David Willicombe
David Willicombe was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Halifax and Wigan, as a.
Playing career
Club career
Willicombe initially played rugby union in Wales for Cardiff International Athletic Club. In 1969, he switched to rugby league, joining Halifax for a fee of £1,500. He was part of the team which won the 1971–72 Player's No.6 Trophy, scoring a try in the 22–11 win against Wakefield Trinity.In January 1974, he was signed by Wigan for a fee of £12,000. He scored a hat-trick of tries on his debut against Lock Lane in the 1973–74 Challenge Cup.
Willicombe played right- and scored a try in Wigan's 13–16 defeat by Workington Town in the 1977 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1977–78 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Saturday 29 October 1977.
Willicombe retired from playing after suffering a number of serious arm injuries, but returned to play for Wigan during the 1980–81 season. He played right- in the 10–26 defeat by Warrington in the 1980 Lancashire Cup Final at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Saturday 4 October 1980. He retired for a second time a few weeks later.