Paul Bishop (rugby league)

Paul Bishop (born 5 July 1967) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played for Warrington, Cronulla Sharks, St Helens, Gold Coast Seagulls and Halifax.

Paul Bishop
Personal information
Born (1967-07-05) 5 July 1967 (age 57)
England
Playing information
PositionScrum-half
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1984–90 Warrington 113 38 183 42 560
1988–89 Cronulla Sharks 13 2 0 0 8
1990–92 St Helens 51 16 70 11 215
1991 Gold Coast Seagulls 3 0 0 0 0
1992–94 Halifax
Total 180 56 253 53 783
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1987 Great Britain U-21 2 0 1 0 2
Source: [1]

Early life

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Born in England, Bishop moved to Australia at an early age when his father, Tommy Bishop, signed for Cronulla Sharks in 1969.[2] When his father returned to England in the early 1980s, Bishop played junior rugby league for Thatto Heath. On his 17th birthday, he was signed by Warrington.[3]

Playing career

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Warrington

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Bishop made his debut for Warrington in October 1984, scoring a try and kicking seven goals in a 42–30 win against Workington Town.[4]

On 11 May 1986, in the semi-final of the 1985–86 Rugby League Premiership, Bishop scored a record-equalling five drop goals in a 23–10 win against Wigan.[5] A week later in the final, he scored a try and five conversions in a 38–10 win against Halifax. He also played in the 1986–87 Rugby League Premiership final the following year, but were this time defeated by Wigan.[citation needed]

He then spent parts of the next two seasons in Australia, making 13 first grade appearances for Cronulla Sharks in the 1988 and 1989 NSWRL seasons.[citation needed]

Bishop played at scrum-half for Warrington in the 1990 Challenge Cup final, but the team were defeated 14–36 by Wigan. He made his final appearance for the club in October 1990.[4]

St Helens

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Bishop joined St Helens in 1990. He played in the Challenge Cup for the second consecutive year in 1991, but was once again a losing finalist against Wigan.

In the following season, Bishop played in the 1991–92 Lancashire Cup final, scoring a try and two goals in a 24–14 win against Rochdale Hornets.

Halifax

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In 1992, Bishop was signed by Halifax.[6] Bishop left the club in 1994 and returned to Australia.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Paul Bishop". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  2. ^ Wilson, Paul (27 September 1992). "Unholy Bishop proud to be a menace". The Observer. London. p. 34. ProQuest 477487830.
  3. ^ Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1985). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1985-86. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 375. ISBN 978-0-356-10944-2.
  4. ^ a b "Paul Bishop's Warrington Wolves career before joining Saints". Warrington Guardian. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  5. ^ "British Rugby League Records". Rugby League Record Keepers’ Club. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  6. ^ Hadfield, Dave (20 August 1992). "Rugby League: St Helens invest in tenacity". The Independent. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  7. ^ Hadfield, Dave (18 August 1994). "Rugby League: Club-by-club guide to the new season". The Independent. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
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