Great Britain legend and World Cup winner Phil Jackson passes away

Great Britain have won three World Cups in the history of the sport and although they’re in the midst of a 50-year wait to reclaim the trophy which has been dominated by Australia since 1972, they won the first tournament back in 1954.

That say they defeated France in Paris 16-12 to be crowned Champions of the World but sadly one man who featured that day has sadly passed away this week.

Phil Jackson was 90 years old when he passed away on Wednesday. Lion number 207, he will always be remembered as a legend of the game for helping Great Britain win the inaugural World Cup and will also be remembered fondly in Barrow.

Jackson made his debut for Barrow at the age of 18 in 1950 after growing up in the area despite being born in Canada in 1932.

At three years old they moved to Barrow where he took up rugby union before switching to our great game when offered professional terms by Barrow.

In 2001 he was included in the club’s Hall of Fame and featured in the 1951 Challenge Cup Final as Barrow battled Wigan.

He wore the number three jersey that day as Barrow lost 10-0 to the Cherry and Whites. That was one of two Cup Final defeats he suffered, the other came in 1957 at the expense of Leeds two years after Barrow won it against rivals Workington 22-12 in another game he featured as Barrow’s number three.

He also won the Lancashire Cup in 1955 defeating Oldham in the final.

A special player with a special career, our thoughts are with his family at this time.