament was the fourth staging of the Rugby League World Cup, and was held in Australia and New Zealand during May and June in 1968. Contested by the men's national rugby league football teams of the two host ...

in Australia and New Zealand. However, along with Chris Young of Hull Kingston Rovers, he did not participate in any of the three matches.

References

External links

Profile at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Derek 1940s births 2020 deaths Rugby league players from Castleford Rugby league fullbacks English rugby league players Castleford Tigers players Doncaster R.L.F.C. coaches Leeds Rhinos players Keighley Cougars players Yorkshire rugby league team players Great Britain national rugby league team players