John Kirkpatrick

OVERALL STATISTICS

BIRTHAGESIGNED ONFROM
03-01-1979
N/A
01-09-1999
Preston Grasshoppers RU
DEBUTLAST MATCHLEFT
26-08-2001 v Warrington Wolves
Castleford Tigers
2003- London Broncos
CAREERAPPEARANCES (SUBS)
2001-2003
23 (11)
TRIESGOALSDGOALSPTS
11
0
0
44

Biography of John Kirkpatrick



HERITAGE NO : 1109
Being a Preston lad and from a family that played the dreaded Rugby Union (Grandfather and Father played for Preston Grasshoppers) he started playing for them at the age of 8 years in The Mini Junior teams. He captained each year team through to Colts team at the age of 18years. At 19 years he played for the Grasshoppers first team in Rugby Unions Jewson League two - North. At the end of that season Grasshoppers were promoted to National League One.

John was also selected to play for the Lancashire County Rugby Union Clubs sides at each year group from 14 years and also captained those teams. In 1999 he played for the Lancashire Under 21 side and was their Vice Captain.

His school Hutton Grammar School in Preston played Rugby Union and he played for the school at each year level and was also Captain of those teams.

In April 1999 out of the blue Harry Wellens, Paul's Dad approached John and asked him to train with the Saints under 21's side to see if he liked it and if he could adapt to the needs, fitness and skills of Rugby League. He trained for a few weeks and got a chance to play for the Saints Alliance side under the astute tutelage of John Myler. John was supposed to return to the Grasshopper fold for the next Rugby Union season but it became clear that Rugby League and Saints had stolen his heart and loyalty. His love of the game is just as strong today. He learned his trade with the Alliance team and was a member of the team that played in the 2000 Rugby League Alliance Grand Final against Wigan Warriors.

He was studying at the University of Central Lancashire for degree in 'Leisure and Sports Management' and fitting in his training in with his studies. Saints offered him a part time contract to accommodate both training and studies and he was delighted at the opportunity to play with such accomplished players and at such a high level. He played his first (d'but) Super League game at Wilderspool on August Bank Holiday Monday, 2001 on the right wing and scored in the corner from a Kieron Cunningham pass. He touched down again but the referee chalked it off for a forward pass.

Once John had finished his studies and got his degree Saints offered him a full time playing contract and he made about 28 first team/Super League appearances for Saints and on one of them scored a hat trick of tries against Leeds Rhinos. He played in the side that played the New Zealand test team and also in the cross code game between Sale Rugby Union and Saints.

In June 2003 he went on loan from Saints to Halifax for a month and played four Super League games for them. At the end of that season Saints made it known that they were not going to renew his contract and so he signed for London Broncos on a two-year deal. John looks back on his time in London with mixed feelings. He suffered some untimely injuries which kept him out of the team at crucial points and although he played many Super League games for the Broncos - as one of the relatively few British born players - catching the coach's eye often proved difficult. At the end of the 2005 Season John returned north to Preston.

He has in the last two months signed a playing contract for Widnes Vikings and is enjoying his Rugby League again. John still has ambitions within the game and now that he is restored to full fitness he is looking forward to the future.

Prepared 29th May 2006

Courtesy the Kirkpatrick Family.

Update by SHS

John went on to play 19 matches in 2006 for the Vikings, scoring 7 tries.


SEASON STATISTICS

Season (Official Matches)TriesGoalsDGoalsMatches
20012 0 0 6
20026 0 0 11
20033 0 0 6
TOTALS:11 0 0 23
Season (Other Matches)TriesGoalsDGoalsMatches
20020002
20030002
TOTALS:0004

ALL MATCHES

DateMatchPosOpponentsCompVenueFTFTOTGDG
26th Aug 2001 1
D
 2 Warrington Wolves SL A 28 28 1 VIEW
31st Aug 2001 2
W
 5 Castleford Tigers SL H 44 20 VIEW
7th Sep 2001 3
L
 5 Leeds Rhinos SL H 18 23 VIEW
14th Sep 2001 4
L
 14 Wigan Warriors SL A 6 40 VIEW
22nd Sep 2001 5
W
 14 Leeds Rhinos SLEPO H 38 30 VIEW
28th Sep 2001 6
W
 14 Hull FC SLESF A 24 20 1 VIEW
9th Jan 2002 --
L
 2 Warrington Wolves* Fr A 4 48 VIEW
28th Jan 2002 --
W
 14 Widnes Vikings* Fr H 24 10 VIEW
28th Mar 2002 7
L
 5 London Broncos SL A 6 40 VIEW
20th Apr 2002 8
L
 5 Bradford Bulls SL A 22 54 2 VIEW
3rd May 2002 9
W
 2 Halifax Blue Sox SL H 38 6 VIEW
12th May 2002 10
W
 14 Warrington Wolves SL A 44 36 VIEW
19th May 2002 11
W
 14 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats SL A 48 6 VIEW
7th Jun 2002 12
W
 14 Leeds Rhinos SL A 41 14 VIEW
21st Jun 2002 13
W
 5 Castleford Tigers SL H 26 16 VIEW
9th Aug 2002 14
W
 14 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats SL H 34 2 VIEW
23rd Aug 2002 15
W
 5 Halifax Blue Sox SL H 64 0 1 VIEW
30th Aug 2002 16
W
 5 Leeds Rhinos SL H 38 18 3 VIEW
25th Oct 2002 17
L
 5 New Zealand Tour H 26 38 VIEW
12th Jan 2003 --
L
 5 Barrow* Fr A 16 18 VIEW
4th Feb 2003 --
L
 1 Widnes Vikings* Fr A 6 24 VIEW
21st Feb 2003 18
W
 5 Bradford Bulls SL H 46 22 2 VIEW
28th Feb 2003 19
W
 1 Batley Bulldogs PCC5 H 38 12 1 VIEW
8th Mar 2003 --NPS
W
 14 Widnes Vikings SL A 22 4 VIEW
11th Jul 2003 20
W
 14 Castleford Tigers SL A 46 32 VIEW
18th Jul 2003 21
W
 14 Huddersfield Giants SL H 22 18 VIEW
3rd Aug 2003 22
W
 14 London Broncos SL A 30 18 VIEW
9th Aug 2003 23
W
 14 Hull FC SL H 28 18 VIEW
*Unofficial Match. **Non Playing Sub.
WINS : 19 | LOSSES : 8 | DRAWS : 1

GALLERY





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