Derek Pyke

Derek Pyke (born 7 November 1959) is an English former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He played representative level rugby union for England Schoolboys, and representative level rugby league for Lancashire, and at club level for Leigh, Widnes and Oldham, as a prop.

Derek Pyke

Personal information
Born	(1959-11-07) 7 November 1959 (age 65) Leigh, England
Playing information
Position	Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1979–88 Leigh 220 27 0 0 102 1987–90 Widnes 66 0 0 0 0 1990–91 Oldham 5 0 0 0 0 Total 291 27 0 0 102 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1986–88 Lancashire 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Background

Derek Pyke's birth was registered in Leigh, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

Pyke started his career in rugby union, where he was an England schoolboys international,^[3] before switching codes and joining Leigh.

In January 1988, Pyke was signed by Widnes in exchange for former Great Britain captain Harry Pinner, and £50,000.^[4] He played 66 games for Widnes, and also played in the team that won the 1989 World Club Challenge.

In 1990, Pyke was transferred from Widnes to Oldham for £50,000, but suffered a serious knee injury after playing only five matches for the club. After failing to make a full recovery from the injury, Pyke announced his retirement at the end of the 1990–91 season.^[5]