Les Tonks
{{short description|English rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Les Tonks
|fullname = Leslie Tonks
|nickname =
|image = Leslie Tonks - Featherstone Rovers.jpeg
|imagesize = 192
|caption =
|birth_date = {{circa|1942}}
|birth_place = Pontefract district, England
|death_place =
|height =
|weight =
|position = {{rlp|PR}}
|club1 = {{nowrap|Featherstone Rovers}}
|year1start = 1961
|year1end = 74
|appearances1 = 307
|tries1 = 15
|goals1 = 1
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 47
|club2 = {{nowrap|→ Hull Kingston Rovers}}
|year2start = 1970(Loan)
|year2end =
|appearances2 = 2
|tries2 =
|goals2 =
|fieldgoals2 =
|points2 =
|club3 = Wakefield Trinity
|year3start = 1974
|year3end = 76
|appearances3 = 55
|tries3 = 1
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 6
|teamA = Great Britain U-24
|yearAstart = 1965
|yearAend =
|appearancesA = 2
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|retired = yes
|source = {{Rugby league records |id=18818 |title=Les Tonks |access-date=12 January 2024}}
}}
Leslie Tonks ({{circa|1942}} – 17 November 2017) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at club level for Featherstone Rovers, Hull Kingston Rovers and Wakefield Trinity, as a {{rlp|pr}}.
Playing career
=Featherstone Rovers=
Tonks made his début for Featherstone Rovers on Saturday 9 September 1961.Bailey, Ron (20 September 2001). Images of Sport - Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Football Club. The History Press. {{ISBN|0752422952}}
Tonks played {{rlp|pr}} in Featherstone Rovers' 17-12 victory over Barrow in the 1966–67 Challenge Cup Final during the 1966–67 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1967, in front of a crowd of 76,290. He also played {{rlp|pr}} in Featherstone Rovers' 9-12 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1969–70 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1969–70 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 20 September 1969.
=Hull KR=
Tonks spent the 1970/71 season on loan to Hull Kingston Rovers, playing in two matches.
=Return to Featherstone=
Tonks' benefit season and testimonial match at the Featherstone Rovers took place during the 1972–73 season.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
He played prop in the 33-14 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1972–73 Challenge Cup Final during the 1972–73 season at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 12 May 1973, in front of a crowd of 72,395, and also in the 9-24 defeat by Warrington in the 1973–74 Challenge Cup Final during the 1973–74 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1974, in front of a crowd of 77,400, he is the only player to play in three Challenge Cup finals for Featherstone Rovers.
=Wakefield Trinity=
In September 1974, Tonks followed coach Peter Fox and joined Wakefield Trinity.{{cite web|url=http://marklaspalmas.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/les-tonks.html|title=Les Tonks|website=marklaspalmas.blogspot.co.nz|date=8 November 2014 |accessdate=11 June 2017}} He retired after the 1975/76 season.
=Representative honours=
On 3 April 1965, Tonks played in the first ever Great Britain under-24 international match in a 17–9 win against France under-24's.{{cite book |editor-last=Saxton |editor-first=Irvin |title=History of Rugby League: No.70 1964–1965| publisher=League Publications}}
Honoured at Featherstone Rovers
Tonks is a Featherstone Rovers' Hall of Fame inductee.{{cite web|url=http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/featherstone-rovers-legends-added-to-hall-of-fame-1-8214653|title=Featherstone Rovers legends added to Hall of Fame|publisher=pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk|date=5 November 2016|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Featherstone Rovers - 1966–67 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Featherstone Rovers - 1972–73 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Featherstone Rovers Hall of Fame Inductees}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonks, Les}}
Category:English rugby league players
Category:Featherstone Rovers players
Category:Hull Kingston Rovers players
Category:Rugby league players from Pontefract
Category:Wakefield Trinity players
Category:Great Britain under-24 national rugby league team players