Ken Traill

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Ken Traill (7 September 1926 – 25 March 2002) was an English rugby league player and coach. He played as a loose forward for Hunslet, Bradford Northern, Halifax and Wakefield Trinity, and represented England, Great Britain and Yorkshire.

Born in West Wylam, Northumberland, Traill started his career with Hunslet in 1944, with a break for RAF service. In 1947 he joined Bradford Northern, helping the club reach important finals, including the 1947–48 Challenge Cup Final and the 1948–49 final, which Bradford won. He later played for Halifax (1955–57) and then Wakefield Trinity (1957–59), where he became player-coach.

As Wakefield’s coach, Traill led the team to significant successes in the 1960s, including Challenge Cup victories in 1962 and 1963 and a Championship title in 1968, along with other finals. He retired as a player in 1970 and continued coaching Wakefield Trinity.

Internationally, Traill earned England caps (three) and Great Britain caps (eight), and also played for Yorkshire. In 2007 Bradford Northern named him in their Team of the Century.

Off the field, he was the son of Jim Traill, a former rugby league player, and lived in Leeds with his wife, Joan. He died in Guiseley, West Yorkshire, aged 75.