Len Casey

Leonard Casey (born 28 January 1950), also known by the nickname of "Cast Iron Casey", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Hull Kingston Rovers (two spells), Bradford Northern, Hull F.C. and Wakefield Trinity, as a or ,

Background Casey was born in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. He ran the May Cottage bed and breakfast in Bowness-on-Windermere until .

Playing career Hull Casey started his professional career with Hull joining the club from Beverley Juniors in 1970.

Hull Kingston Rovers In September 1975, Casey was signed by Hull Kingston Rovers for a fee of £6,000.

Casey played in Hull Kingston Rovers' 26–11 victory over St. Helens in the 1977 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1977–78 season at Craven Park, Hull on Tuesday 13 December 1977.

Casey won the Championship in the 1978-79 season as part of Hull Kingston Rovers squad.

Bradford Northern In December 1978, Casey was sold to Bradford Northern in exchange for Paul Harkin.

Casey played in Bradford Northern' 24–2 defeat by Leeds in the 1978–79 Premiership Final during the 1978–79 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 27 May 1979.

Casey played in Bradford Northern's 6–0 victory over Widnes in the 1979–80 John Player Trophy Final during the 1979–80 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 5 January 1980, Casey was awarded the man of the match.

Casey won the Championship in the 1979-80 season as part of the Bradford Northern squad.

Return to Hull KR In January 1980, Casey was re-signed by Hull Kingston Rovers for a record transfer fee of £38,000. The suspension also cost him a place on the 1984 Great Britain Lions tour.

Casey was a non-playing substitute in Hull Kingston Rovers' 12–0 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1984–85 John Player Trophy Final during the 1984–85 season at Boothferry Park, Hull on Saturday 26 January 1985. He made his final appearance for the club in February 1985 in a league game against Halifax.

Representative honours Casey won caps for England while at Hull Kingston Rovers in 1978 against France, and Wales, in 1980 against Wales, in 1981 against France, and Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1977 Rugby League World Cup against France (sub), New Zealand (sub), and Australia, in 1978 against Australia, while at Bradford Northern in 1979 against Australia (2 matches), and New Zealand (3 matches), while at Hull Kingston Rovers in 1980 against New Zealand (3 matches, 1 as captain), in 1983 against France (2 matches, both as captain).

Len Casey also represented Yorkshire against Cumbria in 1978 & 1982.

Coaching career Len Casey was the coach of Hull F.C. from 1986 to 1988. He was the coach in Hull FC's 24–31 defeat by Castleford in the 1986–87 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1986–87 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 11 October 1986.

Honours Club Rugby League Championship Winner - 1978/79, 1979/80, 1983/84 Rugby League Challenge Cup Winner - 1979/80 John Player Trophy Winner - 1979/80, 1984/85 Rugby League Premiership Winner - 1980/81 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Trophy Winner - 1977/78

Individual John Player Trophy Man of The Match 1979/80 Harry Sunderland Trophy Winner - 1980/81