Alan Prescott

For the rugby league footballer of the 1970s for Widnes, see Alan Prescott (rugby league).

Alan Prescott

Personal information
Born	(1927-06-17)17 June 1927 Widnes, England
Died	Wigan, England
Playing information
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position	Wing, Prop, Loose forward
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
	Halifax
1949–60	St Helens	404	31	0	0	93
	Total	404	31	0	0	93
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1950–56	England	11	0	0	0	0
1951–58	Great Britain	28	5	0	0	15
Coaching information
Club
Years	Team	Gms	W	D	L	W%
1960–61	St Helens

George Alan Prescott (17 June 1927 in Widnes, Lancashire – 20 September 1998) was an English rugby league footballer and coach of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, playing initially at Wing, and then later at Prop, Second-row, or Loose forward/Lock. In 404 matches for St. Helens. Prescott scored 31 tries for a total of 93 points. He played 14 times for Lancashire, 12 times for England, once for Rugby League XIII, once for British Empire, and made 31 Great Britain appearances (10 as captain).

Prescott made his senior rugby league début on the Wing for Halifax at the age of 15.

St. Helens signed him from Halifax on 11 January 1949 and he made his first team début four days later against Belle Vue Rangers. Prescott was captain and Lance Todd Trophy winner at Wembley in 1956.

His test début against Australia was at Headingley in 1952. When he arrived in Australia as captain of Great Britain in 1956, he had not missed a Test against Australia since making his début. He is best remembered for leading his side to victory over Australia at Brisbane in 1958, having broken his arm after just four minutes but continuing to play. The match became known as "Prescott’s Match" or "The Battle of Brisbane".

Alan Prescott represented Great Britain & France in the 37–31 victory over New Zealand at Carlaw Park, Auckland on 3 July 1957,

His final appearance for St. Helens was against Halifax on 19 March 1960. He took over from Jim Sullivan as St. Helens' coach. Alan coached St. Helens to Lancashire Cup success and a Challenge Cup win over Wigan in 1961.

Playing career

International honours

Alan Prescott also represented Great Britain while at St. Helens between 1952 and 1956 against France (3 non-Test matches).

Challenge Cup final appearances

Alan Prescott played Left-Prop, i.e. number 8, in St. Helens' 10-15 defeat by Huddersfield in the 1953 Challenge Cup final during the 1952-53 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 25 April 1953.

County Cup final appearances

Alan Prescott played Left-Prop, i.e. number 8, in St. Helens' 5-22 defeat by Leigh in the 1952 Lancashire Cup final during the 1952–53 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 29 November 1952, played Left-Prop in the 16-8 victory over Wigan in the 1953 Lancashire Cup final during the 1953–54 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 24 October 1953, played Left-Prop in the 3-10 defeat by Oldham in the 1956 Lancashire Cup final during the 1956–57 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 20 October 1956, and played Right-Prop, i.e. number 10, in the 5-4 defeat by Warrington in the 1959 Lancashire Cup final during the 1959–60 season at Central Park, Wigan Saturday 31 October 1959.

External links

• Alan Prescott at eraofthebiff.com
• Alan Prescott at rlhalloffame.org.uk
• Profile at saints.org.uk
• England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk
• Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk
• U.K. League Hooker in Doubt
• Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org
• Obituary: Alan Prescott