Neil James
FullnameNeil A. James
Birth date14 February 1961
Birth placeCastleford, England
Death date17 December 2014 (aged 53)
Club 1Castleford
Year1start1979
Year1end85
Appearances 1111
Tries 117
Goals 10
Fieldgoals 10
Points 160
Club 2Halifax
Year2start1985
Year2end90
Appearances 2122
Tries 219
Goals 20
Fieldgoals 20
Points 276
Club 3Gold Coast-Tweed
Year3start1988
Appearances 32
Tries 30
Goals 30
Fieldgoals 30
Points 30
Club 4Leeds
Year4start1990
Year4end92
Appearances 42
Tries 40
Goals 40
Fieldgoals 40
Points 40
Club 5Sheffield Eagles
Year5start1992
Year5end93
Appearances 520
Tries 50
Goals 50
Fieldgoals 50
Points 50
TeamaGreat Britain
Yearastart1986
Appearancesa1
Triesa1
Goalsa0
Fieldgoalsa0
Pointsa4
Newyes
Retiredyes
Updated2 May 2012
Source[1]

Neil James (14 February 1961 – 17 December 2014) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Castleford, Halifax, Gold Coast-Tweed Giants, Leeds and Sheffield Eagles, as a , or .

Background

James was born in Castleford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he died aged 53.[2]

Playing career

Castleford

James played as a right- in Castleford's 2-13 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1983 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1983–84 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1983.

Halifax

In 1985, James was loaned out to Halifax. The deal was later made permanent with Castleford receiving Alan Shillito and a fee of £5,000 in exchange.[3]

James made 34-appearances (including 4 as an interchange/substitute) in the in Halifax's victory in the Championship during the 1985–86 season, scoring 3-tries in League matches and 1 in the Premiership Trophy.

James appeared as a substitute (replacing Ben Beevers on 70-minutes) in Halifax's 19-18 victory over St. Helens in the 1987 Challenge Cup Final during the 1986–87 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1987, and played left- and scored a try in the 12-32 defeat by Wigan in the 1988 Challenge Cup Final during the 1987–88 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 30 April 1988.

In April 1990, he was signed by Leeds for a fee of £20,000.[4]

International honours

James won a cap for Great Britain while at Halifax, playing right- scored a try, and was man of the match in the 24-10 victory over France at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 1 March 1986.[1]

References

  1. ^ "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Leeds Rhinos: Young starlet Golding pens new four-year deal". Yorkshire Evening Post. 21 December 2014. Archived 24 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Wembley Star, Neil James Recently Passed Away". Halifax RLFC. Archived 18 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  4. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (21 April 1990). "Castleford list Ward but fee might scare all but the brave". The Guardian. p. 19.