Mal Aspey
Malcolm Aspey | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 26, 1947 Prescot district, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation(s) | Rugby league player, Rugby league coach, Publican |
| Years active | 1960s–1980s |
| Known for | Rugby league career with Widnes, Fulham RLFC, Wigan, Salford; coaching Salford |
Malcolm Aspey (born 26 April 1947) is a retired English professional rugby league player and coach whose career spanned from the 1960s through the 1980s. He occupied the position of and represented several clubs including Widnes, Fulham RLFC, Wigan, and Salford. In addition to his playing career, Aspey took on the role of head coach at Salford during the early 1980s.
Background
Aspey's birth was officially recorded in the Prescot district of Lancashire, England.
Premiership Final appearances
During the 1979–80 season, Aspey earned the distinction of man of the match by receiving the Harry Sunderland Trophy in Widnes' 26-11 triumph over Bradford Northern in the Premiership Final held at Station Road, Swinton on 17 May 1980.
Challenge Cup Final appearances
Aspey featured as left-centre in Widnes' 14-7 victory against Warrington in the 1974–75 Challenge Cup Final at London's Wembley Stadium on 10 May 1975. He also played right-centre, scoring a try, in the 7-16 defeat by Leeds during the 1976–77 Final at Wembley on 7 May 1977. Furthermore, he appeared at right-centre in Widnes' 12-3 win over Wakefield Trinity in the 1978–79 Final at Wembley on 5 May 1979.
County Cup Final appearances
Aspey took to the field as left-centre and contributed a goal in Widnes' 8-15 loss to Wigan during the 1971–72 Lancashire Cup Final held at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on 28 August 1971. He played left-centre again in Widnes' 6-2 victory over Salford in the 1974–75 Final at Central Park, Wigan on 2 November 1974. On 4 October 1975, Aspey scored a try playing left-centre in a 16-7 win against Salford in the 1975–76 Final at Central Park. He also featured as right-centre in Widnes' successes over Workington Town: a 16-11 win in the 1976–77 Final on 30 October 1976; a narrow 15-13 victory in the 1978–79 Final on 7 October 1978; and an 11-0 shutout during the 1979–80 Final at The Willows, Salford on 8 December 1979.
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances
Aspey was positioned at left-centre during Widnes' narrow 0-5 defeat by Leigh in the 1972 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final, which took place at Central Park on 19 December 1972 amid the 1972–73 season. He again played left-centre when Widnes lost 7-15 to Bramley in the following year's final at Naughton Park (now known as Halton Stadium) in Widnes on 18 December 1973. Later, Aspey contributed as left-centre to Widnes' 13-7 victory over St. Helens in the 1978 final held at Knowsley Road on 12 December.
Player's No.6 Trophy/John Player Trophy Final appearances
In the Player's No.6 Trophy and John Player Trophy finals, Aspey featured prominently for Widnes. He played left-centre during their narrow 2-3 loss to Bradford Northern at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on 25 January 1975. The following year he helped secure a 19-13 win over Hull F.C. playing left-centre at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, on 24 January 1976. Aspey lined up as right-centre in a defeat by Warrington, losing 4-9 at Knowsley Road on 28 January 1978. He again played right-centre when Widnes defeated Warrington 16-4 to claim the 1978–79 John Player Trophy at Knowsley Road on 28 April 1979. Finally, he appeared as right-centre during Widnes' narrow 0-6 loss to Bradford Northern at Headingley on 5 January 1980.
Career achievements
Aspey holds the Widnes club record for Most Career Tries, having scored 236 tries. Additionally, he is second in the club's Most Career Appearances list with 575 matches, trailing only Keith Elwell, who made 594 appearances.
Life after rugby
Upon retiring from professional rugby, Aspey took on the role of landlord at Ye Olde Chequers Inn located in Tonbridge, Kent. By 2019, he had retired from his business ventures and was living in Widnes, Cheshire.
Family background
Aspey is the grandson of former Widnes rugby league player Sam Aspey, who competed in the early twentieth century. He is also the great-nephew of Sam’s siblings: the older brother George Aspey, active from the 1890s to the 1910s, and the younger brother "Bill" Aspey, another early 1900s Widnes player.