Derek Turner

Derek "Rocky" Turner (18 November 1932 – 31 July 2015) was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and coach of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, England, Yorkshire and Great Britain & France, and at club level for Hull Kingston Rovers, Oldham and Wakefield Trinity (captain) (Heritage № 654), with whom he won three Challenge Cup Finals, as a Second-row, i.e. number 11 or 12, or usually Loose forward/Lock, i.e. number 13.

Turner played his early rugby league at Cathedral Boys School, Wakefield, then Alverthorpe Youth Club, Balne Lane ARLFC, Ossett ARLFC, and Shaw Cross ARLFC, he began his professional rugby league career at Hull Kingston Rovers. In 1955, Turner was transferred from Hull Kingston Rovers to Oldham for £2,750 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £142,000 in 2009).

Turner made his début for Oldham against Hunslet on 3 September 1955. He was a member of the Oldham team that found success in the Championship of 1956–57, the Lancashire County Cup Finals of 1956–57, 1957–58 & 1958–59, and the Lancashire County League of 1956–57 & 1957–58. Whilst at Oldham, Turner won 11 of his 24 Great Britain caps, winning the Ashes in 1956. In March 1959, Turner was transferred from Oldham to Wakefield Trinity for £8,000 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £338,000 in 2009).