Les Tonks
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Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Leslie Tonks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | second ¼ 1942 Pontefract district, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 17 November 2017 (aged 75) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Leslie Tonks (birth registered second ¼ 1942[1] in Pontefract district – 17 November 2017[2]) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at club level for Featherstone Rovers (Heritage № 423), Hull Kingston Rovers and Wakefield Trinity (Heritage № 804), as a prop, i.e. number 8 or 10, during the era of contested scrums.
Playing career[]
Tonks made his début for the Featherstone Rovers on Saturday 9 September 1961.[3]
Challenge Cup Final appearances[]
Tonks played left-prop, i.e. number 8, in Featherstone Rovers' 17-12 victory over Barrow in the 1966–67 Challenge Cup Final during the 1966–67 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1967, in front of a crowd of 76,290. He also played left-prop in the 33-14 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1972–73 Challenge Cup Final during the 1972–73 season at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 12 May 1973, in front of a crowd of 72,395, and played left-prop in the 9-24 defeat by Warrington in the 1973–74 Challenge Cup Final during the 1973–74 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1974, in front of a crowd of 77,400, he is the only player to play in three Challenge Cup]] finals for Featherstone Rovers.
County Cup Final appearances[]
Tonks played left-prop, i.e. number 8, in Featherstone Rovers' 9-12 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1969–70 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1969–70 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 20 September 1969.
Hull KR[]
Tonks spent the 1970/71 season on loan to Hull Kingston Rovers, playing in two matches.
Testimonial match[]
Tonks' benefit season and testimonial match at the Featherstone Rovers took place during the 1972–73 season.[citation needed]
Club career[]
In September 1974, Tonks followed coach Peter Fox and joined Wakefield Trinity.[4] He retired after the 1975/76 season.
Honoured at Featherstone Rovers[]
Tonks is a Featherstone Rovers' Hall of Fame inductee.[5]
Genealogical information[]
Tonks' marriage to Brenda (née Noble) was registered during fourth ¼ 1963 in Pontefract district.[6] They had children; Alan Tonks (birth registered during third ¼ 1966 (age 54–55) in Wakefield district), and Kay Lesley Tonks (birth registered during first ¼ 1973 (age 47–48) in Pontefract district).
References[]
- ^ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ^ "Death of Featherstone Rovers legend Les Tonks". pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ Bailey, Ron (20 September 2001). Images of Sport - Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Football Club. The History Press. ISBN 0752422952
- ^ "Les Tonks". marklaspalmas.blogspot.co.nz. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ "Featherstone Rovers legends added to Hall of Fame". pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ^ "Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
External links[]
- 1942 births
- 2017 deaths
- English rugby league players
- Featherstone Rovers players
- Hull Kingston Rovers players
- Rugby league props
- Sportspeople from Pontefract
- Wakefield Trinity players