Don Burland Explained

Don Burland
Full Name:Donald William Burland
Birth Date:22 January 1908
Birth Place:Bristol, England
Death Place:St Austell, England
Position:Centre
Repyears1:1931–33
Repcaps1:8
Reppoints1:23

Donald William Burland (22 January 1908 – 26 January 1976) was an English international rugby union player.[1]

Burland was born in Bristol and educated at Kingsholme School in Weston-super-Mare. He played soccer during his early years, until taking up rugby union when he moved to the Bristol suburb of Horfield at age 14 and joined a local church side. Three years later was invited to play for Bristol "A".[2]

A centre three-quarter, Burland played in the firsts for Bristol from 1926 to 1934. He was a member of the Gloucestershire side which won three consecutive County Championships during the early 1930s and won eight England caps, debuting in the 1931 Five Nations. His England career included a match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, where he scored all of England's points in a 11–8 win, with a converted try and two penalties.[3] After two seasons as captain of Bristol, Burland dislocated a shoulder playing against Aldershot Services in 1934, an injury which prematurely ended his career at 26.[2] He scored 118 tries from his 194 appearances for Bristol.[4]

Burland's half-brother, the son of Bristol City goalkeeper Harry Clay, died in the sinking of the HMS Courageous.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: England Rugby player moved to Cornwall . . 12 February 1976.
  2. News: Only Eight Years In Rugby But Don Burland Took Most Of The Honours . . 22 February 1964.
  3. News: Rugby international Don Burland dies . Bristol Evening Post . 27 January 1976.
  4. News: Mr D Burland . The New Observer . 30 January 1976.
  5. News: Bristol Victims of the Courageous . Bristol Evening Post . 21 September 1939.