15 of the best quotes from the 'Voice of Rugby' Bill McLaren Rugby greats pay tribute to Bill McLaren, who died yesterday 329 pages, Hardcover First published October 1, 2004 Book details & editions Loading interface. William Pollock McLaren, teacher and rugby commentator, born 16 October 1923; died 19 January 2010, BBC sports commentator and 'the voice of rugby union' for nearly 50 years, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. No matter what it was you couldnt wait to hear what he had to say whenever he said that! And I dont think you ever will replace a fellow like that because he was just unique in the way he spoke and commentated on games.. John Beattie | 16:53 UK time, Tuesday, 19 January 2010. The twins and two more brothers did all play together for their club. His nickname was Car Crash for his effect on the opposition ball carrier! Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Murray, who is a volunteer with the BMF, said: "Bill was enormously thorough in his preparations with his commentaries and for his writing - and he did all of his research in a time long before Google.". Im a little unsure on how to unpack this quote. [9], In later life, McLaren contracted Alzheimer's; he had been renowned for his excellent memory.[10]. This is how it sounds when McLaren says cow. Bill believed in sportsmanship shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. But in that same year he contracted tuberculosis, and so began the second fight for his life. Mark Andrews played 77 tests at lock for South Africa from 1994 to 2002. Obituary: Bill McLaren was the most famous and respected - WalesOnline However, when it comes to monster kicks, there can be only Welsh rugby player worthy of that giant-sized accolade. Bill believed in sportsmanship - shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. [2] In 1953, he made his national debut for BBC Radio, covering Scotland's 120 loss to Wales. But his impartiality was never questioned. We inspire a new generation with amazing, true, two minute stories about sportsmanship. You may also know him as a top blazer in World Rugby. The celebration, which will be held initially during October and November, will also feature items from his family life, his years as a PE teacher, where he introduced the likes of Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger to the game of rugby, and also the 18 months he spent on an isolation wing after contracting tuberculosis. (a) Send us any Bill McLaren quotes you recall (add them below in the Leave a Reply box at the very end of other comments) and/or, (b) Tell us what Bills commentaries meant to you (add them below in the Leave a Reply box at the very end of other comments) and/or. Jones, who also now works as a commentator, said: He defined rugby for generations with his commentary and he was such a hard working man because the preparation he put in set the standard for everyone who followed him.. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. All rights reserved. Historians in Hawick are working through thousands of books, videos and clippings in a bid to recreate Bill McLaren's "chaotic" research room. The couple famously used to play 18 holes of golf together every day. "And he was loved for his knowledge as well as his humour. His charging runs may be what Maclaren is referring to in the quote. *Hes like a demented ferret up a wee drainpipe. The one-time captain of Wales was the natural heir of the voice of rugby, Bill McLaren, with whom he shared the BBC commentary box in his early days as a broadcaster. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phra Here is McLaren watching two locks leaping to take the ball in a lineout. McLaren began as a junior reporter with the Hawick Express and made his national debut for BBC radio in 1953, when Scotland were beaten 12-0 by Wales. Eddie Butler: The remarkable life of the 'voice of rugby' He had a twin brother Jim who also played for Scotland and toured with the Lions (New Zealand in 1983). Butler later became a published author. Among those to speak were McLaren's grandson Rory Lawson who competed for Scotland in the Calcutta Cup two days later. Bill McClaren Rugby at its Greatest - YouTube Bill Beaumont played in the second row for England 34 times between 1975 and 1982. He received an OBE, CBE and MBE for services to the sport and combined his work as a broadcaster with that of a PE teacher until 1987. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? This refers to the rather large and burly Doddie Weir, an outstanding Scottish lock. I remember interviewing him once about his early influences, and he mentioned being impressed by the great Jack Manchester, captain of the All Blacks, in 1935. Victor Ubogo who was capped for England 24 times between 1992 and 1999. Some commentators will quickly blabber something innocuous to draw attention away from the incident. Butler, who has died in his sleep at the age of 65 during a walking expedition for charity in Peru, was universally admired in the worlds of rugby and journalism. Ruck.co.uk: the leading rugby union news and content network delivering you the latest news, views and all the moves in Rugby Union. In 1947 he was back in Hawick and playing in a Scottish trial. Matt Williams. I think McLaren is saying that hed quickly lay bricks to build a wall as a defense. add Bill McLaren to 'my astro' Biography Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby union player. On the very few occasions that he got the ball without a defender in sight, he would charge up the field with knees lifted high. #TheVoiceOfRugby #BillMcLaren #JonathanDavies #AndrewCotter Craig Quinnell was a giant (and I mean giant) lock. Watch this colourful video. No one will ever evoke the spirit of Rugby like Bill. He declined the third to South Africa on principled objections to Apartheid. It was Bennett who ran out of his own 22, side-stepping a string of All Blacks and starting the move that led to a try at the other end of the pitch. When his body never his voice began to show signs of age and the second finger of his right hand curled down permanently into his palm, he was told that a simple operation might restore it to the vertical. Perhaps Gibbs most famous try for his country was the one that secured a Grand Slam against England in 1999. He went on the first two of those tours. (modern), Bill McLaren in 2002, the year of his retirement Photograph: Huw John / Rex Features. In McLarens 2005 autobiography he talked frankly about the greatest tragedy of his life: the death of his younger daughter, Janie, from cancer at 46, the three years of agony and the trauma of her final day. Eddie Butler: Former Wales rugby captain and legendary broadcaster dies Three of his grandchildren went on to play rugby, with Rory Lawson and Jim Thompson both current professionals. England was leading with minutes to go, and Gibbs took a pass from his teammate and cut back inside to get over the line. The switch to television came six years later, and it was throughout the following four decades and more that McLaren came to be seen as the foremost authority in rugby commentary. Calder was an openside flanker who was known for his abrasive play. WRU chairman and former Wales captain David Pickering called him a legendary broadcaster and a thorough professional. Bill Mclaren would never be so uncouth. He was particularly offended by a piece in the Western Mail, a paper with little love for Pontypool, comparing him unfavourably with the French captain Jean-Pierre Rives, the warrior flanker with his blood-stained shirt. His club was the Hawick Harlequins, Hawick being a town in Scotland. After retirement, McLaren wrote the book Rugby's Great Heroes and Entertainers in 2003. was described as being like a siege gun.., I recall that Bill M often used the phrase now did ye notice.. when he was getting comment from Beaumont and referred to modern rugby boots as carpet slippers .Brings back such fond memories of watching 5 nations as it was then with my old man..priceless. Butler. William Pollock McLaren CBE (16 October 1923 - 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. [2] He switched to television commentary six years later. He was unbiased, clear . The suggestion was that Waless leader was not passionate enough. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. (modern). He was capped 15 times for the All Blacks between 1972 and 1977. This week we continue with Big Boys. That feared Welsh team of the seventies won three Grand Slams, with Davies tearing up the wing in each of them. His career included winning the 1995 World Cup. News, views and all the moves in the world of Rugby Union, On Phil Bennett:They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him [Phil Bennett] you get to make a wish., On Jonah Lomu:Im no hod carrier but I would be laying bricks if he [Jonah L] was running at me., On Grant Batty:He plays like a runaway bullet., On Gerald Davies:His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning., Its high enough, its long enough AND ITS STRAIGHT ENOUGH.. This week Ollie Campbell (Ireland & Lions fly half) told me that just the mention of Bill McLarens name brings great memories gushing back. The Bill McLaren Voice of Rugby Dinner 2023 - Facebook This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. As fiercely passionate a Scot as you could wish to meet, McLaren never let nationality cloud his judgement. McLaren had wanted to stay at her bedside but she insisted he go and carry out a commentating duty in Edinburgh on the Saturday afternoon. In his teenage years, McLaren grew up to be a useful flank forward. Eddies mother, Margaret (nee Asplen), was a Londoner and later the couple ran a guesthouse in Raglan, Monmouthshire. In all he spent 19 months in hospital battling the condition and recalled crying myself to sleep each night as they took away my friends who had died that day. At 63, Meads wasnt particularly tall. On Victor Ubogus behind England v South Africa. You will be inspired! William Pollock McLaren CBE (16 October 1923 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. Stradey is a location in the middle of the town of Llanelli. Butler took over from McLaren as the BBCs senior commentator in 2002. As well as being awarded an MBE, OBE and CBE, Bill became the first non-international player to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. The late Graeme Moody was a widely respected radio rugby commentator for 35 years. But commanding the most space in the Wilton Park museum will be Bill's vast archive of rugby memorabilia and reports. He was just a lovely, lovely man and I was privileged to have worked with him and more importantly to have met him.. The Yorkshireman, with his permanently peeved tone, and Eddie with an easygoing style which suggested that rugby was not the most important thing in the world, should not have worked, but it did, and the two became great friends over the years. A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: Bill McLaren is Welsh. Geoghegan was one of my favorite players in the early nineties, and I think McLaren describes him fairly well! ), He could sidestep 3 men in a telephone box, Hes like a demented ferret up a wee drainpipe., On Scotlands towering Doddie Weir running with the ball, like a run-away giraffe., On Irelands Simon Geoghegan, Irish winger Hes like Bambi on speed., On NZs Grant Batty: He plays like a runaway bullet., On SAs Carel Du Plessis the prince of left wings.. His voice came to represent rugby in the same way Murray Walkers did motor racing and Peter OSullevans horse racing. Here is McLarens view of the diminutive winger: Despite Battys stature, he was known for being hard as nails. He was educated at Monmouth School and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied French and Spanish between 1976 and 1978.Butler played as a number eight and gained Cambridge Blues in 1976, 1977 and 1978, Butler played in 16 matches for the Welsh national side between 1980 and 1984 and captained the side in six of those matches. Bennets got his first cap for Wales when he came on as a substitute for an injured teammate. New Zealand radio . This is unusual (Australias John Eales is the only other one I can think of). Over the. Let's see if you can match the quote to the player or coach! I thought the telephone box line was about Robert Jones. Watch: The teenage Welsh rugby players scoring monster kicks - Nation.Cymru Then two through Janie: former Edinburgh and Scotland 7s player Jim Thompson and other son Alex. McLaren, now in his 86th year, lives quietly at his home in Hawick, in the beautiful Scottish borders. [5], McLaren studied Physical Education in Aberdeen, and went on to teach PE in different schools throughout Scotland right through to 1987. *Theyll be simply chuffed to bits down at. @Rich am not sure could be Jones, or @Brendan could be Phil Bennet or Gerald Davies who could also jink. That teammate was Scott Quinnell. The Welsh golden age ofthe 1970s would not have been so gilded without the soundtrack of Bill to the exploits ofGareth Edwards. A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: "Bill McLaren is Welsh". Farewell to Bill McLaren 'the voice of rugby' - Logo of the BBC This is the greatest Wales rugby team of all time and these are the Not just a Scottish rugby legend, Bill McLaren is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. He decided to leave well alone, since it seemed to improve his grip on his clubs. 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This weekend, like any other when the Six Nations Championship is being held, he will watch the matches from television at his home. He was particularly renowned for his place kicking which won plenty of games for his country. His spirit lives on here in this blog and in The Bill McLaren Foundation. The 60-year-old retired surgeon, who lives near Cowbridge, said: He was never biased towards Scotland, which was typified by the conversion of John Taylor at Murrayfield in 1971 [to seal a 19-18 victory for Wales]. Orwhen some of his former pupils, suchas Jim Renwick, Colin Deans orTony Stanger, scored for Scotland. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. Appointed CBE in 2003, he is survived by Bette and his daughter Linda. Bill McLaren - The Telegraph BBC Archive: Commentary gold with Bill McLaren - BBC Sport Murray added: "Bill was like the Wikipedia of rugby, long before there was Wikipedia. He became a columnist and journalist who was not. The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. As well as building a replica of the famous Murrayfield scoreboard that sat above the East terrace, the exhibition will allow visitors to sit inside the original commentary gantry from the national stadium. Here is where I disagree with the great commentator. Bill McLarens spirit lives on here in this blog and in The Bill McLaren Foundation. 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Bill McLaren's career behind the microphone began with BBC radio in 1953. *Those props are as cunning as a bag o weasels. He would offer us that curled hand in a two-finger shake and a bag of Hawick balls, round brown sweets boiled in peppermint oil. Perhaps it was the . Among the personal highlights of his career were the commentary for Scotlands Grand Slam victory over England at Murrayfield in 1990. The Voice Of Rugby by Bill McLaren | Goodreads He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. However, Gibbs was also renowned as a hard-tackling machine. Loading interface. Ive still got the fictional reports I used to write when I was a wee boy of seven or eight. He was known as The Voice Of Rugby. This article gives you the quotes., who hes referring to, and an explanation. Bill McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. Former Welsh international turned pundit and broadcaster Jonathan Davies, 47, was McLarens co-commentator for his final game and said he had grown up listening to McLaren before working alongside him. Here is McLaren on a tall lock from the amateur era who also happened to be a copper. Hence, the runaway bullet description. Texas Railroad Commission Production Data By Well, Bar W Leander, Bristol City 2020 21, The Sweet Spot Bakery Sumter Sc, Articles B
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