English RL coach and former rugby league footballer (c.1935–2021)
Les Bettinson
Personal information
Full name
Leslie James Bettinson
Born
1934 or 1935 Millom, Cumberland, England
Died
(aged 86)
Playing information
Position
Fullback, Centre
Club
Years
Team
Pld
T
G
FG
P
1957–69
Salford
319
75
10
245
Representative
Years
Team
Pld
T
G
FG
P
1957–67
Cumberland
7
0
0
21
Coaching information
Club
Years
Team
Gms
W
D
L
W%
1973–77
Salford
Source: [1]
Leslie James Bettinson (c. 1935 – 10 September 2021) was an English professional rugby league footballer, coach and administrator.
Bettinson was born in Millom, Cumberland and declined to sign a contract with Workington Town as a teenager. Five years later, after national service and teacher training, Bettinson was offered a contract by Salford and made his debut against Batley the same day he signed his contract - 9 March 1957. He played 319 games for Salford between 1957 and 1969 including a period as captain. Bettinson appeared for the Cumberland county side on seven occasions between 1957 and 1967 during which Cumberland won the County Championship twice.[2]
After retiring from playing he became the club's assistant coach, later becoming head coach; a post he held between 1973 and 1977. Under his leadership Salford won two championships (1973–74 and 1975–76) and won the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy in 1975–76. After his resignation he joined the board of directors of Salford and remained on the board until 1991.[2]
He would later be team manager for Great Britain during the 1988 tour to Australasia and would publish a book In the Lions' Den: The Rebirth of Great Britain in Rugby League. He was the inaugural President of the Rugby Football League (RFL), and has been chair of the coaching committee.
On 11 September 2021, it was confirmed by the Salford Red Devils club that Bettinson had died aged 86.[3]
^Morris, Graham (2001). 100 Greats: Salford Rugby League Club. Stroud: Tempus. pp. 14–15. ISBN 978-0-7524-2196-4.
^ ab"Les Bettinson". Rugby League Journal. No. 77. November 2021. p. 30.
^"RFL pays tribute to Les Bettinson". www.rugby-league.com. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
Leslie James Bettinson (c. 1935 – 10 September 2021) was an English professional rugby league footballer, coach and administrator. Bettinson was born in...
Bettinson is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: LesBettinson, rugby league player, coach, and administrator Laura Bettinson, stage name...
Jack Anderton 1888 British Isles tourist (RU) William "Billy" Banks LesBettinson (#4) circa-1965 David Bishop Ian Blease (Testimonial match 1996) Charlie...
Schofield David Stephenson Hugh Waddell Kevin Ward Ian Wilkinson Darren Wright Mal Reilly (coach) Phil Larder (assistant coach) LesBettinson (tour manager)...
France with Salford in 1934, during which the Salford team earned the name "Les Diables Rouges", the seventeen players were; Joe Bradbury, Bob Brown, Aubrey...
Schofield David Stephenson Hugh Waddell Kevin Ward Ian Wilkinson Darren Wright Mal Reilly (coach) Phil Larder (assistant coach) LesBettinson (tour manager)...
Tenure Name Club 1988–1989 LesBettinson Salford 1989–1990 S. Ackroyd Halifax 1990–1991 Harry Jepson OBE Leeds 1991–1992 Maurice Lindsay Wigan 1992–1993...
screenwriter (Eastbound & Down) and actor (Superbad, Land of the Lost). LesBettinson, 86, English rugby league player (Salford, Cumberland). Donald A. Bonner...
Schofield David Stephenson Hugh Waddell Kevin Ward Ian Wilkinson Darren Wright Mal Reilly (coach) Phil Larder (assistant coach) LesBettinson (tour manager)...
Schofield David Stephenson Hugh Waddell Kevin Ward Ian Wilkinson Darren Wright Mal Reilly (coach) Phil Larder (assistant coach) LesBettinson (tour manager)...
Schofield David Stephenson Hugh Waddell Kevin Ward Ian Wilkinson Darren Wright Mal Reilly (coach) Phil Larder (assistant coach) LesBettinson (tour manager)...
(BARLA) and RFL Coaching Director Phil Larder. The tour manager was LesBettinson. The touring side's captain was Ellery Hanley, who was signed by Sydney...
Schofield David Stephenson Hugh Waddell Kevin Ward Ian Wilkinson Darren Wright Mal Reilly (coach) Phil Larder (assistant coach) LesBettinson (tour manager)...
Saturday 1 October 1983, appeared as a substitute (replacing Second-row Les Boyd) in Warrington's 8–34 defeat by Wigan in the 1985 Lancashire Cup Final...
France with Salford in 1934, during which the Salford team earned the name "Les Diables Rouges", the seventeen players were; Joe Bradbury, Bob Brown, Aubrey...
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