Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
229	228	1	115	0	0	345

As Cyril Woolford, Rovers' ace winger, was moving towards retirement at the end of 1960/61, there was naturally concern as to how that gap could be filled. By coincidence, at the same time, a young winger who had been rejected by Wakefield was having trials in the 'A' team and made sufficient impression to be signed. He made his senior debut in the opening fixture of the next season on 19 August 1961 away at Batley, but he was injured and missed the next six matches. He resumed at Keighley on 23 September, when he scored his first try and by the end of the year he had scored 16 tries in 12 games. Furthermore, at the end of the season and having played in 37 of the last 38 games, he had scored 30 tries and incredibly in his first season, had failed by one to equal the try-scoring record of the legend he had succeeded!

Their styles were different. Jordan was more subtle, almost gliding through the opposition as he utilised his undoubted pace. The try he scored against Warrington (at home) on 2 December 196l was a typical example as he weaved his way at speed along the touchline from half-way to end up scoring under the posts. He continued to impress and by the end of season 1964/65, had scored 89 tries in 141 appearances. He almost played for Yorkshire in September 1962, but unfortunately pulled a leg muscle in the pre-match training session. He had more luck when playing for Great Britain against France in March 1964 when he scored a try in the 39-0 victory.  His creative and classy skills were, however, best suited to centre, and despite such success on the wing, and he moved into that position in season 1965/66. Half-way through the season, he gave up the game and began playing soccer with Ossett Town.  He was persuaded to return a year later, in January 1967, and was immediately involved in the RL Cup run and saved the day in the third round encounter at home to Castleford on 18 March. Three minutes from the end of a pulsating encounter, Rovers were leading 8-4 when Hardisty, the Castleford number 6, scooped up an awkward bouncing ball on the half-way line to streak away towards an undefended try line with a try looking inevitable. Jordan had the good sense to pursue and force him to score wide out. The attempted conversion was thus more difficult, failed, and Rovers had won 8-7. This aptly illustrated Jordan's anticipation and reading of a game and Wembley 1967 was the reward.

He played for Great Britain v Australia at Swinton in December 1967, had a cartilage operation in 1968 and was eventually transferred to Castleford in January 1970. His last game was at home to Huddersfield on 19 October 1969 and his 115 tries place high up in the Rovers all-time try-scoring list.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey