Albert Blan
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Albert Blan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 13 January 1930 Wigan, Lancashire, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 27 September 2015 (aged 85) Chorley, Lancashire, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Fullback, Centre, Stand-off, Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Relatives | Billy Blan (brother) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Albert Blan (13 January 1930 – 27 September 2015) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Wigan (A-Team) and Swinton, and coached at club level for Swinton. Blan was the Lions' astute captain during much of his service with the club leading them to their two successive First Division Championships of 1962–63 and 1963–64. Blan was also a skilled place kicker whether a penalty or a conversion. Initially a fullback, until the late 1950s he usually played in the Centre, but as he lost pace he successfully moved to loose forward, where his leadership and notable quick thinking football brain sparked off many a try scoring movement. Many Swinton fans often referred to him as "Brainy Blan", and with very good reason.