David R. Bolton (27 April 1937 – 21 January 2021) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, who later became a coach in Australia's NSWRFL premiership. An international representative for Great Britain whose usual position was in the halves, Bolton is one of a handful of Britons to win championships both in his home country and in Australia.[1][2]
Bolton also played in Australia for the Sydney club Balmain. With them he reached the 1966 NSWRFL season's grand final against St George. Bolton played at number 7 in his sides loss against the all-conquering Dragons team of the era. As Balmain had gone through the first half of the 1966 season undefeated, they earned the right to play the Great Britain touring team. With Bolton playing no small part, Balmain defeated Great Britain. He featured in the 1969 season's Grand Final-winning Balmain team. This made him only the second Englishman to play in a grand final-winning team in Australia. Bolton retired from playing in 1970 after being unable to keep his first grade spot in 1970.[7] He is often remembered as a prolific kicker of drop goals, at a time when they were worth 2 points. He was a great drop goal kicking asset to the club, he kicked 21 drop goals for Balmain during his era, some of them long range, and many of the drop goals were the difference between Balmain winning and losing.[6]
Bolton was inducted into the Balmain Tigers' Hall of Fame in 2005. Three years later, he was retrospectively conferred the Clive Churchill Medal for his performance in the 1969 Grand Final.[9] He died on 21 January 2021 at the age of 83,[9] after suffering a long illness.[7]
Referencesedit
^ ab"Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
^ ab"Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Video 'Rugby League Final 1963' at britishpathe.com
December 15, 2023
dave, bolton, other, people, with, same, name, david, bolton, disambiguation, david, bolton, april, 1937, january, 2021, english, professional, rugby, league, footballer, played, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, later, became, coach, australia, nswrfl, premiership, intern. For other people with the same name see David Bolton disambiguation David R Bolton 27 April 1937 21 January 2021 was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s 1960s and 1970s who later became a coach in Australia s NSWRFL premiership An international representative for Great Britain whose usual position was in the halves Bolton is one of a handful of Britons to win championships both in his home country and in Australia 1 2 Dave BoltonPersonal informationFull nameDavid R BoltonBorn 1937 04 27 27 April 1937Wigan district EnglandDied21 January 2021 2021 01 21 aged 83 Playing informationPositionStand off Scrum halfClubYears Team Pld T G FG P1954 64 Wigan 300 127 4 0 3861965 70 Balmain 78 5 7 21 711968 69 Blackpool Borough 5Total 383 132 11 21 457RepresentativeYears Team Pld T G FG P1956 57 Lancashire 21958 63 Great Britain 23 9 0 0 3Coaching informationClubYears Team Gms W D L W 1973 74 Parramatta Eels 44 11 0 33 25Source 1 2 3 Contents 1 Playing career 1 1 Britain 1 2 Australia 2 Later life 3 References 4 External linksPlaying career editBritain edit During the 1957 58 Northern Rugby Football League season Bolton played at stand off in Wigan s 8 13 defeat by Oldham in the 1957 Lancashire Cup Final at Station Road Swinton on Saturday 19 October 1957 Later that season Bolton played stand off in Wigan s 13 9 victory over Workington Town in the 1958 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium London on Saturday 10 May 1958 in front of a crowd of 66 109 4 and played stand off and scored a try in the 30 13 victory over Hull F C in the 1959 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 9 May 1959 in front of a crowd of 79 811 5 He also featured in the club s 1960 Championship Final win 6 During the 1959 60 Kangaroo tour Bolton played for Great Britain at stand off in all three Ashes series Test matches During the 1963 64 Kangaroo tour Bolton again played for Great Britain at stand off in the first and third Ashes series Test matches 7 Australia edit Bolton also played in Australia for the Sydney club Balmain With them he reached the 1966 NSWRFL season s grand final against St George Bolton played at number 7 in his sides loss against the all conquering Dragons team of the era As Balmain had gone through the first half of the 1966 season undefeated they earned the right to play the Great Britain touring team With Bolton playing no small part Balmain defeated Great Britain He featured in the 1969 season s Grand Final winning Balmain team This made him only the second Englishman to play in a grand final winning team in Australia Bolton retired from playing in 1970 after being unable to keep his first grade spot in 1970 7 He is often remembered as a prolific kicker of drop goals at a time when they were worth 2 points He was a great drop goal kicking asset to the club he kicked 21 drop goals for Balmain during his era some of them long range and many of the drop goals were the difference between Balmain winning and losing 6 Later life editAfter retiring Bolton remained in Australia 8 He coached Sydney club Parramatta for the 1973 and 1974 NSWRFL seasons 7 He went on to serve as assistant coach to Tim Sheens at Penrith in the mid 1980s 9 He also worked as a sports commentator and writer 6 7 Bolton was inducted into the Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame in 2005 Three years later he was retrospectively conferred the Clive Churchill Medal for his performance in the 1969 Grand Final 9 He died on 21 January 2021 at the age of 83 9 after suffering a long illness 7 References edit a b Statistics at rugbyleagueproject org rugbyleagueproject org 31 December 2017 Retrieved 1 January 2018 a b Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject org rugbyleagueproject org 31 December 2017 Retrieved 1 January 2018 Thomson Doug 25 January 2021 A hero in Wigan and Sydney Rugby Leaguer amp League Express No 3 261 1957 1958 Challenge Cup Final wigan rlfans com 31 December 2011 Retrieved 1 January 2012 1958 1959 Challenge Cup Final wigan rlfans com 31 December 2012 Retrieved 1 January 2013 a b c Wilkinson Phil 22 January 2021 Tributes following death of Wigan legend Dave Bolton Wigan Post Archived from the original on 22 January 2021 Retrieved 22 January 2021 a b c d e Williams Terry 22 January 2021 Vale former Great Britain and Balmain great David Bolton New South Wales Rugby League Archived from the original on 22 January 2021 Retrieved 22 January 2021 McDonnell Seamus 22 January 2021 Wigan rugby league legend Dave Bolton dies aged 83 Manchester Evening News Retrieved 22 January 2021 a b c Dave Bolton Wigan rugby league legend dies aged 83 BBC News 22 January 2021 Retrieved 22 January 2021 Sporting positionsPreceded byIan Walsh1971 1972 Coach nbsp Parramatta Eels1973 1974 Succeeded byNorm Provan1975External links editStatistics at nrlstats com Statistics at stats rleague com Statistics at wigan rlfans com Video Rugby League Final 1963 at britishpathe com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dave Bolton amp oldid 1150547419, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
