Keith Hepworth


Keith Hepworth, also known by the nickname of 'Heppy', is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and coached in the 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, Yorkshire and Commonwealth XIII, and at club level for Castleford, Leeds and Hull FC, as a, i.e. number 7, and coached at club level for Bramley and Hull FC.

Playing career

International honours

Keith Hepworth represented Commonwealth XIII while at Castleford in 1965 against New Zealand at Crystal Palace National Recreation Centre, London on Wednesday 18 August 1965, and won caps for Great Britain while at Castleford in 1967 against France ; in 1970 against Australia, and New Zealand, and in the 1970 Rugby League World Cup against Australia, France, New Zealand, and Australia.

County honours

Keith Hepworth won caps for Yorkshire playing in the 33-10 victory over Lancashire at Hull FC's stadium on 23 September 1964, the 3-19 defeat by Cumberland at Hull Kingston Rovers' stadium on 8 September 1965, the 15-9 victory over New Zealand at Castleford's stadium on 20 September 1965, the 34-23 victory over Cumberland at Castleford's stadium on 25 October 1967, the 12-14 defeat by Lancashire at Salford's stadium on 3 September 1969, and the 34-8 victory over Lancashire at Castleford's stadium on 24 February 1971.

County League appearances

Keith Hepworth played in Castleford's victory in the Yorkshire County League during the 1964–65 season.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Keith Hepworth played, and scored a try in Castleford's 11-6 victory over Salford in the 1969 Challenge Cup Final during the 1968–69 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 17 May 1969, in front of a crowd of 97,939, played, in the 7-2 victory over Wigan in the 1970 Challenge Cup Final during the 1969–70 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 9 May 1970, in front of a crowd of 95,255, Keith Hepworth's collision with Wigan's goal kicking Colin Tyrer, left Tyrer with a broken jaw. and played in Leeds 13-16 defeat by St. Helens in the 1972 Challenge Cup Final during the 1971–72 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1972, in front of a crowd of 89,495.

County Cup Final appearances

Keith Hepworth played in Leeds' 36-9 victory over Dewsbury in the 1972 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1972–73 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 7 October 1972, and played, and was man of the match winning the White Rose Trophy in the 7-2 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1973 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1973–74 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 20 October 1973.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

Keith Hepworth played, and scored a goal in Castleford's 7-2 victory over Swinton in the 1966 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1966–67 season at Wheldon Road, Castleford on Tuesday 20 December 1966, played in the 8-5 victory over Leigh in the 1967 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1967–68 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 16 January 1968, and played in Hull FC's 13-3 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1979 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1979-80 season at The Boulevard, Kingston upon Hull on Tuesday 18 December 1979.

Player's No.6 Trophy Final appearances

Keith Hepworth played, and was man of the match in Leeds' 12-7 victory over Salford in the 1972–73 Player's No.6 Trophy Final during the 1972–73 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 24 March 1973.

Testimonial match

Keith Hepworth's Testimonial match at Castleford took place in 1968.

Coaching career

In 1988 Hepworth was joint team manager of Hull F.C. with Tony Dean.

Honoured at Castleford Tigers

Keith Hepworth was named as a Castleford Tigers Hall Of Fame Inductee.