Ronnie Duane

Ronald "Ronnie" Duane (born 31 May 1963), also known by the nickname of "Rhino", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Warrington, Oldham and Rochdale Hornets as a centre, or second-row.

Background

Ronnie Duane's birth was registered in Newton, St. Helens, Lancashire, England.

Born in Warrington, Duane joined his hometown club from Woolston Rovers in April 1981. He made his debut for Warrington in October 1981 against Hull.^[2]

Duane played centre in Warrington's 16–0 victory over St Helens in the 1982 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1982–83 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 23 October 1982, and played as an substitute, replacing Second-row Gary Sanderson, in the 24–16 victory over Oldham in the 1989 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1989–90 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 14 October 1989,^[3]

Duane played as a substitute, replacing Scrum-half Steve Peters, in the 4–18 defeat by Wigan in the 1986–87 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1986–87 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 10 January 1987.^[4]

In 2011, Duane was inducted into Warrington's Hall of Fame.^[2]

In July 1990, Duane was signed by Oldham for an undisclosed fee.^[5]

In August 1991, Duane and Oldham teammate Brett Clark were sold to Rochdale Hornets in exchange for Neil Holding.^[6]

Duane played and scored a try in Rochdale Hornets 14–24 defeat by St Helens in the 1991–92 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1991–92 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Sunday 20 October 1991.

He finished his playing career with Swinton, where he was appointed as club captain.^[7]

Ronnie Duane won caps for Great Britain while at Warrington in 1983 against France (2 matches), and in 1984 against France,^[1] he played in Great Britain's 40-13 victory over Northern Territory during the 1984 Great Britain Lions tour at Darwin, Northern Territory, his tour lasted nine minutes before he was injured with torn knee-ligaments.^[8]

Ronnie Duane is the younger brother of the rugby league centre who played in the 1980s for Warrington, Rochdale Hornets and Springfield Borough; Ian Duane.

^ ^a ^b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Hall Of Fame: Boardman, Martyn AND Duane". Warrington Wolves. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
^ "Wolves Heritage 801 To 900". warringtonwolves.com. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
^ "10th January 1987: Warrington 4 Wigan 18 (John Player Trophy Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
^ "Ex-GB Star Duane Signs For Oldham". Oldham Advertiser. 19 July 1990. p. 34 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^ Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1992). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1992-93. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7472-7906-8.
^ "Rugby League Round-Up: Goulding's happy return". The Independent. 30 August 1992. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
^ "Changing Times - 1970 to 1995". warringtonwolves.com. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.