Doug Laughton RIP

It is with deep sadness that the club learnt of the passing of former Head Coach Doug Laughton, aged 80. 

Laughton joined Leeds from Widnes just hours after the Chemics had lost the Premiership Final in 1991 and immediately set about creating a side that could be realistic challengers to the all-conquering Wigan side. He certainly achieved that, twice taking Leeds to the Twin Towers at Wembley in 1994 and 1995, having suffered heartache in the semi final against his old club in 1993. Most remember that era for the big spending culture that saw the stars of the game arrive at AMT Headingley with salaries to match their reputations. However, perhaps more importantly Laughton also set about putting in place a youth structure that could once again find and attract the best young players in the game. 

Most Leeds fans when asked who Laughton’s most high profile signing was during his time at the club might point to Ellery Hanley, Craig Innes or Alan Tait however the passage of time will point to a 13-year-old lad from Oldham called Kevin Sinfield who would go on to have a decent spell at the club. His playing days were very spent on the west of the Pennines as a loose forward with St Helens, Wigan and Widnes as well as a spell in Australia with Canterbury. He also captained Great Britain, winning 15 caps in all, and a further cap for England. He was part of the last Great Britain team to win the Ashes in 1970 in Sydney. Domestically, although born in Widnes he played at Saints and Wigan before finally arriving home at Naughton Park with Widnes. 

He played at Loose Forward in the 14–7 victory over Warrington in the 1975 Challenge Cup final, before appearing in defeats to Saints in 1975 and Leeds in 1977. He did get a second winners medal with a 12–3 victory over Wakefield Trinity in 1979. He also led Widnes to victory over the Australian tourists in 1978. In 1979, he captained Great Britain team on a tour of Australia. In 1979, while playing for Widnes, Laughton won the Man of Steel Award. His achievement as a player were matched by that as a coach as he created a Widnes team that was renowned for their tough attitude with little respect for others reputations. That took them to domestic and international glory as they defeated Canberra in 1989 at Old Trafford. His move to Leeds was seen as the final piece of the jigsaw to bring the glory times back to AMT Headingley however it was never quite to happen. He resigned as coach of Leeds just hours after the appointment of Dean Bell as his assistant on 26th June 1995 but insisted at the time that the arrival of the former Wigan and New Zealand captain had not influenced his decision. “I just think the time is right to hand over,” he said.

Laughton is best remembered for his achievements with his hometown club Widnes – steering them to consecutive league titles and a World Club Challenge victory over Canberra Raiders, and building a team around signings from rugby union such as Jonathan Davies, Alan Tait and Martin Offiah.

Laughton’s playing career began with St Helens from 1963-66 and he then spent six seasons at Wigan from 1967-73 before joining Widnes.
He captained them to a 14-7 victory over local rivals Warrington in the 1975 Challenge Cup Final, and after defeats in the 1976 and 1977 Finals, he enjoyed a second Wembley win against Wakefield Trinity in 1979, by which time he was player-coach.
He won 15 Great Britain caps, three of them in the 1970 Ashes series when Great Britain came from behind for their last series win.

As a coach, he had three stints with Widnes, with the second of them from 1986-91 including a hat-trick of Premiership Final wins at Old Trafford in addition to the two league titles and the World Club Challenge.

He also spent four seasons as coach of Leeds in the early 90s, taking them to consecutive Challenge Cup Finals at Wembley in 1994 and 1995 – although they lost to Wigan on each occasion. 

Tony Sutton, the Chief Executive of the RFL, said: “On behalf of the RFL and the wider sport, we send condolences to Doug’s family and friends, and pay tribute to the impact he made on Rugby League, both as a player and a coach. He led Widnes, his hometown club, to some of the greatest moments in their history, and without Doug Laughton, we might never have seen Martin Offiah, Jonathan Davies or so many others playing Rugby League, for club and country. That is quite a legacy.”

There will be a minutes silence before next Saturday's game against Wigan Warriors to remember Doug Laughton and his good friend and former scout Bob Pickles, who passed away last week. 

This Thursday's Leeds Rhinos Podcast Q&A will be a special tribute to Doug Laughton with former Leeds player and coach Francis Cummins joining us to give his memories of Dougie.