- Date of Birth26 / 02 / 1958
- Lions Tours1989
- International CapsEngland / Lions
- Lions Origin SchoolsPlymouth College
- Lions Origin ClubsMetropolitan Police, Rosslyn Park, Harlequins, Barbarians, Plymouth Albion, Cambridge University RFC
Paul Ackford did not make his England debut until 1988 – until he was the ripe old age of 30 – but it was to prove a golden few years for the former Metropolitan Police inspector.
The second-row’s partner-in-crime for the Red Rose was police constable Wade Dooley and the pair were both called up for the Lions Tour to Australia the following year.
Ackford’s meteoric rise was complete when he was named in the starting line-up to face the Wallabies – proving immovable for the rest of the Test series.
After the opening loss, Dooley joined Ackford in the second-row for the last two Tests and their fine displays in the engine room helped the Lions turn the tide around.
After his short but exceedingly sweet Test career came to an end in 1991, Ackford went on to become a journalist.