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Malcolm John Reilly OBE (born 19 January 1948) is an English former rugby league player and coach. He played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford (two spells) in England, and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in Australia, as a loose forward,[3]

Key Information

He coached at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Castleford, Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield Giants and Hull Kingston Rovers in England,[4][5] and Newcastle Knights in Australia, taking them to their first premiership in 1997.[4][5] In 2014 he was inaugurated into the British Rugby League Hall of Fame.

Playing career

[edit]

Castleford

[edit]

Reilly debuted for Castleford during the 1967–68 season, scoring a try in an 8–10 defeat against Hunslet in September 1967.[6][7] Later that season, he won his first honours with the club, playing at loose forward in Castleford's 8–5 victory over Leigh in the 1967 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final at Headingley, Leeds on Tuesday 16 January 1968.

During the 1968–69 season, Reilly played loose forward in Castleford's 11–22 defeat by Leeds in the 1968–69 Yorkshire Cup Final at Belle Vue, Wakefield, on Saturday 19 October 1968, and played loose forward, and won the Lance Todd Trophy in Castleford's 11–6 victory over Salford in the 1968–69 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 17 May 1969.[8]

In the 1969–70 season, Reilly played loose forward in the 7–2 victory over Wigan in the 1969–70 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 9 May 1970.[9]

After three seasons with Manly, Reilly returned to Castleford in 1974. He played second-row in the 4–12 defeat by Leigh in the 1976 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final at Hilton Park on Tuesday 14 December 1976.

He played second-row in the 11–22 defeat by Leeds in the 1977–78 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1977–78 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1977, and played prop in the 2–13 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1983–84 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1983–84 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1983.

He later became a Tigers Hall Of Fame Inductee.[10]

Manly-Warringah

[edit]

After Reilly had starred for Great Britain in their triumphant 1970 Australasian Tour in which they succeeded in winning The Ashes (the last time that Great Britain has won The Ashes), he returned to play for Castleford and was selected for Great Britain during the 1970 World Cup. Managing the Australian team in the World Cup was Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club secretary Ken Arthurson who made it a priority to sign Reilly and bring him to Sydney to play for the Brookvale based club. His signing proved a boon for Manly as his skills and toughness added to an already strong Manly forward pack (Manly had played in the 1970 Grand Final). Reilly helped them to their first premiership in 1972 when they defeated the Eastern Suburbs Roosters 19–14. Manly would repeat the feat and became premiers in 1973. He thus became only the third Englishman (after Dick Huddart and David Bolton) to play in a grand final-winning team in Australia.[11]

Early in the 1973 Grand Final against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (playing their first Grand Final), a team which was captain-coached by Reilly's former Great Britain team mate Tommy Bishop, and also included former Lions prop Cliff Watson, Reilly was felled late by Sharks hooker Ron "Rocky" Turner after putting in a mid-field chip kick (Turner had already targeted him once and just missed him only a minute into the game). Clearly hobbled with a badly bruised hip, Reilly went off for pain killing injections. As it was clear he would not last out the match, Manly coach Ron Willey gave the Englishman the instructions to go out and cause as much physical damage to the Sharks players as he could before he could go no further. After carrying out Willey's instructions, Reilly was replaced after 25 minutes by John Bucknell.

As for the match itself, the brilliance of Manly centre Bob Fulton was the difference between the two sides as the Sea Eagles won 10–7. The game has often been described as the roughest, dirtiest Grand Final in Sydney premiership history, with several all-in brawls (usually started by Bishop before retreating behind his pack) causing referee Keith Page to caution both teams repeatedly, though strangely he did not send anyone from the field despite repeated warnings that he would do so (according to Bishop, at one stage Keith Page allegedly threatened to take Manly second rower Peter Peters out the back of the Sydney Cricket Ground after the game and 'sort him out' for calling him a cheat). Leading journalist Ian Heads described the match in the Sunday Telegraph the next day as: "It was a Grand Final as tough and dirty as any bar-room brawl".[12]

40 Years after that Grand Final, Sharks coach Tommy Bishop admitted that they did in fact target Reilly, knowing just how dangerous a player he was. Bishop also lamented the fact that while his game preparation focused on targeting his former International team mate, he somehow managed to forget about the danger that was Bob Fulton.[13]

Although Manly made the finals in both 1974 and 1975, they were unable to repeat their premiership success. Mal Reilly would return to Castleford after the 1975 Australian season. Ironically, Ken Arthurson then signed two more Great Britain back row forwards for 1976. Second rower Phil Lowe, and lock forward Steve "Knocker" Norton who bore an uncanny resemblance to Reilly, as well as Castleford halfback Gary Stephens. Manly would win their 3rd Sydney premiership in 1976.[14]

During his time at Manly, Mal Reilly was team mates with players who themselves would go on to become legends of the game including Bob Fulton, Graham Eadie, Ray Branighan, Fred Jones, John O'Neill, Terry Randall, and legendary try scoring winger Ken Irvine.[15]

Representative honours

[edit]

Reilly won caps for England while at Castleford in 1970 against Wales and France, and in 1977 against Wales (sub), and won caps for Great Britain while at Castleford in 1970 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (3 matches), and in the 1970 Rugby League World Cup against Australia, France, and Australia.

Reilly was part of the victorious Great Britain touring team that defeated Australia in the Ashes series during the 1970 Great Britain Lions tour. As of 2015 this remains the last time Great Britain or England has won The Ashes. Australia regained The Ashes during the 1973 Kangaroo tour, and have not lost them since.

Reilly represented Yorkshire while at Castleford in 1968 against Cumberland and Lancashire.[16]

Coaching career

[edit]

After retiring from playing, Reilly went on to coach Castleford, Leeds, Halifax, Great Britain, and the Newcastle Knights in Australia.

Reilly was the coach in Castleford's 15–14 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1985–86 Challenge Cup Final during the 1985–86 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 3 May 1986, in front of a crowd of 82,134.[17]

In 1987 he succeeded Maurice Bamford as the Great Britain Lions' head coach and opened his reign as with six wins, four against France, and two over Papua New Guinea. He was included in the 1991 Birthday Honours. He stood down as Great Britain's coach in 1994.

Reilly would coach the Lions on their 1988 Oceania tour, defeating Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, but losing The Ashes to Australia. In the dead rubber third Ashes Test at the Sydney Football Stadium, Great Britain defeated Australia 26–12 for the Lions first win over the Aussies since 1978 ending a streak of 15 straight wins. His Lions then defeated the touring New Zealand in 1989 before the Lions toured Papua New Guinea and New Zealand in 1990. The Lions drew the 2 game series with PNG before defeating the Kiwis 2–1. Back home in England, the Lions then faced the 1990 Kangaroos, now coached by former Manly team mate Bob Fulton. After winning the first test over the Australian's at Wembley (giving the Lions 2 straight wins over Australia after having won the 3rd test of the 1988 series), Reilly's men came within 10 minutes of winning The Ashes for the first time since 1970, but it was not to be as Australia would win the second and third tests. After wins over France and the touring Papua New Guinea side in 1991, Reilly then coached his record 3rd Lions tour in 1992. After defeating the Kumuls in Port Moresby, the Lions then again pushed the Fulton coached Australian's, including recording their largest win over Australia in Australia with a stunning 33–10 win in Melbourne, though ultimately the Aussie's again won The Ashes 2–1. Britain then drew their series with New Zealand 1–all, Losing the first test 15–14 before winning the second 19–16 to end the tour on a high note.[18]

The Lions win in the 2nd test in Auckland also assured them a place in the 1992 Rugby League World Cup final against Australia in October. As the top qualifier over the 4 year World Cup tournament, the game was to be played in Australia. However the Australian Rugby League (headed by Ken Arthurson) agreed to have the game moved to the larger Wembley Stadium which at 82,000 had a spectator capacity almost twice as much as the largest Australian venue, the 42,500 seat Sydney Football Stadium. This also gave Mal Reilly's team home ground advantage. In a tense Final played in front of a then international rugby league record attendance of 73,631 fans, Australian débutante centre Steve Renouf scored the only try of the game to give the Aussies a hard fought 10–6 win after the Lions had led 6–4 at half time.[19] Reilly would then go on to win his final 6 games as Great Britain coach, achieving 3 wins over France and sweeping New Zealand 3–0 during their 1993 European tour.

Reilly coached just one England game; a 36–11 win over Wales on 27 Nov 1992 at Vetch Field, Swansea.

Reilly quit as Great Britain coach in early 1994 (his place was taken by former Lions captain Ellery Hanley who was still playing for Leeds at the time). He then took over as coach of Australian club; the Newcastle Knights for the 1995 ARL season, and their results improved markedly. He later coached them to their first grand final at the end of the 1997 ARL season which they won when they defeated his old club and defending Premiers Manly (coached by Bob Fulton) 22–16 after winger Darren Albert scored a try under the posts with only seconds remaining.

On 11 July 1997, he was coach for a one-off game at the Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia v Rest of the World; Australia won 28-8[20]

In 2001 Reilly's book, Reilly: A Life in Rugby League was published. His coaching career continued but he had less success as head coach of the Huddersfield Giants, who finished bottom of Super League under his stewardship. He left the Leeds Rhinos at the end of the 2003's Super League VIII following a major coaching re-structuring. In December 2004, Hull Kingston Rovers appointed Mal Reilly as director of rugby and first team coach. However, Reilly left the club midway through the season.

Reilly at the 2018 Challenge Cup Final

County Cup Final appearances

[edit]

Reilly was the coach in Castleford's 18–22 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1985–86 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1985–86 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Sunday 27 October 1985, was the coach in the 31–24 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1986–87 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1986–87 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 11 October 1986, and was the coach in the 13–33 defeat by Leeds in the 1988–89 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1988–89 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Sunday 16 October 1988.

Best Coached XIII

[edit]

In a 2017 video interview with Rugby AM, Reilly named the best XIII that he had ever coached. That side was:[21]

Robbie O'Davis (Newcastle), Martin Offiah (Great Britain), John Joyner (Castleford), Keith Senior (Great Britain), Jason Robinson (Great Britain), Garry Schofield (Leeds, Great Britain), Andrew Johns (Newcastle), Paul Harragon (Newcastle), Kevin Beardmore (Castleford), Kevin Ward (Castleford, Great Britain), Adam Muir (Newcastle), Denis Betts (Great Britain), Ellery Hanley (Great Britain).

Outside rugby league

[edit]

Reilly used to work as a sales representative in the Newcastle, New South Wales area, but lives in the UK once again.

Honoured by Arriva Yorkshire

[edit]

Arriva Yorkshire honoured 13 rugby league footballers on Thursday 20 August 2009, at a ceremony at The Jungle, the home of the Castleford Tigers. A fleet of new buses were named after the 'Arriva Yorkshire Rugby League Dream Team'. Members of the public nominated the best ever rugby league footballers to have played in West Yorkshire, supported by local rugby league journalists; James Deighton from BBC Leeds, and Tim Butcher, editor of Rugby League World. The 'Arriva Yorkshire Rugby League Dream Team' included Reilly.[22]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mal Reilly

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Malcolm Reilly OBE (born 19 January 1948) is an English former professional rugby league player and coach, celebrated for his ferocious playing style as a lock forward during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, earning him a reputation as one of the most feared competitors in the sport's history. Born in Barkston Ash, , Reilly began his career with in before transferring to the Manly Sea Eagles in for a then-record fee of $30,000 in 1971, where he played 89 games and contributed to premiership victories in 1972 and 1973. Internationally, he represented in three Tests (1970 and 1977) and Great Britain in nine Tests from 1970 to 1974, starring as a key figure in Great Britain's last Ashes-winning tour against in 1970. Reilly's playing accolades include the Lance Todd Trophy in 1969 for his man-of-the-match performance in the Challenge Cup final with Castleford, as well as the Yorkshire Cup in 1981–82 during a later stint with the club where he appeared in 57 games from 1980 to 1985. Known for his no-holds-barred approach in an era of brutal physicality, he documented his experiences in the 2010 autobiography Reilly by Reilly, co-written with Harry Edgar, which chronicles over three decades of the sport's highs and lows, including his involvement in the 1990s Super League schism sparked by Rupert Murdoch's bid to control rugby league. His career bridged England and Australia, making him a household name on both sides of the world. Transitioning to coaching, Reilly led Castleford to the 1986 Challenge Cup, guided Great Britain to series wins over New Zealand, and achieved grand final success with the Newcastle Knights, culminating in their 1997 ARL premiership victory (22–16 over Manly). Inducted into the British Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2014 and appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the game, Reilly's legacy endures through the annual Mal Reilly Trophy contested between Manly and Newcastle, as well as the Fulton-Reilly Award introduced in 2025 for the outstanding player in the Ashes series. In April 2025, at age 77, he was reported to be battling a rare and aggressive form of spinal cancer while undergoing radiotherapy treatment in an English hospital.

Playing career

Castleford Tigers

Mal Reilly made his professional debut for in September 1967 at the age of 19, playing as a loose forward and scoring a try in an 8–10 defeat to . Reilly featured for in two periods: from 1967 to 1971, during which he made 118 appearances (117 league and cup games plus 1 substitute), and upon returning from in 1974 until his retirement in 1986, adding 197 appearances (176 games plus 21 as substitute). Across his Castleford tenure, he scored 68 tries and 6 goals. A key figure in the club's late-1960s success, Reilly played loose forward in the 1969 Challenge Cup Final, helping Castleford secure an 11–6 victory over Salford at Wembley Stadium and earning the Lance Todd Trophy for his man-of-the-match performance. The following year, he again started at loose forward as Castleford defended their title with a 7–2 win against Wigan in the 1970 final, marking back-to-back triumphs that ended a 34-year Wembley drought for the club. Returning in 1974, Reilly anchored the forward pack during Castleford's resurgence, which saw the team challenge for major honors including additional Yorkshire Cup successes, while his aggressive, no-nonsense style cemented his reputation as one of the game's most fearless and toughest players.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

In 1971, at the age of 23, Mal Reilly moved to from , signing with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for a then-record transfer fee of $30,000, which reflected the high expectations placed on the Great Britain international lock forward. He committed to five seasons with the club from 1971 to 1975, adapting quickly to the faster-paced (NSWRL) despite the cultural and stylistic differences from English . Over this period, Reilly made 89 first-grade appearances for Manly, contributing 13 tries, 1 goal, and 41 points in total. Reilly's tenure coincided with Manly's breakthrough era, as he played a key role in their back-to-back NSWRL premiership victories in 1972 and 1973, marking the club's first titles after several near-misses. In the 1972 against Eastern Suburbs Roosters, which Manly won 19-14 at the , Reilly delivered a pivotal towering chip-kick that led to winger Ken Irvine's opening try, helping secure the drought-breaking success before a crowd of 54,537. The following year, in the 1973 decider against —a notoriously brutal encounter—Reilly started strongly but was forced off after just 25 minutes due to a severe kidney injury sustained from a heavy hit, though Manly still prevailed 10-7 to claim the premiership. These appearances solidified his status as a cornerstone of Manly's forward pack during their golden period. Renowned for his ball-playing skills, precise chip-kicks, and unyielding aggression, Reilly earned a fearsome reputation as one of the hardest-hitting players in the physically demanding landscape, often drawing respect—and occasional controversy—through his robust defensive style that bolstered Manly's intimidating pack. His toughness was emblematic of the era's no-holds-barred play, where he frequently engaged in high-impact tackles that intimidated opponents, contributing to the Sea Eagles' success in a time when forward battles defined matches. Despite not setting try-scoring records, his overall influence helped transform Manly into premiership contenders, with his 4 tries each in the triumphant and seasons underscoring his attacking threat from the second row.

Representative appearances

Mal Reilly's representative career began at the regional level, where he earned three caps for in 1968 while playing for , including victories over (23-10) and , showcasing his emerging talent as a formidable loose forward. Reilly secured three caps for between 1970 and 1977. His debut came in 1970 during the , starting in a 26–7 win against and a 9–14 loss against . He made a substitute appearance in 1977 against , contributing to a 13–9 victory (two wins, one loss; 67% win rate). His most prominent representative honors were with , amassing nine caps in 1970 (six wins, three losses; 67% win rate). In 1970, at age 22, Reilly was instrumental in the Lions' triumphant tour of and , playing all three tests against —winning the series 2–1 with victories in the second (28–7) and third (13–12) tests after an opening 21–34 loss—and all three tests against New Zealand, securing a 2–1 series win. He scored his sole international try during this , contributing three points across his test career. The 1970 Ashes victory remains 's last series win over . Overall, Reilly's 12 test caps for and yielded one try and three points, with eight wins and four losses (67% win rate), primarily against formidable opponents like . His form directly propelled these selections, highlighting his aggressive style and leadership in high-stakes .

Coaching career

Club roles

Mal Reilly began his at , initially as a from 1974 before taking full coaching duties around 1980, leading the club through 1987 with a record of 314 games, 170 wins, and a 54.14% win rate. Under his guidance, achieved significant success, including the 1986 victory with a 15–14 win over at , marking the club's fourth such triumph. Reilly also steered to the 1982 Yorkshire Cup final, securing a win that highlighted his early tactical acumen in domestic competitions. His tenure overlapped with his playing days, fostering a disciplined team culture that emphasized physicality and strategic depth. In 1988, Reilly moved to , coaching for two seasons with an impressive 39 games, 27 wins, and 69.23% win rate, transforming the club from mid-table struggles to league contenders through key signings like Phil Ford for £95,000 and Chris Vasey from . These acquisitions bolstered the backline and contributed to the 1988–89 Yorkshire Cup victory over in the final at , ending a five-year drought and improving league standings. Reilly's strategies focused on high-tempo play and defensive resilience, laying foundations for future success at the club. Reilly's stint at Halifax from 1992 to 1994 yielded 54 games, 28 wins, and a 51.85% win rate, positioning the team for consistent playoff contention in a competitive era. His approach emphasized squad rotation and youth integration, resulting in narrow pushes for postseason berths despite challenges from established rivals. Across the Tasman, Reilly coached the from 1995 to 1998, compiling 98 games, 62 wins, and a 63.27% win rate, culminating in the 1997 ARL premiership with a dramatic 22–16 comeback victory over Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He instilled a resilient, attacking style that maximized players like , turning a mid-tier side into champions amid the . Reilly's time at Huddersfield Giants in 1999 involved 32 games, 6 wins, and an 18.75% win rate, focusing on rebuilding a struggling squad post-merger with Sheffield Eagles by prioritizing long-term development over immediate results. Despite finishing at the bottom of , his efforts laid groundwork for future stability through targeted recruitment and training regimens. In 2004, Reilly had a brief but impactful role at , coaching 28 games with 17 wins and a 60.71% win rate in the early season, aiding their promotion push before departing midway. His influence helped secure strong initial results, including key victories that boosted morale and standings in National League One. Over his club coaching career spanning 1980 to 2004, Reilly oversaw 565 games, achieving 310 wins and a 54.87% win rate, while developing notable talents such as Ellery Hanley at and , and Andrew Johns at Newcastle, whose careers flourished under his mentorship.

International roles

Mal Reilly served as head coach of the team from 1987 to 1994, overseeing 42 matches with a record of 29 wins and 13 losses, achieving a 69.05% win rate. During this period, he guided the team through multiple series against , including notable victories such as the 17-6 win in the first of the 1988 series in , the 19-12 triumph at in the opening match of the 1990 series, and the 33-10 second victory in during the 1992 series, though ultimately failed to secure the in any of these contests, recording 3 wins from 9 overall (33.33% win rate). Key players under his leadership included stand-out performers like , whom Reilly appointed as captain and who contributed significantly to the team's attacking structure. Reilly's tenure with Great Britain also encompassed involvement in the 1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup, where the team reached the final but lost 10-6 to at , following a strong campaign that included a 10-6 semifinal win over ; earlier World Cup matches from 1987 contributed to a total of 14 games with 9 wins and 5 losses (64.29% win rate). His coaching philosophy emphasized physicality and mental toughness, drawing from his own hard-nosed playing style to instill a disciplined, confrontational approach that prioritized high-intensity defense and exploiting forward dominance to create opportunities for backs like Schofield and . This tactical focus on physical preparation and clear role assignments was evident in series wins over , where demonstrated superior conditioning in grueling tours. In 1992, Reilly briefly coached for a single international match, a 36-11 victory over at in , resulting in a 100% win rate from that one game. Later, in 1997, he took charge of the Rest of the World invitational side for a one-off exhibition match against at Suncorp Stadium in , which ended in a 28-8 defeat, yielding a 0% win rate. Across his international coaching career, Reilly managed 45 games in total (43 Tests and 2 other international matches), securing 31 wins and 14 losses for an overall win rate of 68.89%.

Achievements and honours

Playing achievements

Mal Reilly's playing career was marked by significant team successes in both and . With , he contributed to back-to-back victories, first in 1969 when defeated 11-6 at , where Reilly earned the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match for his outstanding performance as loose forward. The following year, in 1970, repeated as champions with a 7-2 win over , securing the trophy in a hard-fought final. Later, during his stint with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the (NSWRL), Reilly played a key role in their first two premiership titles, defeating Eastern Suburbs 19-14 in the 1972 and overcoming Cronulla-Sutherland 10-7 in a drawn replay for the 1973 premiership, though he suffered an early injury in the latter. Reilly's individual contributions underscored his reputation as one of the toughest and most feared forwards of his era, often described as the "hardest player of his generation" due to his aggressive style, physicality, and leadership on the field. His selection in the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles' 60th anniversary Dream Team in highlighted his impact during his 89 games for the club, where he scored 13 tries. Over his career, Reilly amassed impressive statistical milestones, playing more than 400 senior matches across (315 appearances, 68 tries) and Manly (89 appearances, 13 tries), while also representing in 9 Tests (all in 1970), including the Ashes-winning series against . Reilly also represented and was part of 's 1970 World Cup-winning squad.

Coaching achievements

As coach of , Mal Reilly led the team to victory in the , defeating 15-14 in the final at . This triumph marked Castleford's fourth win and highlighted Reilly's tactical acumen in transforming the club into a competitive force during the 1980s. Later, with the in Australia, Reilly guided the team to their first-ever NRL Premiership in , securing a dramatic 22-16 win over Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, his former playing club. This achievement came amid the , underscoring Reilly's resilience in navigating off-field turmoil to deliver on-field success. Reilly's overall coaching record reflects his progressive approach, emphasizing fitness, discipline, and player development. Across 467 games in the UK, he achieved a win percentage of 53.10%, while his tenure with Newcastle yielded a 63.27% success rate over 98 matches. As head coach from 1987 to 1994, he posted an impressive 69.77% win rate in 43 Tests, including series victories over in 1988 and 1989, though series against remained elusive despite competitive showings. These statistics demonstrate Reilly's ability to implement innovative methods that elevated team performance in both domestic and international arenas. In a 2017 interview, Reilly selected his "Best Coached XIII" from players he had guided, featuring talents such as fullback John Joyner, stand-off Deryck Fox, and Dean Ripley from , alongside Newcastle stars like and Robbie Fulton. This lineup underscored his influence on a diverse group of athletes across clubs and nations. Notably, Reilly played a pivotal role in nurturing ' early career at Newcastle, adapting his coaching style to harness the halfback's creativity and leadership, which contributed to Johns' emergence as one of rugby league's all-time greats. For his contributions to the sport, Reilly was awarded the (OBE) in 1995 for services to . This honor recognized his broader impact as a coach who bridged British and Australian traditions, fostering international talent and competitive standards.

Post-retirement recognitions

Following his retirement from coaching in 2004, Malcolm Reilly was inducted into the British Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2014, recognizing his outstanding contributions as both a player and coach in the sport. In 2011, Reilly published his autobiography Reilly by Reilly, co-written with Harry Edgar, offering a detailed account of his career achievements and experiences across , , and . On 23 October 2025, the Australian Rugby League Commission and the announced the creation of the Fulton-Reilly Award, a new honor for the outstanding player across the Test series, co-named in tribute to Reilly and Australian legend for their enduring impact on the -Great Britain rivalry through playing and coaching. The award commemorates Reilly's contributions to the as a player (1970 series win) and coach (leading GB in four series from 1988–1994, including Test victories) and his earlier playing successes against . was named the inaugural recipient on 8 November 2025 after the series, with Reilly presenting the award at the third Test in .

Personal life

Early life

Malcolm John Reilly was born on 19 January 1948 in Barkston Ash, a village in the , . Reilly grew up in a working-class family in the area, a region deeply rooted in the mining industry and tradition, which profoundly shaped his early years. After leaving —where he was influenced by teacher Roy Close—he took up employment at a local colliery, reflecting the typical path for many youths in Yorkshire's industrial heartland at the time. His introduction to rugby league came somewhat serendipitously during his time at the colliery. Initially drawn to soccer, Reilly switched sports after missing his soccer team bus one day and boarding the transport instead; he played eight amateur games in local competitions before catching the attention of scouts. These early amateur outings honed his skills in a tough, community-driven environment, fostering the physicality and determination that would define his career. Reilly's first senior appearances followed soon after as a teenager, marking his entry into organized through the ' youth development pathways.

Later years and health

After retiring from coaching in 2001 following a stint with , Malcolm Reilly largely stepped away from the professional spotlight, focusing on personal endeavors including authoring his , Reilly: A Life in Rugby League, co-written with Harry Edgar and published in 2010, which provided a candid account of his and the brutal era of the sport. He made occasional media appearances, such as a 2016 reflecting on his playing and coaching highlights and a 2021 with Ellis Rugby discussing his trailblazing . In early 2025, at the age of 77, Reilly was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive , leading to his hospitalization in . He began radiotherapy treatment in April 2025 to combat the cancer, with his son Glenn publicly sharing family updates on the challenges and expressing gratitude for support. By July 2025, medical reports indicated positive progress, though Reilly remained in for ongoing care. Reilly, residing in West Yorkshire with his wife Sue and supported by family including son Glenn, has continued to battle the illness while receiving treatment in an English hospital. The rugby league community has rallied around him, with tributes from clubs like Newcastle Knights, Manly Sea Eagles, and Castleford Tigers, including an honor in October 2025 where a new Ashes Player of the Series award was named in his and Bob Fulton's honor. Fans and former players have shared messages of encouragement worldwide, highlighting his enduring legacy.

References

  1. https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/208568/malcolm-reilly
  2. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nrl/article-14577955/Malcolm-Reilly-rugby-league-NRL-fight-life-spine-cancer-Manly-Sea-Eagles-Newcastle-Knights.html
  3. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/malcolm-reilly/summary.html
  4. https://www.rugby-league.com/article/64317/fulton-reilly-award-to-honour-ashes-legends
  5. https://legendsofleague.picturehouse77.com/2022/08/29/malcolm-reilly/
  6. https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/news/mal-reilly-challenge-cup-wembley-1161419
  7. https://archive.castigersheritage.com/?d=true&i=280&c=1960s
  8. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/challenge-cup-1969-70/summary.html
  9. https://www.totalrl.com/rugby-league-heroes-the-hardest-player-of-his-generation/
  10. https://news.bet365.com/en-gb/article/rugby-league-ashes-greatest-players/2025102013012491503
  11. https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2016/04/24/malcolm-reilly-challenge-trophy/
  12. https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/04/11/1972-grand-final-rewind-sixth-time-lucky-for-drought-breaking-sea-eagles/
  13. https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/01/14/1973-grand-final-rewind-sea-eagles-prevail-in-brutal-battle-of-the-beaches/
  14. https://uk.blastingnews.com/sport/2018/03/five-of-the-best-castleford-players-from-the-1970s-002466153.html
  15. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/head2head/england-vs-wales/tests/resultsbrief.html
  16. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/head2head/england-vs-france/all/results.html
  17. https://ellisrugby.com/the-ashes-series-1970/
  18. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/50-years-on-forward-malcolm-reilly-recalls-how-he-almost-missed-great-britains-finest-hour-2903939
  19. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/coaches/malcolm-reilly/summary.html
  20. https://www.therhinos.co.uk/timeline/1980s/1988-1989
  21. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/Championship_1993-94/halifax/summary.html
  22. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8935823/legendary-knights-coach-mal-reilly-faces-health-challenge/
  23. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ranking-every-permanent-huddersfield-giants-coach-of-the-super-league-era
  24. https://www.giantsrl.com/the-club/club-history
  25. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/national-league-one-2004/hull-kr/summary.html
  26. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/articles/clydpdpzv12o
  27. https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63884/lion-hearts---a-look-back-on-great-britains-1990-ashes-victory-against-australia-at-wembley
  28. https://www.theroar.com.au/2022/11/15/marvelous-highs-and-devastating-lows-looking-back-at-the-best-rugby-league-world-cup-finals/
  29. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/australia-vs-rest-of-the-world-1997/australia-vs-rest-of-the-world.html
  30. https://ellisrugby.com/inspired-legends-hall-fame-collection-ellis-rugby-malcom-reilly-castleford-manly-great-britain/
  31. https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2025/06/05/keeping-hold-of-the-malcolm-reilly-trophy/
  32. https://www.facebook.com/MWRLFC/posts/august-5-2006manly-warringah-sea-eagles-60th-year-dream-teamfrom-l-to-r-ben-kenn/1176669294497193/
  33. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/390048/reilly-by-reilly-malcolm/9781845966683
  34. https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/10/23/fulton-reillyawardto-honour-ashes-legends/
  35. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/new-ashes-honour-for-castleford-tigers-legend-ex-leeds-rhinos-coach-malcolm-reilly-5371900
  36. https://www.rugby-league.com/article/64400/munster-wins-fulton-reilly-award
  37. https://www.amazon.com/Reilly-Life-Rugby-League/dp/1845966686
  38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7brDMW2cA
  39. https://ellisrugby.com/ellis-rugby-malcolm-reilly-podcast-episode-6/
  40. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/inaugural-knights-premiership-coach-and-manly-legend-malcolm-reilly-fighting-for-his-life/news-story/a3cfcf0fceb81836728b4f9d58473c53
  41. https://www.totalrl.com/ex-castleford-and-manly-hero-malcolm-reilly-battling-for-his-life-with-spine-cancer/
  42. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8939374/update-on-former-knights-coach-malcolm-reillys-cancer-battle/
  43. https://www.facebook.com/groups/167872180664214/posts/1905374960247252/
  44. https://www.geocities.ws/knights_season/reilly.html
  45. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/bob-fulton-and-malcolm-reilly-awarded-naming-honour-of-ashes-top-performer-trophy/news-story/139ffaa3749f84b57a36ea696cf7760a
  46. https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/new-ashes-award-honours-castleford-legend-malcolm-reilly-5375761
  47. https://www.facebook.com/groups/167872180664214/posts/1996159327835481/
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