Whitehaven Rugby League Club have presented their first heritage numbers to former players.
The sterling work of former club statistician, the late Brian Sharples, allowed his good friend and successor Bob Sewell to compile the numbers.
Brian spent hundreds of hours collating and checking rugby league records as well as the local and RL press to accurately record statistics for every first team player and game in Haven’s 77-year history.
In total, 885 players have made a first team appearance for Haven since the club’s first game on August 21 1948.
Each of those players has been given a heritage number corresponding with the date of their Haven debut.
Bob and David Seeds, the newly formed ex-players association representative, presented the certificates during the half-time interval of the club’s derby with Workington Town last weekend.
JJ McKeown
Haven’s legendary fullback John J McKeown, the club’s record appearance holder and points scorer, has been allocated heritage number 1.
John’s granddaughter Suzanne collected his certificate on behalf of the McKeown family.
He appeared a total of 417 times, scored 1,050 goals and gained 2,133 points.
John died in 2006 aged 80.
Gordon Cottier
Gordon Cottier’s daughter Leanne collect her dad’s certificate on behalf of the Cottier family.
Gordon died in 2023 aged 74.
His final professional appearance was for Workington Town in 1986.
Ralph Calvin
Ralph Calvin was presented with his heritage number 290.
He played front row for Whitehaven from 1980 to 1982.
Peter Donnelly
Peter Donnelly received his heritage number of 188.
Peter made his debut on April 17 1965 against Oldham.
He made 161 appearances, scoring two tries and 187 goals – a total of 380 points .
Eddie Bowman
Eddie Bowman was presented with heritage number 186.
Eddie made his debut on April 3 1965 against Huddersfield and racked up 82 appearances.
He scored 19 tries and 57 points.
Phil Kitchin
Phil Kitchin was presented with heritage 133.
His debut was on September 19 1959 against Hull KR at home.
Phil made 167 appearances, scoring 48 tries and kicking five goals and gaining 154 points in his career.
