Challenge Cup - Lance Todd Trophy - Lance Todd

The Lance Todd Trophy is presented to the Man of the Match at the Challenge Cup Final. The winner is selected by the members of the Rugby League Writer’s Association present at the game and he is presented with the trophy at a celebratory dinner at The Willows, home of the Salford City Reds. The Trophy belongs to the Red Devils Association, the official body representing ex-Salford players, and it has been awarded to the Man of the Match at Challenge Cup Finals since 1946. The trophy was introduced in memory of Lance Todd, the New Zealand born player and administrator, who was killed in a road accident during the Second World War. Picture taken from the Album section of www.wiganworld.co.uk - the Wigan site for Wigan people.

A member of the inaugural New Zealand touring team in 1907, Lance Todd appeared in all three Tests against the then Northern Union before signing for Wigan on 15 February, 1908. A centre, he proved to be a great acquisition for the English club, playing an inspirational role for the next six years. He eventually joined Dewsbury in the January of 1914 for more than £400, a huge fee at that time.

Then, following retirement and a spell out of the game, he returned to rugby league in 1928 as manager of Salford. Under his guidance, the club became the dominant force of the 1930s - and that was in no small measure to his ability for spotting talent. He was responsible for luring Gus Risman to league, the former Cardiff rugby union player going on to become on the game's legends.

With the likes of Risman, Alan Edwards, Emlyn Watkins and Barney Hudson in the ranks, it was hardly a surprise that Salford began to sweep all before them. It was the most successful period in the history of the club, including the Rugby League Championship three times, the Lancashire League Championship five times, the Lancashire Cup four times and the Challenge Cup.

The outbreak of World War Two in 1939 interrupted the flow of silverware. Then Todd tragically died in 1942 following a road accident in Oldham. Keen to keep his name alive, Australian-born commentator Harry Sunderland, Warrington director Bob Anderton and Yorkshire journalist John Bapty inaugurated the Lance Todd Trophy in 1946. Awarded to the man of the match in the Challenge Cup final, the first winner was Wakefield Trinity centre Billy Stott following his side's 13-12 win over Wigan in 1946.