View source for Martin Offiah

{{short description|Great Britain and England international rugby league and union player and commentator}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name                = Martin Offiah<br>[[Order of the British Empire|MBE]]
|fullname            = Martin Nwokocha Offiah<ref>{{ESPNscrum|126814|Martin Offiah}}</ref>
|image               = Martin Offiah at Wicked 10th Birthday 2016.jpg
|imagesize           =  
|caption             = Offiah at ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'' 10th Birthday 2016
|birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1965|12|29|df=yes}}{{efn|name=DOB|Offiah's date of birth is often reported as 29 December 1966, but the correct year is 1965.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Martin Offiah |user=martinoffiah |number=681426212439355393 |title=I'm 50 tomorrow}}</ref>}}
|birth_place         = [[Hackney Central|Hackney]], [[London]], [[England]]
|height              = {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on}}
|weight              = {{convert|14|st|5|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|position            = {{Rlp|WG}}
|club1               = [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]]
|year1start          = 1987
|year1end            = 91
|appearances1        = 145
|tries1              = 181
|goals1              = 0
|fieldgoals1         = 0
|points1             = 724
|club2               = [[Sydney Roosters|Eastern Suburbs]]
|year2start          = 1989
|year2end            =
|appearances2        = 12
|tries2              = 9
|goals2              = 0
|fieldgoals2         = 0
|points2             = 36
|club3               = {{nowrap|[[St George Dragons]]}}
|year3start          = 1991
|year3end            =
|appearances3        = 14
|tries3              = 11
|goals3              = 0
|fieldgoals3         = 0
|points3             = 44
|club4               = [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]]
|year4start          = 1992
|year4end            = 95
|appearances4        = 159
|tries4              = 186
|goals4              = 1
|fieldgoals4         = 3
|points4             = 749
|club5               = [[Sydney Roosters|Eastern Suburbs]]
|year5start          = 1993
|year5end            =
|appearances5        = 1
|tries5              = 0
|goals5              = 0
|fieldgoals5         = 0
|points5             = 0
|club6               = [[London Broncos#1994–2005: Broncos and Super League|London Broncos]]
|year6start          = 1996
|year6end            = 99
|appearances6        = 48
|tries6              = 36
|goals6              = 0
|fieldgoals6         = 0
|points6             = 144
|club7               = [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]
|year7start          = 2000
|year7end            = 01
|appearances7        = 45
|tries7              = 23
|goals7              = 0
|fieldgoals7         = 2
|points7             = 94
|teamA               = [[England national rugby league team|England]]
|yearAstart          = 1992
|yearAend            = 96
|appearancesA        = 5
|triesA              = 8
|goalsA              = 0
|fieldgoalsA         = 1
|pointsA             = 33
|teamB               = [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]]
|yearBstart          = 1988
|yearBend            = 94
|appearancesB        = 33
|triesB              = 26
|goalsB              = 0
|fieldgoalsB         = 0
|pointsB             = 104
|first               = RL
|ru_position         =
|ru_club1            = [[Bedford Blues]]
|ru_year1start       = 1996
|ru_year1end         = 97
|ru_appearances1     = 14
|ru_tries1           = 8
|ru_goals1           = 0
|ru_fieldgoals1      = 0
|ru_points1          = 40
|ru_club2            = [[Wasps RFC|London Wasps]]
|ru_year2start       = 2001 
|ru_year2end         = 02
|ru_appearances2     = 8
|ru_tries2           = 5
|ru_goals2           = 0
|ru_fieldgoals2      = 0
|ru_points2          = 25
|ru_coachteam1       =
|ru_coachyear1start  =
|ru_coachyear1end    =
|ru_coachgames1      =
|ru_coachwins1       =
|ru_coachdraws1      =
|ru_coachlosses1     =
|retired             = yes
|source              = <ref name="Statistics at yesterdayshero.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Martin-Offiah_6301.aspx|title=Statistics at yesterdayshero.com.au|publisher=yesterdayshero.com.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131082809/http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Martin-Offiah_6301.aspx|archive-date=31 January 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Statistics at rugby.statbunker.com">{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/players/getPlayerStats?player_id=5869|title=Statistics at rugby.statbunker.com|publisher=rugby.statbunker.com|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/martin-offiah/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="RLRKC">{{Rugby league records |id=6024 |title=Martin Offiah |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref>
|updated             = 7 March 2021
}}
[[File:Martin Offiah.jpg|200px|thumb|Martin Offiah in 2016]]
'''Martin Nwokocha Offiah''' [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|f|i|ə}} {{Respell|ə|FEE|ə}} (''original pronunciation''), {{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|f|aɪ|ə}} {{Respell|ə|FYE|ə}} (''commonly used'')); born 29 December 1965){{efn|name=DOB}} is an [[England|English]] former professional [[rugby league]] and [[rugby union]] footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |title=An Audience with Martin Offiah – The Old Courts |url=https://www.theoldcourts.com/shows/an-audience-with-martin-offiah/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=theoldcourts.com}}</ref> Offiah was inducted into the [[Rugby Football League Hall of Fame|Rugby League Hall of Fame]] in 2013. He scored over 500 tries during his rugby league career, making him the third-highest try scorer (and top try-scoring English player) of all time,<ref>{{cite web |last=Heppenstall |first=Ross |date=2021-10-29 |title=Martin Offiah remembers sickening racial abuse endured during his career |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/martin-offiah-racial-abuse-rugby-22005241 |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=YorkshireLive}}</ref> and now features in a statue of great rugby league players outside Wembley Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Andy|title=Offiah bows out with grace|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2001/sep/15/rugbyleague.andywilson|work=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=21 December 2013|date=15 September 2001}}</ref>

He was a Great Britain and England national representative [[Rugby league positions|winger]], and due to his running speed he was nicknamed "Chariots" Offiah after the film ''[[Chariots of Fire]]'' while playing amateur rugby union at [[Rosslyn Park F.C.|Rosslyn Park]].<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news |title=Why is Swing Low, Sweet Chariot the England rugby song? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-51646140 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=19 June 2020}}</ref> Offiah played for English rugby league clubs [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]], [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]], [[London Broncos#1994–2005: Broncos and Super League|London Broncos]] and [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]], and in Australia for Sydney's [[Sydney Roosters|Eastern Suburbs]] and [[St. George Dragons|St. George]] clubs.

It is believed that the England rugby anthem "[[Swing Low, Sweet Chariot]]" was first sung at [[Twickenham]] while Offiah was playing in the [[Middlesex Sevens]] in 1987.<ref name="BBC News"/>

Since retiring Offiah has appeared on several reality TV shows.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/offiah-seals-deal-for-recordbreaking-teen-1783432.html| work=The Independent| location=London| title=Offiah seals deal for record-breaking teen| first=Dave| last=Hadfield| date=8 September 2009| access-date=12 May 2010}}</ref> In May 2023, he was appointed official Ambassador of Wigan Warriors.

==Background==
Offiah was born in Hackney, London, England<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Martin Offiah |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1567280/bio |access-date=1 March 2022 |publisher=IMDb}}</ref> to Nigerian parents of [[Igbo people|Igbo]] origin, and attended [[Woolverstone Hall School]] near Ipswich, Suffolk, where he represented the school at fencing and played rugby union and cricket. He played cricket for the Essex 2nd XI but soon realised his main talent was for rugby union.

He first played club-level [[rugby union]] for [[Ipswich RFC]] and [[Rosslyn Park F.C.|Rosslyn Park]]. After starring on the [[rugby sevens]] circuit and for the [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarian]]s, there was talk of an England future for Offiah.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gareth Thomas completes switch from union to Wales rugby league side Crusaders |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/7376424/Gareth-Thomas-completes-switch-from-union-to-Wales-rugby-league-side-Crusaders.html |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=5 March 2010 |access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref>

==Professional playing career==

===1987–91: Widnes===
'''Inc. 1989 summer stint at Eastern Suburbs & 1991 summer stint at St. George Dragons'''

Offiah was spotted by Widnes coach [[Doug Laughton]] playing in the [[Middlesex Sevens]], and was signed by the club to play rugby league for the [[1987–88 Rugby Football League season|1987–88 season]]. [[Alex Murphy (rugby league)|Alex Murphy]] had been interested in acquiring Offiah from rugby union, but the board of directors at St. Helens infamously referred to Offiah as an "uncoordinated clown" and the interest was not followed up with action. Within months, he became the most talked-about winger since [[Billy Boston]] for his lightning speed and try-scoring; at Widnes he forged a reputation as a devastating winger, helping the team win both the [[Rugby Football League Championship|Championship]] and [[Rugby League Premiership|Premiership]]. He ended his début season with 42 tries,<ref name="quithint">{{cite news|title=Overjoyed Offiah drops quit hint|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/1417203.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=6 August 2014|date=1 July 2001}}</ref> making him the league's top try scorer, also breaking the club record held by [[Frank Myler]] for most tries scored in a season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Offiah MBE|url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/history_and_heritage/rugby_league_hall_of_fame/martin_offiah|publisher=The Rugby Football League|access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref> He received the [[Man of Steel Award|Man of Steel award]] for his efforts.

He was also rewarded with a place in the [[1988 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia]], where he played in all three Tests of the [[Ashes series (rugby league)|Ashes series]] which was lost to Australia. While on tour with the Lions, Offiah took part in a 100-metre match race at [[Wentworth Park]] in [[Sydney]] against Australian flyers [[Dale Shearer]] and [[John Ferguson (rugby league)|John Ferguson]] (Ferguson replaced [[Greg Alexander]] who was forced to withdraw through injury). Confirming his standing as the fastest player in rugby league, Offiah easily won the race from Shearer and Ferguson.

In the [[1988–89 Rugby Football League season|1988–89 season]], Widnes won the Championship and Premiership for the second successive year, and Offiah was once again the league's top try scorer with 58 tries in 41 games.<ref name="quithint" /> He played in Widnes' 6–12 defeat by Wigan in the [[1988–89 League Cup (rugby league)|1988–89 John Player Special Trophy]] final [[Burnden Park]] in [[Bolton]].<ref name="7th January 1989: Wigan 12 Widnes 6 (John Player Trophy Final)">{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2756|title=7th January 1989: Wigan 12 Widnes 6 (John Player Trophy Final)|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082424/http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2756|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He then spent the summer in Australia playing for [[Sydney Roosters|Eastern Suburbs]]. He scored a try on his [[NSWRL]] début against [[Western Suburbs Magpies|Western Suburbs]], and went on to score nine tries in 12 games for the club before returning to Widnes a feat only surpassed by Steven Nolan.

During the [[1989–90 Rugby Football League season|1989–90 season]], Offiah played for Widnes on the wing in their [[1989 World Club Challenge]] victory against the visiting [[Canberra Raiders]]. Offiah scored a try in Widnes' 24–18 victory over [[Salford Red Devils|Salford]] in the [[1990 Lancashire Cup]] final.

In 1991, Offiah had a second spell in Australia, this time playing for [[St George Dragons]]. He scored 11 tries in 14 games, including a hat trick against his former club, Eastern Suburbs.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rowlands|first1=David|title='Chariots' Offiah Sinks Easts with a Hat-trick|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?sy=smh&docID=news910623_0113_9340|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 June 1991|page=45}}</ref>

Over four seasons at Widnes Offiah scored a total of 181 tries in 145 games.

===1992–95: Wigan===
'''Inc. 1993 summer stint at Eastern Suburbs'''

Offiah joined [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] in January 1992 for a world record fee of £440,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.widnes.tv/playerbiog.php?mid=611|title=Widnes Player Biog|publisher=Rugby.widnes.tv|access-date=2014-07-29}}</ref> (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £900,300 in 2013).<ref name="Measuring Worth – Relative Value of UK Pounds">{{cite web|url=http://www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare|title=Measuring Worth – Relative Value of UK Pounds|publisher=Measuring Worth|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> This figure remained a record for a total cash transfer until Wigan beat their own record, paying £450,000 for [[Stuart Fielden]] from the [[Bradford Bulls]] in 2006.

Playing in his regular left wing position, Offiah formed a devastating partnership with [[Gene Miles]] in his first season at Wigan scoring 30 tries in just 15 games including setting a new club record of ten in a single match against Leeds in the Premiership semi-final in May.<ref>[http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=75 "RECORDS"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128221032/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=75 |date=28 November 2010}} at ''wiganwarriors.com''</ref>

Offiah played in Wigan's 5–4 victory over St Helens in the [[1992 Lancashire Cup]] Final at [[Knowsley Road]].<ref name="1988-1989 Lancashire Cup Final">{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2745|title=1988–1989 Lancashire Cup Final|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713170348/http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2745|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He played in a 15–8 victory over [[Bradford Bulls|Bradford Northern]] in the [[1992–93 League Cup (rugby league)|1992–93 Regal Trophy]] Final at [[Elland Road]],<ref name="23rd January 1993: Bradford 8 Wigan 15 (Regal Trophy Final)">{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=3004|title=23rd January 1993: Bradford 8 Wigan 15 (Regal Trophy Final)|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619140552/http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=3004|archive-date=19 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> played in the 2–33 defeat by [[Castleford Tigers|Castleford]] in the [[1993–94 League Cup (rugby league)|1993–94]] Regal Trophy Final at [[Headingley Stadium|Headingley]],  and scored a [[Try (rugby)|try]] in the 40–10 victory over Warrington in the [[1994–95 League Cup (rugby league)|1994–95]] Regal Trophy Final at [[John Smith's Stadium|Alfred McAlpine Stadium]],<ref name="28th January 1995: Warrington 10 Wigan 40 (Regal Trophy Final)">{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2931|title=28th January 1995: Warrington 10 Wigan 40 (Regal Trophy Final)|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151036/http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2931|url-status=dead}}</ref> and played in the 25–16 victory over St Helens in the [[1995–96 League Cup (rugby league)|1995–96]] Regal Trophy Final.<ref name="13th January 1996: St Helens 16 Wigan 25 (Regal Trophy Final)">{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2976|title=13th January 1996: St Helens 16 Wigan 25 (Regal Trophy Final)|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007005311/http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2976|archive-date=7 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He was selected to go on the [[1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand]]. Before the match against the [[Parramatta Eels]], Offiah had a 100-metre race against Eels winger [[Lee Oudenryn]]. Offiah appeared to slip slightly at the start and Oudenryn won by half a yard.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

During the [[1992–93 Rugby Football League season|1992–93 season]] Offiah played on the wing for defending RFL champions Wigan in the [[1992 World Club Challenge]] against the visiting [[Brisbane Broncos]]. A week before the WCC, Offiah had played on the wing for Great Britain in the [[1992 Rugby League World Cup final|World Cup final]] against Australia at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] in front of an international rugby league record crowd of 73,631 fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-cup-1989/final/great-britain-vs-australia.html|title=Great Britain vs. Australia – Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson}}</ref>

Offiah played in four [[Challenge Cup]] wins, five [[Rugby Football League Championship|Championship]] teams, three [[League Cup (rugby league)|Regal Trophy]] wins and one [[RFL Lancashire Cup|Lancashire Cup]] victory. He was twice [[player of the match|man of the match]] winning the [[Lance Todd Trophy]] at Wembley. His 90-metre solo try in the 1994 Challenge Cup Final win over Leeds is remembered as one of the finest ever seen in a final,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBtoUy5cHYU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/mBtoUy5cHYU |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=Martin Offiah Wembley 1994|last=Wigan Rugby League Old Matches|date=3 May 2010|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> but he made a habit of such runs during his career, scoring a similar try just weeks before against Castleford. After the [[1993–94 Rugby Football League season|1993–94 season]] Offiah travelled with defending champions [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] to Brisbane, playing on the wing in their [[1994 World Club Challenge]] victory over Australian premiers, the [[Brisbane Broncos]].

In 1995, Offiah's life story, a 30-minute documentary, was produced and directed by [[Pogus Caesar]] for [[Carlton Television|Carlton TV]] UK as part of the ''[[Respect (TV series)|Respect]]'' series. Offiah was selected to play for [[England national rugby league team|England]] in the [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995 World Cup]] Final on the wing, but [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] won the match and retained the Cup.

Offiah jointly holds the record for the most [[Try (rugby)|tries]] scored in a match for the [[England national rugby league team]].

Offiah made a total of 158 appearances for Wigan with another single appearance as a substitute. He scored more than a try a game, crossing the line 186 times. He also managed a goal and three drop goals, thus scoring a grand total of 749 points for the club. Upon leaving he sent an open letter to the ''[[Wigan Observer]]'' thanking fans and the club for his time there.

===1996–99: London Broncos===
'''Inc. 1996–97 winter stint at Bedford Blues'''

Following Offiah's departure from Wigan, he return to the capital and signed for [[London Broncos]].

Following the switch to summer rugby in 1996, Offiah signed for [[Bedford Blues]] during the Super League off-season He played 14 games for the club, scoring 10 tries, before returning to the Broncos for the 1997 season.<ref name="Statistics at rugby.statbunker.com"/>

He was awarded an [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] in the [[New Year Honours 1997|1997 New Year Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=54625 |date=30 December 1996 |page=21}}</ref>

He played for London in their [[1999 Challenge Cup]] Final defeat against Leeds. In total, he scored 24 tries in 48 games for the club.

===2000–01: Salford Red Devils===

After the London Broncos he moved to [[Salford City Reds]] for the 2000 [[Super League V]], staying for two seasons, playing 45 games and scoring 23 tries. He scored his 500th career try in July 2001 in a 37–14 win against his former club London Broncos.<ref>{{cite web |title=Overjoyed Offiah drops quit hint |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/1417203.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=21 March 2023 |date=1 July 2001}}</ref>

===2001–02: Wasps===

He finished his career in 2001–02 playing [[rugby union]] for [[Wasps RFC|London Wasps]], who were coached by his former Wigan team-mate [[Shaun Edwards]]. He played in eight games for the club, scoring five tries.<ref name="Statistics at rugby.statbunker.com"/>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearance and scoring statistics by club and season
|-
!Club
!Season
!League
!Apps
!Tries
!Goals
!{{abbr|DGs|Drop goals}}
!Points
|-
|rowspan=5|[[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]]
|[[1987–88 Rugby Football League season|1987–88]]<ref name=Rothmans8889>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1988-89 |date=1988 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |isbn=978-0-356-15882-2}}</ref>
|rowspan=4|[[Rugby Football League Championship First Division|First Division]]
| 35 || 42 || 0 || 0 || 168
|-
|[[1988–89 Rugby Football League season|1988–89]]<ref name=Rothmans8990>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League yearbook 1989-90 |date=1989 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |isbn=978-0-356-17850-9}}</ref>
| 41 || 58 || 0 || 0 || 232
|-
|[[1989–90 Rugby Football League season|1989–90]]<ref name=Rothmans9091>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1990-91 |date=1990 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |isbn=978-0-356-17851-6}}</ref>
| 32 || 40 || 0 || 0 || 160
|-
|[[1990–91 Rugby Football League season|1990–91]]<ref name=Rothmans9192>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1991-92 |date=1991 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |isbn=978-0-356-17852-3}}</ref>
| 37 || 41 || 0 || 0 || 164
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
! 145 || 181 || 0 || 0 || 724
|-
|[[Sydney Roosters|Eastern Suburbs]]
|[[1989 NSWRL season|1989]]<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org" />
|[[New South Wales Rugby League|NSWRL]]
| 12 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 36
|-
|[[St George Dragons|St George]]
|[[1991 NSWRL season|1991]]<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org" />
|[[New South Wales Rugby League|NSWRL]]
| 14 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 44
|-
|rowspan=7|[[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]]
|[[1991–92 Rugby Football League season|1991–92]]<ref name=Rothmans9293>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1992-93 |date=1992 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7472-7906-8}}</ref>
|rowspan=5|[[Rugby Football League Championship First Division|First Division]]
| 16 || 30 || 0 || 0 || 120 
|-
|[[1992–93 Rugby Football League season|1992–93]]<ref name=Rothmans9394>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1993-94 |date=1993 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7472-7890-0}}</ref>
| 38 || 30 || 1 || 2 || 124 
|-
|[[1993–94 Rugby Football League season|1993–94]]<ref name=Rothmans9495>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1994-95 |date=1994 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7472-7851-1}}</ref>
| 34 || 35 || 0 || 1 || 141
|-
|[[1994–95 Rugby Football League season|1994–95]]<ref name=Rothmans9596>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1995-96 |date=1995 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7472-7817-7}}</ref>
| 38 || 53 || 0 || 0 || 212 
|-
|[[1995–96 Rugby Football League season|1995–96]]<ref name=Rothmans9697>{{cite book |editor-last1=Fletcher |editor-first1=Raymond |editor-last2=Howes |editor-first2=David |title=Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1996 |date=1996 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7472-7767-5}}</ref>
| 23 || 26 || 0 || 0 || 104 
|-
|[[Super League I|1996]]<ref name="RLRKC" />
|[[Super League]]
| 10 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 48 
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
! 159 || 186 || 1 || 3 || 749
|-
|[[Sydney Roosters|Eastern Suburbs]]
|[[1993 NSWRL season|1993]]<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org" />
|[[New South Wales Rugby League|NSWRL]]
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
|rowspan=5|[[London Broncos]]
|[[Super League I|1996]]<ref name="RLRKC" />
|rowspan=4|[[Super League]]
| 4 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 12
|-
|[[Super League II|1997]]<ref name="RLRKC" />
| 16 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 52
|-
|[[Super League III|1998]]<ref name="RLRKC" />
| 11 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 28 
|-
|[[Super League IV|1999]]<ref name="RLRKC" />
| 17 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 52
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
! 48 || 36 || 0 || 0 || 144
|-
|rowspan=3|Salford Red Devils

|[[Super League V|2000]]<ref name="RLRKC" />
|rowspan=2|[[Super League]]
| 25 || 16 || 0 || 2 || 66
|-
|[[Super League VI|2001]]<ref name="RLRKC" />
| 20 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 28
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
! 45 || 23 || 0 || 2 || 94
|-
!colspan="3"|Career Total
! 424 || 446 || 1 || 5 || 1,791
|}

===Overall===
Offiah scored 501 tries during his rugby league career. His try total in British rugby league (481) puts him third in the list of all-time try scorers (behind [[Brian Bevan]] and [[Billy Boston]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=Offiah to retire from league |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2001/sep/13/rugbyunion.rugbyleague |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 June 2024 |date=13 September 2001}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Team
!Appearances
!Tries
!Goals
!Drop goals
!Points
|-
|Club total
| 424 || 446 || 1 || 5 || 1,791
|-
|England
|5||8||0||1||33
|-
|Great Britain
|33||26||0||0||104
|-
|Great Britain (non-Test)<ref name="RLRKC" />
|12||20||0||0||80
|-
|Lancashire
|1||0||0||0||0
|-
|Rugby League Chairman's XIII<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Hara |first1=Peter |title=Auck. loses bruising league finale |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19871112.2.138.2 |work=[[The Press]] |date=12 November 1987 |location=Christchurch |page=26}}</ref>
|1||1||0||0||4
|-
!Career total
!476!!501!!1!!6!!2,012
|}

==Honours==
===Club===
'''Widnes'''
*'''[[Rugby Football League Championship First Division]]'''
**[[List of British rugby league champions|Champion]]: [[1987–88 Rugby Football League season|1987–88]], [[1988–89 Rugby Football League season|1988–89]]
*'''[[Rugby League Premiership]]'''
**[[Rugby League Premiership#Premiership winners|Champion]]: [[1987–88 Rugby League Premiership|1987–88]], [[1988–89 Rugby League Premiership|1988–89]], [[1989–90 Rugby League Premiership|1989–90]]
*'''[[Rugby league county cups#Lancashire Cup|Lancashire Cup]]'''
**[[Rugby league county cups#Lancashire Cup|Champion]]: [[1990–91 Lancashire Cup|1990–91]]
*'''[[World Club Challenge]]'''
**[[World Club Challenge#Results|Champion]]: [[1989 World Club Challenge|1989]]

'''Wigan'''
*'''[[Rugby Football League Championship First Division]]'''
**[[List of British rugby league champions|Champion]]: [[1992–93 Rugby Football League season|1992–93]], [[1993–94 Rugby Football League season|1993–94]], [[1994–95 Rugby Football League season|1994–95]]
*'''[[Rugby League Premiership]]'''
**[[Rugby League Premiership#Premiership winners|Champion]]: [[1993–94 Rugby League Premiership|1993–94]], [[1994–95 Rugby League Premiership|1994–95]]
*'''[[Challenge Cup]]'''
**[[List of Challenge Cup finals|Champion]]: [[1992–93 Challenge Cup|1992–93]], [[1993–94 Challenge Cup|1993–94]], [[1994–95 Challenge Cup|1994–95]]
*'''[[Rugby league county cups#Lancashire Cup|Lancashire Cup]]'''
**[[Rugby league county cups#Lancashire Cup|Champion]]: [[1992–93 Lancashire Cup|1992–93]]
*'''[[League Cup (rugby league)|League Cup]]'''
**[[League Cup (rugby league)#List of finals|Champion]]: [[1992–93 Rugby Football League season|1992–93]], [[1994–95 Rugby Football League season|1994–95]]
*'''[[World Club Challenge]]'''
**[[World Club Challenge#Results|Champion]]: [[1994 World Club Challenge|1994]]

===International===
'''England'''
*'''[[Rugby League World Cup]]'''
**[[Rugby League World Cup#Results|Runners-up]]: [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995]]

===Individual===
*'''[[Man of Steel Awards|Man of Steel]]''': 1988
*'''[[Lance Todd Trophy]]''': 1992, 1994
*'''[[Rugby Football League Hall of Fame]]''': Inducted 2013
*'''[[Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame]]''': Inducted 2016

===Orders===
*'''[[Order of the British Empire|MBE]]''': [[New Year Honours 1997|1997 New Year Honours]]

==Post-playing career==
In 2004, Offiah was one of the celebrities who took part in the first series of the [[BBC One]] show ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', reaching fourth place with his partner [[Erin Boag]]. In 2005, alongside [[Natasha Kaplinsky]], he hosted the one-off special, ''Strictly African Dancing''.

In 2006, he appeared on a Reality TV special of ''[[The Weakest Link (British game show)|The Weakest Link]]'', winning £10,050 and splitting the winnings with [[Danniella Westbrook]]. Offiah won Celebrity Come Dine With Me in 2011 which was a Rugby World Cup special. Offiah beat Victor Ubogo, Kyran Bracken and Gareth Chilcott. Offiah has also appeared on BBC quiz show ''[[Pointless]]'', firstly with [[Chris Kamara]] in 2012, where they were eliminated in the first round, the second time in 2013 with [[cricket]]er [[Phil Tufnell|Philip Tufnell]] where they won the cash prize by getting a Pointless answer in the final round. Offiah donated his £1,250 prize to the Joining Jack Charity. In 2014, he was a contestant on ''[[Splash! (British TV series)|Splash!]]'', and was the fourth to be eliminated from the competition. In 2015, he appeared with his son Tyler on ''[[Big Star's Little Star]]'' where they won £11,000 for charity. Also in 2015, Offiah took part on ''[[All Star Mr & Mrs]]'' with his partner Virginia.

Offiah worked as a pundit for [[Sky Sports]] rugby from 2008 until 2013. He was a regular studio guest during the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup]], and presented a weekly [[Super League]] round up on [[Sky Sports News]]. He has worked as an agent for several rugby players including [[Richie Myler]] and [[Kyle Eastmond]]. Offiah has also appeared several times on the TV show ''[[A Question of Sport]]''. In January 2018, Offiah participated in [[And They're Off!]] in aid of [[Sport Relief]].

Offiah is part of the Rugby League Monument that sits outside Wembley Stadium, his bronze likeness depicting his try celebration from the 1994 Challenge Cup final.

Since 2019, Offiah has been a brand ambassador for the electric vehicle charging infrastructure company Connected Kerb.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rugby player Martin Offiah joins Connected Kerb {{!}} Connected Kerb|url=https://www.connectedkerb.com/stories/martin_offiah_joins_connected_kerb|access-date=1 January 2022|website=connectedkerb.com}}</ref> His passion for electric vehicles began when he received a lift from former England rugby union player and World Cup winner [[Andy Gomarsall|Andy Gomersal]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Mark|date=16 June 2021|title=Widnes Rugby icon Martin Offiah launches new green vehicle scheme|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/widnes-rugby-legend-strictly-come-20828673|access-date=1 January 2022|website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> In December 2021, he facilitated a partnership between Connected Kerb and one of his former clubs [[London Broncos]] in which the [[Plough Lane]] outfit would wear the EV company's logo on their kit throughout 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=Media|first=Broncos|date=16 December 2021|title=Connected Kerb get behind Broncos for 2022 with familiar face involved in partnership.|url=https://londonbroncosrl.com/2021/12/16/connected-kerb-get-behind-broncos-for-2022-with-familiar-face-involved-in-partnership/|access-date=1 January 2022|website=London Broncos RL}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Offiah has two sons, [[Tyler Offiah|Tyler]] (born 29 June 2006) and Phoenix (born 24 September 2009) with his wife, model and photographer Virginia Offiah and lives in [[Ealing]], [[West London]].<ref>{{cite web |last=McGreevy |first=Hannah |date=12 February 2022 |title='Your history is your history' Rugby legend Martin Offiah weighs in on royal family debate |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1563919/martin-offiah-royal-family-news-debate-rugby-latest-update |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=Express.co.uk}}</ref> He is the uncle of professional footballer [[Odel Offiah]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1113968/Brighton-transfer-news-Odell-Offiah-Chris-Hughton-Bournemouth |title=Brighton transfer EXCLUSIVE: Seagulls seal deal for rising star Odell Offiah|publisher=Express |date=14 April 2019|access-date=25 August 2021}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Books===
* {{cite book|last=Lawrenson|first=David|title=Offiah : A Blaze of Glory|date=1993|publisher=University of Queensland Press|location=St Lucia, Queensland, Australia|isbn=978-0-7022-2541-3}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=1567280|name=Martin Offiah}}
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091214062856/http://www.martinoffiah.co.uk/ Martin Offiah Official Website]
*[http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=764 Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com]
*[http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/martin_offiah.html Martin Offiah – featured on 100 Great Black Britons]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20080512011206/http://www.wasps.co.uk/PlayerDisplaySS.ink?skip=25&squadno=1289&season=01%2F02&seasonl=2001%2F2002&Playertype=P Wasps profile]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20100114184857/http://totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=276&featcat_id=32 Crooks in trouble]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20100114184847/http://totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=270&featcat_id=32 When Britain defeated the Aussies]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{succession box
|before= [[Ellery Hanley]]
|title= [[Rugby league transfer record|Rugby League Transfer Record]]<br>[[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]] to [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]]
|years = 1992–1995
|after= [[Paul Newlove]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Widnes RLFC - 1989 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Wigan Warriors squads
| bg=red
| fg=white
| bordercolor=red
|list1=
{{Wigan RLFC - 1992 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Wigan RLFC - 1993 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Wigan RLFC - 1994 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Wigan RLFC - 1995 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Wigan - 1994 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame inductees}}
}}
{{Great Britain squad - 1988 Tourists}}
{{Great Britain squad – 1990 Tour}}
{{Great Britain squad – 1992 Tour}}
{{England 1995 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Man of Steel Award}}
{{Lance Todd Trophy winners}}
{{British Rugby League Hall of Fame}}
{{London Broncos}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Offiah, Martin}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of Liverpool John Moores University]]
[[Category:Bedford Blues players]]
[[Category:Black British sportsmen]]
[[Category:England national rugby league team players]]
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[[Category:English rugby league players]]
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[[Category:Lancashire rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Lance Todd Trophy winners]]
[[Category:London Broncos players]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People from Hackney Central]]
[[Category:Rosslyn Park F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Greater London]]
[[Category:Rugby league wingers]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from the London Borough of Hackney]]
[[Category:Salford Red Devils players]]
[[Category:St. George Dragons players]]
[[Category:Sydney Roosters players]]
[[Category:Wasps RFC players]]
[[Category:Widnes Vikings players]]
[[Category:Wigan Warriors players]]
[[Category:20th-century English sportsmen]]