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Biography
Mick Sullivan by Dave Dooley:

Mick Sullivan was born in Dewsbury on the 12 January 1934. Sullivan signed for Huddersfield from Shawcross Boys Club on 29 May 1952 as an 11 stone, 18 year-old right winger. He soon gained a reputation as a quick, direct and decisive player. Saints signed him from Wigan for a world record `£11 000 fee. He only played for the Saints in the seasons 1960/1961, 1961 /62 and 1962 /63.

Mick was signed by Harry Cook before the 1961 Challenge Cup deadline. Within seven days this signalled the departure of Jan Prinsloo to Wakefield for `£9000. Sullivan made his debut for Saints on January 16th, 1961 playing centre and scoring a try in a hard fought 22- 15 home victory over Hull. In that season Sullivan scored four tries in 19 matches.

The following season (1961/2) Mick crossed the line 15 times in 31 matches. In his final season with Saints Sully scored 10 tries in 30 matches. Altogether Mick played 80 matches for the Saints scoring 29 tries. This relatively paltry total for an international winger in my opinion can be accounted for by two significant factors. Firstly, the team at the time `favoured` getting the ball out to the prolific Vollenhoven and Mick played in several positions for the team developing a different, more defensive role for the side.

Alex Service writes in his book `The March of the Saints`

"Arguably the greatest left winger in the post war era, Mick Sullivan made his name in the 1954 World Cup in France and wore an international jersey each year between 1954 and 1963 - an incredible achievement. Skilful in attack, he scored an astounding 38 tries in 19 matches during the 1958 tour down under.

Signed by Wigan from Huddersfield fro a then record fee of £9,500 in 1957, he won two Challenge Cup medals with the pie-eaters in 1958 and 1959 scoring a try in each Wembley Final. He scored a try for the Great Britain side that defeated Australia in the 1960 World Cup Final. This was his second such medal having been part of the GB side that carried off the first World Cup in France in 1954.

There were times when Sully`s experience was utilised in both centre and stand off during his first seas
on at Knowsley Road when he was required to shadow a potentially dangerous opponent. Although barely 12 stones, Sullivan was renowned for his tackling ability and often had to mark players 2 or 3 stones heavier than himself! "
During his brief career with Saints, Mick Sullivan gained 10 caps for Great Britain, played once for England and added three caps to his Yorkshire headwear collection. He played for Saints in the 1961 RL Cup Final performing creditably in his role in containing the mighty Billy Boston. He also gained winners medals in the 1961 and 1962 Lancashire Cup Finals when saints beat Swinton 25- 9 and 7 - 4 respectively.

I recall Mick scoring five tries against his old club Huddersfield on February 3rd. 1962 in a 36-5 victory. He was transferred to York and later played for his hometown Dewsbury. For the lattermentioned club in 1966 Mick led them to a Challenge Cup semi-final against one of the greatest of all Saints` sides. In that match the lowly Yorkshire side nearly pulled off one of the greatest upsets of all time. The match was characterised by many a trade-mark crunch tackle from Sully playing loose forward.

His international career was truly remarkable. He made his debut in the 1954 World Cup match against Australia in Lyons. Playing in the centre he helped pull off a surprise 28-13 win. Mick carried on to play in all four tournament games and did not miss a Test or World Cup game for the next seven years. He scored four Test hat tricks for Great Britain. His most famous was in the Third Test on the 1958 Tour against Australia when Mick helped the Lions to a famous ashes winning 40-17 victory at the Sydney Cricket ground. Mick Sullivan played a record breaking 46 times for Great Britain scoring 41 tries.

He won every honour in the game scoring a total of 342 tries with Huddersfield, Wigan, Saints, York and Dewsbury. After his career was over in GB Mick went to play for Junee in a rebel NSW league for one season.