Derek Whitehead :: 1969-1979
First game: 04/10/1969, Last game: 13/05/1979, Played: 245+29, Tries: 17, Goals: 713, Drop Goals: 21, Points: 1,516
Derek Whitehead became only the second Warrington player to win the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match in the Challenge Cup Final. His seven goals in 1974 helped Warrington to defeat Featherstone Rovers 24-9 to lift the cup.
A man of the match performance by Derek had seen Warrington win the Captain Morgan Trophy, he kicked six goals and a try against Rochdale Hornets in the Players No.6 Trophy success and two more goals in 13-12 victory over St Helens in the Club Championship final. This rounded off a great season for Derek who equalled Harry Bath’s club record of 162 goals in a season and finished with four winners medals. He returned to Wembley the following season only to lose to Widnes.
Whitehead joined Warrington in September 1969 from Oldham. He joined the professional ranks at Swinton from Folly Lane, before moving on to Oldham. At full back he stood 5ft 10in and weighed 13st, a butcher by trade, he would “carve up” many a defence with his classic sidestepping attacking runs.
Whilst at Warrington Whitehead played three times for Great Britain, scoring a try and six goals, he also made five appearances for Lancashire, scoring a try and fifteen goals.
In 1979/80, whilst on the coaching staff at Wilderspool, Derek was awarded a well deserved Testimonial.
