David Lyon (rugby league)


David Lyon is an English former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played as a for Widnes, Warrington, St. Helens and Sheffield Eagles and Leigh Centurions.
He is the son of Geoff Lyon] the former Wigan RLFC great who played at Wigan from 1959 to 1969. David became a British Lion when he represented Great Britain Rugby League on the 1990 tour to PNG & NZ as a player and then again as assistant coach of the 2006 Great Britain touring team to Australia for the Tri nations. David was selected to represent Lancashire in the 1991 War or the Roses. He switched to rugby union in 1996 when the game went professional playing for Orrell as a centre until 1999. He Captained the side in the first year of the professional premiership and lead them to Lancashire Cup glory. He was selected to play for The North of England v NZ All Blacks.
Once his playing days were over David went into coaching and was Head junior coach at both St Helens and Wigan Warriors. He was assistant coach to his ex teammate Mike Gregory in 2002 when they created history by coaching England Academy to the first ever victory over Australian Schoolboys on British soil. He then took over as Head coach of England Academy in 2004 and lead them to create more history on the tour to NZ and Australia by beating Australian Schoolboys for the first time ever on Australian soil.
David then joined Brian Noble as his assistant coach to Great Britain Rugby League and was part of the 2006 Tri Nations in Australia and NZ where Great Britain beat Australia for the first time in 30 years in Sydney, Australia.
He is currently the Assistant Director for Environment and Housing at Wigan Council.

Playing career

Premiership Final appearances

David Lyon played in St. Helens' 10–4 victory over Wigan in the 1993 Premiership Final during the 1992–93 season at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 16 May 1993.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

David Lyon played, and scored a try in Warrington's 14–36 defeat by Wigan in the 1990 Challenge Cup Final during the 1989–90 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 28 April 1990, in front of a crowd of 77,729.

County Cup Final appearances

David Lyon played in Warrington's 24–16 victory over Oldham in the 1989 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1989–90 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 14 October 1989.

Regal Trophy Final appearances

David Lyon played, and scored 4-conversions in Warrington's 12–2 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1990–91 Regal Trophy Final during the 1989–90 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 12 January 1991.