Mal Aspey


Malcolm "Mal" Aspey is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1980s. He played at club level for Widnes,, Wigan, and Salford, as a, i.e. number 3 or 4, and coached at club level for Salford.

Background

Aspey's birth was registered in Prescot district, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

Premiership Final appearances

Mal Aspey played, and was man of the match winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy in Widnes' 26-11 victory over Bradford Northern in the Premiership Final during the 1979–80 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 17 May 1980.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Mal Aspey played left-, i.e. number 4, in Widnes' 14-7 victory over Warrington in the 1974–75 Challenge Cup Final during the 1974–75 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 10 May 1975, played right-, i.e. number 3, and scored a try in the 7-16 defeat by Leeds in the 1976–77 Challenge Cup Final during the 1976–77 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 7 May 1977, and played right-, i.e. number 3, in the 12-3 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1978–79 Challenge Cup Final during the 1978–79 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1979.

County Cup Final appearances

Mal Aspey played left-, i.e. number 4, and scored a goal in Widnes 8-15 defeat by Wigan in the 1971–72 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1970–71 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 28 August 1971, played left-, i.e. number 4, in the 6-2 victory over Salford in the 1974–75 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1974–75 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 2 November 1974, played left-, i.e. number 4, and scored a try in the 16-7 victory over Salford in the 1975–76 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1975–76 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 4 October 1975, played right-, i.e. number 3, in the 16-11 victory over Workington Town in the 1976–77 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1976–77 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 30 October 1976, played right-, i.e. number 3, in the 15-13 victory over Workington Town in the 1978–79 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1978–79 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 7 October 1978, and played right-, i.e. number 3, in the 11-0 victory over Workington Town in the 1979–80 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1979–80 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 8 December 1979.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

Mal Aspey played left-, i.e. number 4, in Widnes' 0-5 defeat by Leigh in the 1972 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1972–73 season at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 19 December 1972, played left-, i.e. number 4, in the 7-15 defeat by Bramley in the 1973 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1973–74 season at Naughton Park, Widnes on Tuesday 18 December 1973, and played left-, i.e. number 4, in the 13-7 victory over St. Helens in the 1978 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1978–79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Tuesday 12 December 1978.

Player's No.6 Trophy/John Player Trophy Final appearances

Mal Aspey played left-, i.e. number 4, in Widnes' 2-3 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1974–75 Player's No.6 Trophy Final during the 1974–75 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 25 January 1975, played left-, i.e. number 4, in the 19-13 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1975–76 Player's No.6 Trophy Final during the 1975–76 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 24 January 1976, played right-, i.e. number 3, in the 4-9 defeat by Warrington in the 1977–78 Players No.6 Trophy Final during the 1977–78 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 28 January 1978, played right-, i.e. number 3, in the 16-4 victory over Warrington in the 1978–79 John Player Trophy Final during the 1978–79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 28 April 1979, and played right-, i.e. number 3, in the 0-6 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1979–80 John Player Trophy Final during the 1979–80 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 5 January 1980.

Career records

Mal Aspey holds Widnes' "Most Tries In A Career" record with 236-tries, and with 575-appearances, he is second behind Keith Elwell in Widnes' "Most Appearances In A Career" record list.

Post playing

Mal Aspey was the landlord of Ye Olde Chequers Inn pub in Tonbridge, Kent, as of 2019 he is retired and living in Widnes, Cheshire.

Genealogical information

Mal Aspey is the grandson of the rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s and 1910s for Widnes; Sam Aspey, and the great-nephew of Sam Aspey's brothers; the older brother, the rugby league footballer who played in the 1890s, 1900s and 1910s for Widnes; George Aspey, and the younger brother, the rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s for Widnes; William "Bill" Aspey.