Former Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity, Hull KR hero Brian Lockwood dies, aged 78
Former Castleford, Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR great
Brian Lockwood
has died, following an illness, aged 78.
A four-timr Challenge Cup winner, with three different clubs, Lockwood will be remembered as one of the finest forwards of his generation. Though far from a giant, at around 5ft 11ins, he was a talented ball-handler and a solid textbook-style defender,
Born in Castleford, Lockwood made 231 appearances for his hometown club from April, 1966 to May, 1975, including back-to-back Challenge Cup final victories against Salford in 1969 and Wigan the following year. He had spells in Australia with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Balmain Tigers before returning to England as Trinity’s player-coach in 1976.
Lockwood signed for Hull KR in 1978 and was a First Division champion the following year. The last of his 76 appearances for Hull KR was the 1980 victory over Hull FC at Wembley when he became the first – and so far only – Robins player to win the Lance Todd Trophy as Challenge Cup final man of the match
After a brief stint with Oldham, he joined Widnes in January, 1981 and was back at Wembley four months later, picking up his fourth Cup winner’s medal in a victory against Hull KR. His fifth Challenge Cup final appearance came the following season when Widnes lost to Hull in an Elland Road replay, following a draw at the national stadium.
At international level, Lockwood was a World Cup winner with Great Britain, against Australia, in 1972. As well as nine Great Britain appearances, he was capped three times by England. Paying tribute, Hull KR owner, Neil Hudgell said: “The loss of Brian is a real blow to everyone at Hull KR.
“He was a stellar player of his generation and our only ever Lance Todd Trophy winner from the 1980 Challenge Cup final, ensuring his legacy in our history will endure. He was in regular contact with the club until very recently, and his presence will be missed by all who knew him. We send our love and condolences to his family and many close friends.”