Wade Dooley

Wade Dooley (October 2, 1957) is a former England rugby union international who played lock forward. He played for his country 55 times and was known as the "Blackpool tower."

Dooley was born in Warrington, Northern England and played rugby league as a teenager, taking up the rugby union aged 19. He played most of his career for Preston Grasshoppers, where he was nurtured by former England international and coach Dick Greenwood. He also had a brief spell with Fylde.

Dooley made his international debut on January 5, 1985 against Romania. He later established a second row partnership with fellow police officer Paul Ackford.

Dooley went on the 1989 British Lions tour to Australia, playing in the final two test matches. He was also part of the England team that won grand slams in 1991 and 1992.

Dooley also went on the 1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand, but left the tour to return home for the funeral of his father. He was replaced on the tour by the young Leicester England lock Martin Johnson, and decided to retire.

Though capped on multiple occasions by his country, his career highlight was opening the Wetherby RUFC clubhouse in 1993.

External links

* [http://www.planet-rugby.com/stats/players/player_details.phtml/p_r/ENG?playerCode=EDO7&search_text=Wade%20Dooley&navCode=&tm1Code=%&setCode=archive Planet-Rugby stat archive and bio]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=1377 Sporting Heroes]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=1378 Sporting Heroes 2]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=506 Sporting Heroes 3]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=508 Sporting Heroes 4]