28 Facts About Roger Millward

Roger Millward was an English rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s, and coached in the 1980s and 1990s.

Roger Millward's ability placed him in the top bracket of rugby league halves to have ever played the game.

Roger Millward was born in Castleford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Roger Millward began his professional career in September 1964, signing for his home town club Castleford.

Roger Millward made his debut on 3 October 1964 against Dewsbury Celtic, and won his first domestic honours in 1965 with Castleford picking up the Floodlit Trophy.

Roger Millward played in the position of Stand-off and, due to the importance of such a position in rugby league, and due to the fact there were many more experienced players in the Castleford side at that time Roger Millward found it hard to break into the first team for any length of time.

In 1969 at the age of 21 Roger Millward was given the captaincy of Hull Kingston Rovers, and was voted the supporters' player of the year for the second time as well as being honoured with the title of Rugby League Players No 6 "Player of the Year".

Roger Millward made 14 appearances during his time in Sydney, and scored one try as well as kicking 17 points for the then struggling club before returning to Hull.

In 1977 Roger Millward was named as player-coach of Hull Kingston Rovers after the unfortunate death of the club's former manager Harry Poole.

Roger Millward was again voted the supporters' player of the season.

Roger Millward retired from rugby league a year after the historic challenge cup victory whilst playing for Hull Kingston Rovers' A Team against a Batley A Team.

Roger Millward went on tour with Great Britain a total of five times and toured with the England National Team on one occasion, captaining in both World Cup tournaments.

Roger Millward's international career was important as he was an integral member of Great Britain's last Ashes winning Tour to Australia in 1970 and the last time any series was won against the Australians.

Roger Millward played in the 1967 Test Series against the Kangaroo tourists in Britain, and the 1968 World Cup, both campaigns being unsuccessful.

Roger Millward was overlooked in favour of former Castleford club mate Alan Hardisty for the first Test against the Australians.

Again, Roger Millward rose to the occasion: with approximately five-minutes to go he scored the match and series winning try on the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Thereafter, Roger Millward played with distinction for Great Britain in various internationals against the other nations, but a winning series against the Australians proved elusive.

Roger Millward missed the 1970 Rugby League World Cup due to a broken fibula in his left leg.

Roger Millward was named in the Great Britain squad for the 1972 Rugby League World Cup, but later withdrew.

Roger Millward coached Hull Kingston Rovers to the John Player Trophy Final which they lost and second in the Division One Championship.

Roger Millward was later awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to rugby league and sport in Great Britain.

Roger Millward left the club after its relegation to Division Two.

In 1991 Roger Millward, took the coaching job at Halifax, but was only there 17 months before resigning.

Roger Millward was most recently employed as a Premises Manager by Royds Specialist Language College, near Rothwell Sports Centre.

Roger Millward was son of William Millward, and Ivy Lockwood, was the younger brother of Roy Millward, and was the cousin of the rugby league footballer, and coach, Brian Lockwood.

In 2007 Roger Millward had an operation to remove a cancerous growth in the jaw.

Roger Millward made 406 appearances for Hull Kingston Rovers in total, with 207 tries, over 600 goals and a grand total of 1,825 points making him the third highest points scorer in Hull Kingston Rovers' history.

Roger Millward holds the club's record of 207 tries and has scored a total of eleven hat tricks for Hull Kingston Rovers, with one for Castleford and two for Great Britain as well as kicking more than ten goals per match.