The RFL today offers its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the former Lancashire and Great Britain centre David Stephenson, who played with great distinction for Salford, Wigan, Leeds and Leigh.
David began his Rugby League career Salford in 1978, and he would later return to the Willows at the back end of a career during which he picked up 12 winners medals with Wigan. Stephenson famously kicked all his side's points in that memorable World Club Challenge victory over Manly at Central Park in 1987.
During seven seasons at Wigan Stephenson played 214 games, scoring 71 tries and converting 286 goals. His final game appearance was a 1987 John Player Trophy defeat at the hands of Leeds – a club he would then join and taste Yorkshire Cup success with in 1988 to complete a winner’s medal haul in every major competition in the game.
Stephenson made his Great Britain debut in 1982 against the Australian ‘Invincibles’ at Central Park and went on to play 10 test matches - his penultimate match being GB's famous 26-12 victory over Australia at the Sydney Football stadium in 1988.
His very last appearance in Rugby League was a try-scoring appearance for Salford against Chorley in 1991.
"This news has made me so sad," said England Head Coach and Stephenson's former Wigan teammate Shaun Wane.
"Dave Stephenson looked after me as a young kid as I was getting into the first team at Wigan. I will never forget the way he treated people no matter who you were, he made everyone feel special. He was a really good bloke."
