Nick Fozzard (born 22 July 1977) is an English former professional rugby league footballer. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for the Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield Giants, Warrington Wolves, St Helens, Hull Kingston Rovers, Castleford Tigers, and in the Championship for the Dewsbury Rams.

Nick Fozzard
Personal information
Full nameNicholas Fozzard
Born (1977-07-22) 22 July 1977 (age 47)
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England
Playing information
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Weight16 st 7 lb (105 kg)
PositionSecond-row, Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1993–97 Leeds Rhinos 45 5 0 0 20
1997–00 Huddersfield Giants 55 4 0 0 16
2002–03 Warrington Wolves 54 2 0 0 8
2004–08 St Helens 126 9 0 0 36
2009 Hull Kingston Rovers 24 1 0 0 4
2010 St Helens 19 1 0 0 4
2011 Castleford Tigers 19 0 0 0 0
2012 Dewsbury Rams 2 0 0 0 0
Total 344 22 0 0 88
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Yorkshire
2005 Great Britain 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3]

Career

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Early career

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Born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, Fozzard signed for Leeds in 1993 from amateur club Shaw Cross,[4] and made his first team debut in April 1994 against St Helens.[5] He was signed by Huddersfield Giants in May 1997.[6] Fozzard missed almost two full seasons after suffering a broken arm in a match against London Broncos in March 2000,[7] and then breaking his arm a second time 10 months later.[8] He joined Warrington Wolves in 2002,[9] before signing for St Helens in 2004.[10]

St Helens

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Fozzard about to tackle Zeb Luisi against Harlequins RL at the Twickenham Stoop

Fozzard played for Saints in their 32–16 win against Wigan Warriors in the 2004 Challenge Cup final.[11]

In 2005, Fozzard was one of five uncapped players selected by Great Britain for the 2005 Tri-Nations.[12] He received his one and only cap for the team in the opening match of the tournament, a 26–42 defeat against New Zealand.[13]

In 2006, Fozzard extended his contract with Saints until the end of 2008.[14] Due to increased competition for places, he missed out on St Helens 2006 Challenge Cup final victory.[15]

As 2006 Super League champions, St Helens faced 2006 NRL Premiers the Brisbane Broncos in the 2007 World Club Challenge. Fozzard played as a prop in St. Helens' 18–14 victory. He also won his second Challenge Cup with the club, starting in the 30–8 win against Catalans Dragons in the 2007 Challenge Cup final,[16] and was selected in the 2007 Super League Dream Team at the end of the season.

Fozzard missed most of the 2008 season after suffering a serious knee injury.[17] He returned in time for the end of the season, helping the team secure a fourth consecutive League Leaders' Shield.[18] He also played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos.[19]

Later career

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On 19 September 2008 Fozzard signed for Hull Kingston Rovers for the 2009 Super League campaign.

It was confirmed on 20 September 2009, that Fozzard would return to St. Helens after being released by Hull Kingston Rovers on the final year of his contract.[20] Following a poor start to the 2010 season, Fozzard was dropped by coach Mick Potter.

Fozzard joined Castleford Tigers on a one-year deal on 16 September 2010. He retired in 2012 due to a serious shoulder injury.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "Sky sports Nick Fozzard". skysports.com. 18 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Player Summary: Nick Fozzard". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ^ Richards, Martin (19 July 2003). "Wolves fight to keep Fozzard from predators". The Times. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Former Players receive Heritage Number Certificates". Leeds Rhinos Foundation. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  6. ^ Hadfield, Dave (16 May 1997). "Wigan make pledge to shareholders". The Independent. p. 29.
  7. ^ "Broncos tough it out". BBC News. 19 March 2000. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Sport in brief". The Guardian. London. 3 January 2001. p. 26. ProQuest 188553532.
  9. ^ "Propping up Wolves". Warrington Guardian. 13 September 2001. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Fozzard signs for Saints". BBC Sport. 25 July 2003. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Saints win Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. 15 May 2004. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  12. ^ "No fear of Kiwi pack says Fozzard". BBC Sport. 25 October 2005. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Great Britain 26-42 New Zealand". BBC Sport. 29 October 2005. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Fozzard signs new St Helens deal". BBC Sport. 8 June 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Saints to leave out Anderson and Fozzard". The Independent. 24 August 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Showpiece sacrificed to success as Saints gear up for the double". The Guardian. 27 August 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Fozzard in need of knee surgery". BBC Sport. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Saints seal leaders' shield but defiant Wigan take their share". The Guardian. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  19. ^ "2008 Grand Final". BBC. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  20. ^ "Fozzard returns to Saints". superleague.com. 20 September 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  21. ^ "Ex-Great Britain forward Nick Fozzard retires from rugby league". BBC. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
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