Player Profile

Graham Rees was born in Lewisham, London but moved to Wales as a boy. Initially a rugby union player with Maesteg, he turned professional with Salford in 1961 and also spent some time with Swinton. From Swinton, he went to St Helens in 1968 and made 181 appearances there, scoring 33 tries and winning a few honours. He scored a try in the 1968 Lancashire Cup Final when Saints demolished Oldham by 30-2 and also helped them to a Lancashire League win in the same season. Graham was on the bench during the 1970 Championship Final as Saints defeated Leeds by 24-12. He scored a try in the 1971 final when St Helens beat Wigan to retain the trophy. His last season in a Saints` jersey was the very successful 1971-72 campaign when in 44 appearances he helped the Saints complete a BBC TV Trophy and Challenge Cup double, scoring the Challenge Cup Final`s fastest ever try after just 35 seconds of the contest against Leeds. He returned to Salford as a player-coach and also coached Blackpool. On 1 August 1987, it was reported that he had died following a collapse shortly after playing squash at a club in Prestwich.