Introduction
Isaac "Ike" Southward (born 15 August 1934 in Maryport — died 6 June 2006(2006-06-06) (aged 71) in Workington) was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s, and coach of the 1960s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, and Cumberland, and at club level for Workington Town (twice), and Oldham, as a Wing, i.e. number 2 or 5, and coaching at club level for Whitehaven and Workington Town.
Playing career
International honours
Ike Southward won caps for Great Britain while at Workington Town in 1958 against Australia (3 matches) and New Zealand, while at Oldham in 1959 against France (2 matches), and Australia (2 matches), and in 1960 against France (2 matches), and New Zealand.
Ike Southward also represented Great Britain while at Workington Town in 1956 against France (1 non-Test match).
Four Workington players were selected for the 1958 tour of Australia, and New Zealand; Harry Archer, Brian Edgar, Ike Southward and Bill Wookey (later of Barrow).
Challenge Cup final appearances
Ike Southward played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2, and scored a try and three conversions in Workington Town's 9–13 defeat by Wigan in the 1958 Challenge Cup final during the 1957–58 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 10 May 1958.
Club career
Oldham paid Workington Town a straight cash world-record transfer fee of £10,065 for Ike Southward at the start of the 1959–60 Northern Rugby Football League season (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £465,100 in 2013), Workington Town then paid Oldham a straight cash world-record transfer fee of £11,002 10s 0d for Ike Southward during the 1960–61 Northern Rugby Football League season (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £499,300 in 2013), this was £2 10s 0d more than St. Helens had recently paid Wigan for Mick Sullivan.
Career records
Ike Southward holds Workington Town's "Tries in a Career" record (with 274-tries between 1951 and 1968), "Tries in a Match" record (with 7-tries against Blackpool Borough in 1955), and "Consecutive matches in which tries were scored" record (with 10-tries from April to May 1958).
Genealogical information
Ike Southward's marriage to Sarah Elizabeth "Betty" McDonald (birth registered October→December 1934 (age 82–83) in Cockermouth district) was registered during July→September 1955 in Cockermouth district, they had children; David M. Southward (birth registered April→June 1957 (age 59–60) in Cockermouth district), and Judith E. Southward (birth registered April→June 1961 (age 55–56) in Cockermouth district)