Gareth Stephens

This article is about the 1990-2000s rugby league player for Leeds, Castleford, Sheffield, Halifax & York. For the 1960s-80s rugby league player for Castleford, Manly, Wigan, Warrington, Leigh, Halifax & York, see Gary Stephens.

Gareth Stephens
Personal information
Full nameGareth Stephens[1]
Born (1974-04-15) 15 April 1974 (age 50)
Pontefract, England[1]
Playing information
PositionStand-off, Scrum-half
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1991–94 Leeds 35 5 0 0 20
1994–96 Castleford 26 4 0 0 16
1996–97 Hull FC 19 3 0 0 12
1997(loan) →Workington Town 0 0 0 0 0
1997–99 Sheffield Eagles 28 5 0 0 20
2000 Halifax Blue Sox
2001 York Wasps 4 0 0 0 0
Total 112 17 0 0 68
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1992–95 Great Britain U-21s 6 2 0 0 8
1995–98 Wales 4 2 0 0 8
Source: [2]
FatherGary Stephens
RelativesDean Hanson (cousin)

Gareth Stephens (born 15 April 1974) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a stand-off or scrum-half in the 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain (Under-21s), and Wales, and at club level for Leeds where he signed a record schoolboy contract and made his first team debut at the age of 17, Castleford Tigers, Hull FC, Sheffield Eagles and York Wasps.[2]

Background

Stephens was born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England, and he is the son of Gary Stephens,[3] former rugby league international footballer of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Gareth Stephens is also the cousin of Dean Hanson,[4] the rugby league prop, second-row, or loose forward of the 1980s and 1990s for Halifax and the Illawarra Steelers.

Playing career

Club career

Stephens started his career at Leeds, making his début in September 1991.[5] He was signed by Castleford for £65000 in July 1994.[6] He went on to play for Hull FC, Sheffield Eagles, Halifax Blue Sox and York Wasps.[7][8]

International honours

Stephens won caps at Great Britain academy and U21 level along with four caps for Wales between 1995 and 1998, including at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ Robinson, John (9 February 1997). "RL bid to keep Lydon at 'home'". The People. London. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Dean Hanson - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  5. ^ Whalley, John (23 September 1991). "Rugby League: Saints keep unbeaten run". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 39.
  6. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (12 July 1994). "Castleford invest in future by signing Stephens and Goddard". The Guardian. London. p. 15.
  7. ^ "Extended Shay Stay For Gareth". Halifax Courier. 8 March 2000. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Backs to the future". Telegraph & Argus. Newsquest Media Group. 26 August 2000. Retrieved 26 January 2015.