John Sheridan (rugby league)

John Sheridan (24 November 1933 – 13 November 2012) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at club level for Lock Lane ARLFC, and Castleford (captain) (Heritage № 382), as a centre, or loose forward, i.e. number 3 or 4, or 13., during the era of contested scrums,^[2][3][4] and coached at club level for Castleford, Leeds and Doncaster.^[5][6]

Honoured at Castleford Tigers[]

Sheridan is a Tigers Hall of Fame Inductee.^[7] He joined Castleford from local side Lock Lane, choosing his home town club over Hunslet F.C..

During the early part of his career he was a strong running centre who regularly topped the club's try scoring lists. After the 1958/59 season John moved into the pack, and took up the loose forward role. He was named captain as the club began to climb the league table in the early 1960s. Injuries took a toll, and he moved into coaching. From 1964 to 1982, Sheridan was "A" team coach at Castleford, winning nine Yorkshire Senior Championships, and six Yorkshire Senior Cups. Sheridan was the coach of Castleford, his first game in charge was on 18 August 1972, and his last game in charge was on 2 May 1973,^[6] and then spent the following year at arch rivals Leeds before returning to Wheldon Road. He returned to coaching at Doncaster, and turned the club around. He was voted the most influential person in the club's history by the Dons fans.^{[citation needed]}

Background[]

Sheridan was born in Pontefract,^[8] of Irish, and English parentage, and grew up in the Wheldon Lane area of Castleford in a large Catholic family. As part of his National Service he joined the Royal Air Force for two years, mainly working as a bar man in the officers mess, and playing Rugby Union. Once back in Castleford he signed for Castleford, and also worked in industry alongside his rugby league career.

Personal life[]

His marriage to Hilda (née Hunter) (birth registered during second ¼ 1934 in Pontefract district) was registered in fourth ¼ 1957 in Pontefract district^[9] The couple had two daughters; Gail M. Sheridan (birth registered during first ¼ 1959 in Pontefract district), and Ann. Also grandfather to Thomas, Julieann, Charley, Nikki, Daniel Kay and Bryony. Great-grandad to Bethany, Ruby and Hollie-Ann.

References[]

Sporting positions
Preceded by Clive Sullivan 1983–1984	Coach Doncaster RLFC 1984–1989	Succeeded by David Sampson 1990–1991
Preceded by Harry Poole 1971–1972	Coach Castleford Tigers 1972–1973	Succeeded by 1973–1974

External links[]

• Search for "Sheridan" at rugbyleagueproject.org
• Get well soon John!