Lance Todd Trophy

Lance Todd Trophy
Awarded for	Challenge Cup Final man of the match
Country	United Kingdom
Presented by	Reds Devils Association
First awarded	1946

The Lance Todd Trophy is awarded to the annual Challenge Cup Final's man of the match. Introduced in 1946, the trophy was named in memory of Lance Todd, the New Zealand-born player and administrator, who was killed in a road accident during the Second World War. The trophy's winner is selected by the members of the Rugby League Writers' Association present at the game. The Lance Todd Trophy is presented at a celebratory dinner at the AJ Bell Stadium, home of the Salford Red Devils. The trophy belongs to the Red Devils Association, the official body representing ex-Salford players, as of 2013 no Salford player has won this award.

The first winner of the trophy was Wakefield Trinity Centre, Billy Stott in 1946.St Helens' Sean Long made history in 2006 becoming the first player to win the Lance Todd Trophy three times (he also won in 2001 and 2004). Four players share the accolade of winning the trophy twice: Warrington's Gerry Helme in 1950 and 1954; Wigan's Andy Gregory in 1988 and 1990; and Martin Offiah in 1992 and 1994; St. Helens' Paul Wellens in 2007 (jointly) and 2008.

The first player to win the trophy on the losing side was Frank Whitcombe of Bradford Northern in the 1948 final against Wigan. he was also the first forward to win the award Robbie Paul, Gary Connolly and Kevin Sinfield have all won the award since 1996, despite each of them finishing on the losing side in their respective finals.

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