John Stopford (rugby league)

John "Johnny" Stopford (23 August 1936 – 21 August 1998) born in Wigan, Lancashire, was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s, and 1960s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Swinton, as a Left-Wing, i.e. number 5, he died in Wigan. Johnny Stopford formed a highly successful Left-Wing partnership with his Centre and fellow Great Britain international Alan Buckley. Stopford toured Australasia in 1966 together with Lions teammates Buckley, Ken Gowers and Dave Robinson.

Johnny Stopford won caps for Great Britain while at Swinton in 1961 against France, in 1963 against France and Australia (2 matches), in 1964 against France (2 matches), in 1965 against France, and New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1966 against France (2 matches), and Australia.

About Johnny Stopford's time, there was Swinton's 9-15 defeat by St. Helens in the 1960 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 October 1960, the 9-25 defeat by St. Helens in the 1961 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1961–62 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 November 1961, the 4-7 defeat by St. Helens in the 1962 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1962–63 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 27 October 1962, and the 4-12 defeat by St. Helens in the 1964 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1964–65 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 24 October 1964.