Richard Lockwood (rugby)
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Richard "Dicky" Evison Lockwood (born 11 November 1867 in Crigglestone — died 10 November 1915 in Leeds) was a rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1880s and '90s who at representative level played for England (RU) from 1887 to 1894[1], and was captain in January and February 1894[1], and at club level for Dewsbury (RU), Heckmondwike (RU)/(RL), and Wakefield Trinity (RL),[2] playing in the Forwards, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row. Prior to the 3rd September 1898, Dewsbury was a rugby union club, and prior to the 1896/97 season, Heckmondwike was also a rugby union club.
Early life
Dicky Lockwood was born on November 11, 1867 in Crigglestone.[1]
Rugby union career
Lockwood made his international debut on January 8, 1887 in Llanelli against Wales in the 1887 Home Nations Championship.[1] The match was to have been held at Stradey Park, which would have been that ground's first international rugby union match. The game was arranged for the 8 January and a temporary stand was erected to allow a seating area so the club could charge higher ticket prices; but on the day the English team refused to play on the ground as the pitch was frozen.[3] The adjacent cricket ground was in better condition, so the match was moved there along with the entire crowd, many members of which were extremely unhappy as they lost their seating area. Of the 14 matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 8 occasions.[1] He played his final match for England on Feb 3, 1894 at Rectory Field, Blackheath in the England vs Ireland match.[1]
Change of Code
When Heckmondwike converted from the rugby union code to the rugby league code for the 1896/97 season, Dicky Lockwood would have been approximately 29 years of age. Consequently, he may have been both a rugby union and rugby league footballer for Heckmondwike, particularly as he subsequently played rugby league for Wakefield Trinity at centre circa-1898.