Introduction
Keith John Fielding (8 July 1949) born in Birmingham, is an English dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s playing representative level rugby union (RU) for England, and at club level for Moseley Rugby Football Club, as a Wing, i.e. number 11 or 14, and playing representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Salford, as a Wing, i.e. number 2 or 5.
Playing career
International honours
Keith Fielding won caps for England (RU) while at Moseley in 1969 against Ireland, France, Scotland, and South Africa, in 1970 against Ireland, and France, in 1972 against Wales, Ireland, France, and Scotland, won caps for England (RL) while at Salford in 1975 against France, in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against France, Wales, New Zealand, Australia, Wales and France, in 1975 against Papua New Guinea (non-Test).
He equalled the England national team's record for most tries by an individual in a match when he scored four against France at Parc Lescure, Bordeaux on Saturday 11 October 1975.
Fielding also won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Salford in 1974 against France (2 matches), and in the 1977 Rugby League World Cup against France, and Australia.
County Cup final appearances
Keith Fielding played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2, in Salford's 9-19 defeat by Wigan in the 1973 Lancashire Cup final during the 1973–74 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 13 October 1973, played Right-Wing, and scored a conversion in the 2-6 defeat by Widnes in the 1974 Lancashire Cup final during the 1974–75 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 2 November 1974, and played Right-Wingin the 7-16 defeat by Widnes in the 1975 Lancashire Cup final during the 1975–76 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 4 October 1975.
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final appearances
Keith Fielding played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2, in Salford's 0-0 draw with Warrington in the 1974 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1974–75 season at The Willows, Salford on Tuesday 17 December 1974, and played Right-Wing, and scored a try in the 10-5 victory over Warrington in the 1974 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final replay during the 1974–75 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Tuesday 28 January 1975.
Superstars
Keith Fielding achieved fame by participating in the televised all-around sports competition Superstars, winning the 1977 French European Superstars Heat, the 1981 British Final and the 1981 Challenge of Champions. He also finished second in the 1977 European Final, fifth in the 1978 World Final, third in the 1981 International Final, fifth in the 1981 World Final and third in the 1982 British Final.
Superstars record
| Year | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | French Heat | 1st |
| 1977 | European Final | 2nd |
| 1978 | World Final | 5th |
| 1981 | Challenge of the Champions | 1st |
| 1981 | British Final | 1st |
| 1981 | International | 3rd |
| 1981 | World Final | 5th |
| 1982 | British Final | 3rd |
Outside of rugby
Keith Fielding attended King Edward VI Five Ways school in Birmingham, and was a teacher at Marple Hall School and Bramhall High School in Stockport. Fielding quit his role at the latter school in 2008 after declaring the job was too stressful. Keith Fielding also taught at Alderman Newton's Grammar school in Leicester in the early 1970s before turning professional.