Wade DOOLEY

Wade Dooley was one of the few players to pull on an England jersey despite playing all his rugby outside the top flight. A Blackpool Community policeman, he played all his rugby for Preston Grasshoppers. The 6ft 8' lock was a league player until he discovered the union game in his late teens. It was perhaps as a result of playing at an unfashionable club that his first cap came at the age of 27, when he played against Romania in 1985. He was fortunately spotted and nurtured by Dick Greenwood, the Grasshoppers coach. The 1985 season was one of sweeping changes in English rugby; it would see 20 new caps in ten months. The experience of having no settled regime, squad or coaching set-up hardly aided Dooley's progress and he would be the first to admit that the first three years of his England career were a disappointment. In 1987 he gained notoriety for his involvement in the violent Wales-England game and was banned for one match.

Having toured New Zealand in 1985, he returned to take part in the first Rugby World Cup; a hugely disappointing tournament in which England suffered the ignominy of going out to Wales in the quarter-finals. In 1988, he was joined in the England second row by another policeman, Paul Ackford. This had a big effect on his career as the two formed a formidable second-row partnership. His growing 'presence' in the England pack ensured selection for the Lions tour of Australia in 1989, one of 8 Englishmen on the trip. His great rival, the Welshman, Rob Norster, was picked for the first test which the Lions lost. However, Dooley was called on in the Second and Third Test and his added steel was crucial in a series which was won up front. (John Lovell)

The Lions tour of Australia had enhanced Dooley's reputation on the international stage. The confidence he brought back was built on by Geoff Cooke, who inspired Dooley. Unlike, the days of 1985, England now had a settled squad of quality players, many fresh from victory with the Lions. England played some truly dazzling rugby, with its combination of youth and experience. In 1990, England travelled to Scotland for a 'winner takes all' encounter. In a game, where Dooley equalled Bill Beaumont's record for appearances at lock, they would be playing for The Calcutta Cup, the Grand Slam and Triple Crown. Unfortunately, England lost 13-7 in a game which has gone down in Scottish folklore. However, he did not have to wait too long as the Grand Slam was taken the following year. A middle of the lineout specialist, Dooley's work rate was also exceptional - and under Cooke the whole England pack were called on to handle the ball confidently.

Dooley toured Australia in 1991 and sustained a broken hand playing against Queensland. He returned to play in the 1991 World Cup Finals, where England narrowly lost out to Australia in the Twickenham final. 'The Blackpool Tower' starred in the England team, which cruised to its second successive Grand Slam in 1992, (and scored his first England try against Wales at Twickenham). Improving with age, Dooley was selected for his second Lions tour, for the 1993 trip to New Zealand. Still a Preston Grasshoppers man, he would have almost certainly played in the test series. Unfortunately, personal tragedy - the death of his father - would end his tour. He returned home for his fathers funeral and was inexplicably not allowed to rejoin the touring party. Dooley decided to call it a day. Significantly, a young man called Martin Johnson, was called up - wonder what he's doing now! (John Lovell)