John Burke (born 2 September 1957[1]) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, selected at representative level for Great Britain (non-Test matches), and at club level for Wigan and Workington Town, as a fullback or centre.
[citation needed] John Burke appeared as a substitute (replacing centre Steve Davies[3]), and scored a goal in Wigan's 13-16 defeat by Workington Town in the 1977 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1977–78 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Saturday 29 October 1977.
John is the only player to receive a winners and runners up medal for a cup final 1978/1979 Lancs cup final Workington v Widnes John Burke was transferred from Wigan to Workington Town during February 1978, he broke his back, in an accidental ‘crusher tackle’ that caused a double dislocation of vertebrae five and six, while playing for Workington Town against Leeds on Sunday 3 September 1978.
The injury left him tetraplegic and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
He had previously been selected for Great Britain, and in 1981 he was presented with his cap by Rugby Football League officials; Thomas Mitchell (Workington Town), and Bill Oxley (Barrow).