Atkinson scored a try in the 36–9 victory over Dewsbury in the 1972 Yorkshire Cup Final at Odsal Stadium on 7 October 1972, and scored two tries in Leeds' 12–7 victory over Salford in the 1972–73 Player's No.6 Trophy Final at Fartown, Huddersfield on 24 March 1973. In the 1973–74 season, Atkinson played in the 7–2 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1973 Yorkshire Cup Final at Headingley on 20 October 1973. In the 1975–76 season, Atkinson played in the 15–11 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1975 Yorkshire Cup Final at Headingley on 15 November 1975. Atkinson's testimonial match at Leeds also took place in 1976. In March 1976, Atkinson suffered a broken leg in a league match against Wigan. During his recovery, he fractured his wrist when slipping on his crutches. The injuries kept him out of action for nine months. At the end of the 1976–77 season, he played and scored a try in the 16–7 victory over Widnes in the 1977 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on 7 May 1977. In October 1977, Atkinson announced his retirement from rugby league due to work commitments, but admitted his decision had also been influenced by his performance in a recent League Cup defeat against Wigan, in which he was beaten by his opposing winger Green Vigo several times throughout the match. He resumed playing for Leeds three months later. At the end of the 1977–78 season, Atkinson played and scored a try in the 14–12 victory over St Helens in the 1978 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on 13 May 1978. In the 1979–80 season, Atkinson played in the 15–6 victory over Halifax in the 1979 Yorkshire Cup Final at Headingley on 27 October 1979. In the 1980–81 season, Atkinson played in the 8–7 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1980 Yorkshire Cup Final at Fartown on 8 November 1980. Atkinson left Leeds to join Carlisle in 1982. He scored 340 tries for Leeds, the second highest career total in the club's history. Representative career Atkinson was capped 26 times for Great Britain between 1968 and 1980. He was selected for three World Cups for Great Britain (1968, 1970 and 1972), and was part of the World Cup-winning team that played against Australia in the 1972 Rugby League World Cup Final. He was also selected for the 1970 and 1974 Lions tours. He was also offered