Glen Liddiard

Glen Liddiard
Personal information
Born (1969-11-28) 28 November 1969 (age 55)
Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionFullback, Five-eighth, Centre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1985–86 Oldham 21 4 0 0 16
1988–91 Parramatta Eels 46 17 12 0 92
1992 Penrith Panthers 4 1 0 0 4
1993 North Sydney 5 2 0 0 8
1994 Oldham 11 4 4 1 25
1995 South Qld Crushers 14 4 3 1 23
1996–97 Hull Sharks 20 13 0 0 52
Total 121 45 19 2 220
Source: [1][2]
RelativesDavid Liddiard (brother)

Glen Liddiard (born 28 November 1969) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s.

Beginning his career at the age of 16 playing as a winger for Oldham, Liddiard later played primarily as a fullback, five-eighth, or centre for the Parramatta Eels, the Penrith Panthers, the North Sydney Bears, another stint with Oldham, the South Queensland Crushers, and the Hull Sharks.

Early life

Born in Penrith, New South Wales, Liddiard is a Biripi (Aboriginal Australian) man through his maternal ancestry.[3] He grew up in Werrington, New South Wales, playing junior rugby league for the Colyton Colts.[3] He was a 1986 Australian Schoolboys representative player while attending Cambridge Park High School. He is the younger brother of David Liddiard.[4]

Playing career

Liddiard moved to England for the 1985–86 Northern Hemisphere winter when his older brother David was signed by Oldham. After impressing in a reserve grade game,[3] Liddiard was selected to make his debut in Oldham's first team at the age of 16 years and 17 days.[5]

From 1988 to 1991 he made 46 first-grade appearances for Parramatta in the NSWRL.

In the 1992 NSWRL season, Liddiard joined reigning premiers Penrith.[6] He was a passenger in the car crash that killed his teammate Ben Alexander on 21 June 1992.[7][8] Liddiard took leave following the crash, and shortly thereafter was reportedly pushed out of the club after missing training sessions.[9] Liddiard told The Western Weekender in 2020 that he was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.[3]

Liddiard finished his NSWRL/ARL career with one season stints at North Sydney and South Queensland, between which he played for Oldham in England.[10] He then returned to England and played with the Hull Sharks.[11]

Post-playing career

Liddiard has been an Indigenous welfare officer for the Penrith Panthers since 2012.[12][13] In 2016, he was awarded Penrith's Clubman of the Year award in recognition of his work.[14][15]

In 2024, Liddiard was the welfare officer of the Indigenous All Stars for the 2024 All Stars match.[16]

Personal life

Liddiard has three children.[3] His son Tyran played for the Aboriginal cricket team during their 2018 tour of England, which marked the 150th anniversary of the original tour by the Aboriginal team in 1868.[17]

References

  1. ^ Collis, Ian (2018). The A to Z of Rugby League Players. New Holland Publishers. ISBN 9781921024986.
  2. ^ "Glen Liddiard". Rugby League Project.
  3. ^ a b c d e Multiple sources:
  4. ^ Bradford, Brendan (1 October 2022). "The brothers built by western Sydney's biggest clubs". Code Sports. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Glen Liddiard". Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Liddiard contract". The Canberra Times. 24 December 1991. p. 17. Retrieved 10 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Alexander 'ran red light'". The Canberra Times. 23 June 1992. p. 20. Retrieved 9 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ Masters, Roy (12 September 1992). "The Return of the Chocolate Soldiers". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 March 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Sarno, Tony (16 July 1992). "Alexander and friends flee strife". Sydney Morning Herald – via NewsBank.
  10. ^ "Ex-Raider delivers last blow". The Canberra Times. 8 February 1994. p. 19. Retrieved 10 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ Hadfield, Dave (29 June 1997). "Rugby League: Hull's party on ice". The Independent.
  12. ^ "Panthers' unseen hero". Western Weekender. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Liddiard honoured for off field work". National Indigneous Radio Service. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  14. ^ "2016 Club Person of the Year". Penrith Panthers. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  15. ^ Pollard, Krystyna (6 October 2016). "Forward named winner of 2016 Merv Cartwright Medal at glittering ceremony". Penrith City Gazette. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016.
  16. ^ "Jordan Grant named for Indigenous All Stars". Penrith Panthers. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  17. ^ Knowles, Rachel (28 March 2023). "Tyran was 'so bored' playing his first cricket match. Now he's representing his people on the world stage". SBS. Retrieved 31 March 2024.