John Charles Bevan (born 28 October 1950) is a Welsh international rugby footballer of the 1970s and 1980s. He is one of two John Bevans who played for Wales during the 1970s.[2][3][4]
Rugby career
His début for Wales came on 16 January 1971 during the Five Nations Championship when Wales played England. He crowned the win with a try as Wales ran out 22-6 winners. He played in all of the other games in the tournament, but did not score again, as Wales went on to win the championship and the Grand Slam.[2][3]
Starting his career in rugby union, he played for the Cardiff club and after being capped for Wales in 1971, Bevan toured Australia and New Zealand with the British Lions. He played in 14 matches including the first test and scored a total of 18 tries. The 17 scored in New Zealand equalled the record of Tony O'Reilly. He was a speedy wing (number 11) from Tylorstown South Wales and was also immensely strong. His powerful bullocking running style was all the more appropriate as he shared the initials JCB with a renowned British manufacturer of bulldozers. He is chiefly remembered for his role in the Barbarians' victory over New Zealand in 1973, during which he scored a try.
During his short international career Bevan scored 5 tries for Wales.
In September 1973, Bevan switched to rugby league, and joined Warrington for the then massive signing on fee of £12,000 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £200,000 in 2015).[5] He made 332 appearances for the Warrington club in which he scored 201 tries usually on the wing. He played for Wales and Great Britain.[6] John earned the nickname "The Ox", after 13 seasons, Bevan retired from the professional game. John Bevan's Testimonial match at Warrington took place in 1983.
International honours
John Bevan won 17-caps for Wales (RL) while at Warrington 1975...1982, scoring 5-tries in total for 15-points, and won 6-caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Warrington on the 1974 Great Britain Lions tour against Australia (two matches), and New Zealand (two matches), and in 1978 against Australia (two matches), scoring 5-tries in total for 15-points.[4]
In September 2000, after having stepped down as Director of Coaching for the Welsh Rugby Union, John Bevan joined the teaching staff at Monmouth School as a teacher of Religious Education and Director of Rugby Coaching. He currently coaches teams throughout the school, including the 1st XV. His catchphrase of "my granny could do better than that" meaning anything from tackle, to run, is perhaps the main reason for Monmouth's record of 123 games unbeaten. He remains a rugby legend and an inspiration to the boys.
Honoured at Warrington Wolves
John Bevan is a Warrington Wolves Hall of Fame inductee.[10]
References
^Who's who in Rugby League (1984) edited by David Emery, published by Queen Anne Press, page 15 ISBN0356104362