Former Wales Rugby League international Stan Owen dies aged 90

RIP Stan Owen

Wales Rugby League are saddened to learn of the death of former international Stan Owen, who passed away yesterday (September 12th) aged 90.

Pontypridd-born, Owen played at Sardis Road for his hometown side from 1950-51 before going to rugby league and turning professional with Leigh RLFC (now Leigh Centurions).

Going onto make 415 appearances for Leigh before leaving for St Helens in February 1964, playing out the remainder of the 1963-64 season and playing just 12 games for the club. He then transferred to Rochdale Hornets playing 95 games before turning out 21 times for Blackpool Borough.

Heritage #259 for Wales, Owen won just the one full cap for the Dragons, playing against France in 1963 in Toulouse where Wales lost 23-3. However he had pulled on the Welsh shirt on four previous occasions in the 1950s, playing against France B in 1955 and in three South Wales based tour games for Wales against St Helens in the summer of 1959 where he scored one try and kicked 12 goals. He also represented Great Britain against France in 1958 in a 23-9 win in Grenoble.

After signing for Leigh, he didn’t ever move out of the town. He worked as a plant fitter for many years for a firm in Astley and later kept a pub in the Leigh, “The Bridge Inn”.

Stan leaves wife Joan, three sons, Kevin, Gareth and Ivor and daughter Linda.

Wales Rugby League chairman Brian Juliff said: “RIP to Stan, who was an outstanding, tough as teak, servant to rugby league.

“Everyone at Wales Rugby League would like to send their sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.”

Stanley Gordon Owen, born in Pontypridd 7 Mar 1929, died in Wigan Infirmary 12 Sep 2019.