26 Facts About Johnny Whiteley

John William Whiteley MBE was an English professional rugby league footballer and coach.

Johnny Whiteley played his entire club career with Hull FC making over 400 appearances between 1950 and 1965.

Johnny Whiteley represented Great Britain at international level, winning the Rugby League World Cup with the team in 1954 and 1960.

Johnny Whiteley began his coaching career while still playing at Hull in 1963 and remained in the role after retiring as player.

Johnny Whiteley resigned in 1970 and joined Hull Kingston Rovers, where he coached until 1972.

Johnny Whiteley coached the Great Britain national team on two occasions.

Johnny Whiteley grew up in Hull during the Second World War, during which his house was hit by a bomb in the Hull Blitz.

Johnny Whiteley began playing rugby league for Hull Boys' Club when the club reformed in 1946.

Rather than offering him a signing-on fee, Johnny Whiteley was promised a place in the squad the following game.

Johnny Whiteley played in three successive Yorkshire Cup finals for Hull between 1953 and 1955, but was on the losing side on each occasion.

Johnny Whiteley became a player-coach at Hull in 1963, before retiring as a player in 1965.

Johnny Whiteley played 15 seasons for Hull making 417 appearances and scoring 156 tries and 2 goals for at total of 472 points.

Johnny Whiteley was selected for Great Britain squad while at Hull for the 1954 Rugby League World Cup in France.

Johnny Whiteley was a member of the last Great Britain team to beat Australia on home soil in the 1959 test series, scoring the try that beat the Aussies that year.

Johnny Whiteley scored a match-winning try against the Aussies in the last few minutes which gave Great Britain the 1960 Ashes.

Johnny Whiteley was a member of the 1962 Great Britain team which won the Ashes in Australia.

Johnny Whiteley carried on coaching at Hull after his last appearance as a player.

Johnny Whiteley moved across the river to Hull Kingston Rovers as coach in 1970 and stayed until 1972 when he left due to conflict with the Hull KR Board of Directors.

Johnny Whiteley left Hull on his return to coach Hull Kingston Rovers until leaving them in 1972.

Johnny Whiteley then carried on coaching the Yorkshire Origin side for 12 years.

Johnny Whiteley was then recalled to coach Great Britain in 1980 for two years.

Johnny Whiteley later set up the West Hull amateur rugby league club.

Johnny Whiteley was inducted into the Hull FC Hall of Fame in 1992, and joined the Rugby Football League Roll of Honour in November 2004, having been nominated by both Hull and Hull Kingston Rovers.

Johnny Whiteley was made an MBE for services to rugby league and the community in the 2006 New Year Honours list.

Johnny Whiteley was awarded an Honorary Degree from Hull University in 2012.

Johnny Whiteley died on 13 February 2022, at the age of 91.