Leonard Constance
# Leonard Constance

Leonard "Len" Constance (2 November 1922 – October 1990) was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached rugby league in the 1950s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Hampshire, and at club level for Newport RFC, Bristol, Portsmouth, Royal Navy and Combined Services, as a fly-half and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens, Dewsbury (captain), Wigan, and Wakefield Trinity, as a centre, or stand-off, and coached club level rugby league (RL) at Dewsbury.

## Background

Len Constance's birth was registered in Pontypool district, Wales, he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and he died aged c. 67–68 in Wales.

## Playing career

### International honours

Len Constance won 3 caps for Wales (RL) in 1948–1951 while at St. Helens, and Dewsbury.

### County League appearances

Len Constance played in Wigan's victory in the Lancashire League during the 1951–52 season.

### Notable tour matches

Len Constance played stand-off, and scored a goal in Wigan's 8–15 defeat by New Zealand at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 3 November 1951.

### Club career

On Thursday 20 January 1949, Leonard Constance was sold by St. Helens to Dewsbury for £2000 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £162,900 in 2013) along with Harry Street who was sold for £1000, the £3000 raised, contributed to the £4000 St. Helens paid Belle Vue Rangers for Stan McCormick, Constance made his début for Wakefield Trinity during September 1952.

## Coaching career

### Club career

Len Constance was the coach of Dewsbury from Tuesday 10 July 1951, until 21-days later when he placed himself on the transfer list on Tuesday 31 July 1951, shortly after this he joined Wigan (as did fellow Dewsbury player; Harry Street) on-or-before Saturday 18 August 1951.

## Outside of rugby

Leonard Constance taught at Rivington Road School in St. Helens, where another Welsh St. Helens player, Don Gullick also taught

## Genealogical information

Leonard Constance's marriage to Elsie B. (née Nixon) (birth registered second ¼ 1927 in Prescot district) was registered during fourth ¼ 1948 in St. Helens district, they had children; Susan H. Constance (birth registered third ¼ 1951 (age 71–72) in St. Helens district), Gillian K. R. Constance (birth registered first ¼ 1953 (age 69–70) in St.Helens district), and Michael S. Constance (birth registered second ¼ 1956 (age 66–67) in Pontypool district).

