Mick Burke

Michael Burke Was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, and 1980s. A Great Britain, and England international representative fullback, he played his club rugby for Widnes, with whom he won two Challenge Cups and two Lancashire County Cups, and Oldham.

After playing rugby union in his youth for Waterloo R.F.C., Burke turned professional and started playing rugby league for Widnes in 1978. Playing mostly on the wing in his first season, Burke helped his club to win the RFL Lancashire Cup|Lancashire]] [[Rugby league county cups|County Cup, the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy and the Challenge Cup. During the 1978–79 season Burke played on the wing and scored 3 conversions in Widnes' 15-13 victory over Workington Town in the 1978 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 7 October 1978. He also kicked the winning penalty goal for Widnes in a match during 1978 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France against Australia. Burke played stand-off half, and scored a try and 2-conversions in Widnes 13-7 victory over St. Helens in the 1978 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1978–79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Tuesday 12 December 1978. Mick Burke played on the wing and scored 3 conversions in Widnes' 16-4 victory over Warrington in the 1978–79 John Player Trophy Final during the 1978–79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 28 April 1979. Burke played on the wing, scoring a try, and 4-conversions in Widnes' 12-3 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1979 Challenge Cup Final during the 1978–79 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1979. That season Burke not only broke Ray Dutton's goal-scoring record, with 140 goals from his 47 games, but also Harry Dawson's long-standing points record for a season.