Phil Lowe

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Philip Thomas Lowe, known as Phil Lowe, was an English rugby league player and coach. He was born on 19 January 1950 in Hull, England, and died on 20 March 2024 at age 74.

Club career
Lowe spent most of his playing days with Hull Kingston Rovers (1967–1983), appearing in nearly 500 games and scoring many tries. In 1974 he moved to Australia to play for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, helping them win the 1976 Grand Final and scoring a try in that game. He returned to Hull KR and retired from playing in 1983. He was Hull KR’s Player of the Season in 1968–69 and again in 1972–73, when he set a club record for a forward with 26 tries in a single season.

Representative honours
Lowe represented Yorkshire, England, and Great Britain. He was part of Great Britain’s 1972 World Cup-winning team. He was selected for the 1977 World Cup but withdrew because of a contract dispute between Hull KR and Manly.

Coaching and later work
After retiring as a player, he coached York from 1983 to 1987, helping them win promotion and reach the Challenge Cup semi-finals. He later served as a director of Hull Kingston Rovers and, in 1995, managed England’s Rugby League World Cup team.

Personal life
Lowe was married to Avril, and they had two children, Kate and Andrew. Outside rugby, he worked in hospitality as a pub landlord, was a qualified electrician, and invested in property. He owned The Shakespeare pub before passing it to his daughter.

Funeral and legacy
Phil Lowe’s funeral took place at Hull KR’s Craven Park on 15 April 2024. In December 2025, the street leading to Craven Park was renamed Phil Lowe Way in his memory.