Albert Blan
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Albert Blan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 13 January 1930 Wigan, Lancashire, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 27 September 2015 (aged 85) Chorley, Lancashire, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback, Centre, Stand-off, Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Albert Blan (13 January 1930 in Wigan, Lancashire – 27 September 2015[3]) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Wigan (A-Team) and Swinton, and coached at club level for 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.[1] Blan was also a skilled place kicker whether a penalty or a conversion. Initially a fullback, until the late 1950s he usually played in the Centre, but as he lost pace he successfully moved to loose forward, 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
Swinton
Blan played his first game for
Blan played
on Saturday 27 October 1962.Blan played, and was
International honours
Blan won a cap for England while at Swinton in 1953 against France.
Coaching career
In the late 1960s/early 1970s Albert Blan coached Swinton, including an 11–2 victory over
Personal life
Blan was the younger brother of both Wigan and Salford rugby league loose forward; Jackie Blan[1] and rugby league footballer; Billy Blan.
Death
Blan died in Chorley Hospital on Sunday, 27 September 2015 aged 85 years.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Player Summary: Albert Blan". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ "The Heritage Numbers - Part 3". Swinton Lions. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 21 June 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Albert Blan – Funeral Details & Obituary via web.archive.org". swintonlionsrlfc.com. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
External links
- (archived by web.archive.org) Championship winning team of 1964 (with the Cup on his head)