Playing Career
Vital Statistics
- Born
- Tuesday, 24th July, 1956
- Current Age
- 69 years and 248 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
All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.
To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
| Tour Matches | North Coast | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | List | |||
| Tour Matches | Northern Division | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | List | |||
| Tour Matches | Riverina | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | |||
| Club Career - Australia | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSWRFL Premiership (NRL) | - | 14 | 4 | - | - | 12 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 85.71% | List | ||||
| NSWRFL Finals | - | 3 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67% | List | ||||
| Midweek Cup | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| Club Career - UK | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| English Championship | - | 7 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 42.86% | List | ||||
| Regal Trophy | - | 4 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | List | ||||
| UK Top Division | - | 7 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 42.86% | List | ||||
| Overall | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | |||||
| First Class | 29 | 7 | - | - | 23 | 21 | 11 | 0 | 72.41% | List | |||||
Australia - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| North Coast | 1978 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| Northern Division | 1979 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| Riverina | 1986 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| Overall | 1978-1986 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.33% | List | ||||
NSWRFL Premiership (NRL) - By Year | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Season | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Eastern Suburbs | NSWRFL 1982 | 14 | 4 | - | - | 12 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 85.71% | List | ||||
NSWRFL Premiership (NRL) - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Eastern Suburbs | 1982 | 14 | 4 | - | - | 12 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 85.71% | List | ||||
English Career - By Year | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Season | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Widnes | 1986/87 | 11 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 81.82% | List | ||||
English Career - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Widnes | 1986 | 11 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 54.55% | List | ||||
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
Your Say
14/05/2012
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
05/08/2013
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.
30/10/2013
Les has to be one of the most successful country rugby league coaches of all time
19/04/2022
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
09/09/2023
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.
23/06/2024
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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