Lance Todd Trophy
| Lance Todd Trophy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded for |
Challenge Cup Final man of the match |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Presented by | Reds Devils Association |
| First awarded | 1946 |
The Lance Todd Trophy is awarded to the annual Challenge Cup Final's man of the match.[1] Introduced in 1946, the trophy was named in memory of Lance Todd, the New Zealand-born player and administrator, who was killed in a road accident during the Second World War.[2] The trophy's winner is selected by the members of the Rugby League Writers' Association present at the game. The Lance Todd Trophy is presented at a celebratory dinner at the AJ Bell Stadium, home of the Salford Red Devils. The trophy belongs to the Red Devils Association, the official body representing ex-Salford players, as of 2013 no Salford player has won this award.[1]
The first winner of the trophy was Wakefield Trinity centre, Billy Stott in 1946.[1][3] St Helens' Sean Long made history in 2006 becoming the first player to win the Lance Todd Trophy three times (he also won in 2001 and 2004). Four players share the accolade of winning the trophy twice: Warrington's Gerry Helme in 1950 and 1954; Wigan's Andy Gregory in 1988 and 1990; and Martin Offiah in 1992 and 1994; St. Helens' Paul Wellens in 2007 (jointly) and 2008.
The first player to win the trophy on the losing side was Frank Whitcombe of Bradford Northern in the 1948 final against Wigan. he was also the first forward to win the award Robbie Paul, Gary Connolly and Kevin Sinfield have all won the award since 1996, despite each of them finishing on the losing side in their respective finals.
The youngest player to win the trophy was Huddersfield's Peter Ramsden who, on his 19th birthday, won it in 1953.[4]
The trophy has been shared on only two occasions. In 1965 by Ray Ashby (Wigan) & Brian Gabbitas (Hunslet), and in 2007 by Paul Wellens (St. Helens) & Leon Pryce (St. Helens).
† = Won Lance Todd Trophy Whilst on Losing Side
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 RFL. "Lance Todd Trophy". Rugby Football League. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
- ↑ "The History Of Rugby League". Rugby League Information. napit.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ BBC Sport (2008-08-26). "Lance Todd Trophy winners". BBC. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- ↑ news.bbc.co.uk (11 May 2004). "Cup final facts". BBC Sport (UK: BBC). Retrieved 6 March 2011.
- Lance Todd Wigan Career Page on the Wigan RL Fansite.
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