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Les Cleal

  • Playing Career

Playing Career

All information provided below is based only on data available in the RLP database and should be used as a guide only.

Vital Statistics

Born
Tuesday, 24th July, 1956
Current Age
69 years and 320 days

Known Family Links

Nephew
Kane Cleal
Brother
Noel Cleal

Biography

Les Cleal followed his brother Noel to Easts in 1982 after leading NSW Country teams Sawtell and Scone to Clayton Cup success. Les Cleal returned home after one season, taking Tumbarumba to similar heights in the mid-1980s. Cleal set something of a modern-day record by playing with 13 clubs during his career, including an 11-game stint with Widnes in 1986-87.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Playing Career Statistics

To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
Representative Career - International   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Tour Matches North CoastNOC - 1 - 1 ----- - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Tour Matches Northern DivisionNDV - 1 - 1 1---1 - - - 3 - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Tour Matches RiverinaRIV - - 1 1 ----- - - - - - - - 1 - - 100.00% List
Club Career - Australia   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - 14 - 14 4---4 - - - 12 - - - 12 2 - 85.71% List
NRL Finals - 3 - 3 1---1 - - - 3 - - - 2 1 - 66.67% List
Midweek Cup - 1 - 1 ----- - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Club Career - UK   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
English Championship - 6 1 7 -1--1 - - - 4 - - - 3 4 - 42.86% List
Regal Trophy - 3 1 4 -1--1 - - - 4 - - - 3 1 - 75.00% List
UK Top Division - 6 1 7 -1--1 - - - 4 - - - 3 4 - 42.86% List
Overall   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
First Class  26 3 29 52--7 - - - 23 - - - 19 10 - 65.52% List

Australia - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
North Coast 1978   1 - 1 ----- - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Northern Division 1979   1 - 1 1---1 - - - 3 - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Riverina 1986   - 1 1 ----- - - - - - - - 1 - - 100.00% List

NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Year

Team Season   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Eastern SuburbsEastern Suburbs 19821982 NSWRFL Winfield Cup   14 - 144---4 - - - 12 - - - 12 2 - 85.71% List

NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Eastern Suburbs 1982   14 - 14 4---4 - - - 12 - - - 12 2 - 85.71% List

English Career - By Year

Team Season   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
WidnesWidnes 1986/87   9 2 11-2--2 - - - 8 - - - 6 5 - 54.55% List

English Career - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Widnes 1986   9 2 11 -2--2 - - - 8 - - - 6 5 - 54.55% List

Your Say

  • Fred
    14 May 2012 8:11pm

    Have always been a Parra supporter, but have to admire what the Cleals brought to the game. Well done, wish you all a long and healthy future.
    Best regards,
    Fred

  • Geoff
    5 Aug 2013 4:15pm

    Know both boys their dad & mine knew one another. When they came to Sawtell their nick names were "Blossom & Precious ". Dragged Sawtell from the bottom of the ladder to the premiership in 2 years. Good blokes loyal passionate about their football & typically country.

  • Marto
    30 Oct 2013 2:28am

    Les has to be one of the most successful country rugby league coaches of all time

  • Roosters supporter
    19 Apr 2022 4:30pm

    When I was in year 9 at high school my teacher went to the picnic races he went to school with Noel cleal(who was going to be there) he said he would get me his autograph the following Monday he gave me a betting ticket stub with noelclealsautographonit. The team they had in the early 80s with the cleals etcetera Wanda they didn't win a premiership

  • Paul
    9 Sep 2023 10:45am

    Les coached my brother and I to a (jnr grade)premiership at Werris Creek in I think 1981. I always remember the gental giant of a man, a true inspiration. Thanks for your support of country football.

  • Margaret Demunck
    23 Jun 2024 4:08pm

    Les was an enigma in Tumbarumba bringing “ the Green Machine “ to 39 games undefeated
    My late husband & I were running the Tumbarumba Pub during Les’ reign. A fabulous time & lots of great memories

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Contributions: Shawn Dollin, Alan Katzmann, Rugby League Tables, Andrew Ferguson, Greg Fiveash, AJ Lucantonio, Paul Carter, Bill Bates, Tim Costello

Sources: Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook (1981-82 to 1999), Irvin Saxton's Record Keepers' Club