Well, no dancing in the streets of Hawick tonight but Scotland were unlucky to lose by a 14 pt margin. From his first marriage, to Jennifer Jones, Butler had three children, Rebecca, Hannah and Jack. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. New Zealand radio . Eddie Butler was a rarity in top-class sport. 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After their divorce, he married Susan Roberts, with whom he had a further three children, Jacob, Nell and Seth. Bill McLaren | Military Wiki | Fandom All rights reserved. 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]. McLaren was born in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, in 1923 to a knitwear salesman from Loch Lomond-side who had moved down to the area. I think it might be easier to tackle a snooker table than Lomu. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phra 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. Here is McLaren watching a lock forward making a break up the field. Pontypool played on a public park, but were making a name for themselves in Welsh rugby, often not in a good way. 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. [15], McLaren has continued to be honoured for his legacy in Hawick and in the sport of rugby. *I was there (at Twickenham) in 1938 when Scotland won 28-16. McLaren, now in his 86th year, lives quietly at his home in Hawick, in the beautiful Scottish borders. His expressions and the sound of that unique Scottish burrrr, remain vivid memories for a generation who grew up to enjoy and admire his commentaries during the 50 years of his tenure. His nickname was Pine Tree. 329 pages, Hardcover First published October 1, 2004 Book details & editions Loading interface. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Our previous quotes have generally referred to a single individual. "We have around 10,000 items of fan mail and we could only find one that had a complaint.". The prop blithely stepped out of his breeks and bent over to put on the pristine pair. His smaller brother Scott was three inches shorter but with a similar frame. He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. Here is McLaren on a tall lock from the amateur era who also happened to be a copper. This refers to the rather large and burly Doddie Weir, an outstanding Scottish lock. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. "It was full of books, newspaper cuttings, magazines and videos - there were three piles of videos from floor to ceiling. Winger Simon Geoghegan who was capped 37 times for Ireland between 1991 and 1996. Fri Feb 3 2023 - 10:29. Bill believed passionately in sportsmanship. McLaren would have chuckled at that notion, but the love of rugby in Wales was something he always . *Hes like a raging bull with a bad head. No one will ever evoke the spirit of Rugby like Bill. Many notable names from rugby and broadcasting attended the event with several sharing their own memories of Bill as a commentator, teacher, friend and family member. Arguably the greatest sports commentator ever, certainly the greatest rugby commentator, Bill McLaren, known as The Voice Of Rugby believed passionately in sport and sportsmanship. Thousands pay tribute to McLaren - ESPN Bill McLarens spirit lives on here in this blog and in The Bill McLaren Foundation. In his early union career, he toured with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand aged only 22. McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. He used to say about my speed, If you blink youd miss him and If you knock a light off he could jump into bed quicker than the light goes off. Re carpet slippers hes right. McLaren studied in Aberdeen and taught PE until 1987, coaching three players who went on to star for Scotland: Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger. He served with the Royal Artillery in Italy during the Second World War,[2] including the Battle of Monte Cassino. He became more famous once his playing days were over for his work as a broadcaster, journalist and novelist. 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.. I worked with him for a decade, one ofhis many "second voices". Scotland always won. 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Bill believed in sportsmanship shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. Until his retirement in 2002, he was known as 'the voice of rugby'. William Pollock McLaren CBE (16 October 1923 - 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. Tell us your story. Bill McLaren obituary | Rugby union | The Guardian Born in Chorley, Lancashire, he played 10 times at Test level and proved an exceptional player for Swansea RFC, for whom he made 242 appearances and skippered in 1976-77. This is considered one of the greatest tries in the history of the sport. This is unusual (Australias John Eales is the only other one I can think of). He had a twin brother Jim who also played for Scotland and toured with the Lions (New Zealand in 1983). It hurt him just before his retirement in 2002 that he was once denied access to an Australian training session. 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.". His voice was unmistakable to generations of rugby fans, who grew up listening to a man whose knowledge and enthusiasm were equalled only by his impartiality. Over the following five decades he became one of the most recognisable and favoured voices on radio and television. Aidan Smith's Saturday Interview: Welsh wizard John Taylor on one of rugby's great contests, Bill McLaren, standing against apartheid and his worry that Scotland are "building something". Historian Murray Watson said he had spent two years going through 30,000 different items from the room. This is the greatest Wales rugby team of all time and these are the Welsh fly half Dan Biggar has a lengthy pre-kick ritual of repeatedly twitching and touching his hair as he stares at the ball on the tee. [2] McLaren was one of many post-war commentators who progressed from commentating on BBC Radio to BBC Television during the infancy of television broadcasting in the UK. *Ive hardly ever had to pay to get in (the best thing in his view about 50 years of commentary at rugby matches). Meanwhile, scroll down to choose a story categorised by a country or a sport. Nicknamed the Viet Gwent, they notoriously took no prisoners with their hard-nosed pack of forwards, spearheaded by the Wales front row of Charlie Faulkner, Bobby Windsor and Graham Price. William Henry Thomas, the forgotten Welsh Hero of 1888 by @Wil94831317Bill April 23 2023 marks 135 years . A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: Bill McLaren is Welsh. Barry John, yes, maybe. McLaren also featured as a commentator on the video games Jonah Lomu Rugby and EA Rugby 2001, and also did voice work for Telewest Communications. This refers to Scottish fullback Gavin Hastings. Butler became a published author in 2014. The beloved commentator sadly passed away in 2010 but his legacy will live . Its similar to a coo kicking over a milk pail. 20 of the best quotes from the 'Voice of Rugby' Bill McLaren #WALvENG75: We won't even try and break down this Steve - Facebook Become an ambassador (looks good on your CV). Its seven years now since the man with the golden voice finally laid down his famous microphone. As HRH The Princess Royal said in paying tribute to McLaren He has passed on his love for the game and all it represents to everyone he has met or spoken with. Llanelli were one of the 11 founding clubs of the WRU in 1881 and one of the most famous names in world club rugby, producing legends such as Phil Bennett, Ray Gravell, Delme Thomas and Ieuan Evans. Bill Mclaren: Flower of Scotland - YouTube Bill McLaren, horoscope for birth date 16 October 1923, born in - Astro Three of his grandchildren went on to play rugby, with Rory Lawson and Jim Thompson both current professionals. 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. His novel, The Head of Gonzo Davies (2014), featured a rugby-playing supporter of Welsh independence, a thinly veiled autobiographical work about a back-row forward who has played for Wales but returns to his village in the valleys where the street lights have long gone outside the old rugby clubhouse. Susan and his children survive him. The image would haunt him for the rest of his days. Farewell to Bill McLaren 'the voice of rugby' - Logo of the BBC Dooley towered over the opposition at 68. Renwick sent the ball sailing wide. Bill McLaren, who died on January 19 aged 86, was to millions of sports fans "the voice of rugby", bringing wit, erudition and style to hundreds of commentaries on BBC radio and television in a. The Late Great Bill McLaren did! 60 Of The Best - Great Quotes from the late great Bill McLaren (part 2 See more. They were coached by the fierce disciplinarian Ray Prosser, but Eddie the varsity youth, with his cultured tones and inevitable nickname Bamber, after the University Challenge presenter, fitted in with Pontypools ethos. He was a very special person., Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis said: When he retired from the game he was missed in the manner that many of the greatest players in Welsh rugby history have been, which is some accolade in itself, before you consider he was a Scotsman.. 2023 BBC. His first commentary was made while recovering from TB, describing table tennis matches for the hospital radio. McLaren lived in Hawick with wife Bette, who he met on a blind date at in the towns hall in 1947. They beat the world once by 70-3.. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and a memorable turn of phrase endeared him to all rugby fans. He moved out to the wing a few years later, where he played for his country through much of the 1970s. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images. His club was the Hawick Harlequins, Hawick being a town in Scotland. He particularly enjoyed having the Sunday pulpit to himself at the Observer rather than the daily grind at the Guardian. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. We were honoured when Bills daughter, Linda, wrote a beautiful piece for last weeks post. But for those who loved McLarens sayings and laughed at the descriptions he dreamt up of the competitors, here are a few famous phrases from the Bill McLaren rugby commentary scrapbook, spoken both on and off air *Its high enough, its long enough AND ITS STRAIGHT ENOUGH. He saw no evil and spoke no evil. But commanding the most space in the Wilton Park museum will be Bill's vast archive of rugby memorabilia and reports. Murray Watson is going through Bill's vast archive ahead of this autumn's exhibition. His nickname was Car Crash for his effect on the opposition ball carrier! Davies scored twenty tries in 46 tests, an impressive feat both then and now. You can use our stories in a structured programme. He was just a lovely, lovely man and I was privileged to have worked with him and more importantly to have met him.. Some commentators will quickly blabber something innocuous to draw attention away from the incident. *Tweet, tweet, tweet commentary on Scottish full-back Peter Dods strange run up to a penalty kick. He had some tests along the way, especially when his son-in-law, the scrum-half Alan Lawson, or later his grandson in the same position, Rory Lawson, were playing for Scotland. Theres the Quinnell brothers, two well-nourished individuals. But in that same year he contracted tuberculosis, and so began the second fight for his life. For a year short of a full half-century, first on radio and from 1962 on BBC television, Bill's voice washed over rugby union, soothing and harmonious. Bennets got his first cap for Wales when he came on as a substitute for an injured teammate. During his final commentary, Wales v Scotland in 2002, the crowd sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow"[8] and one Welsh supporter displayed a banner claiming "Bill McLaren is Welsh". Ive already described Doddie Weir in the previous quote. Throughout his distinguished career he earned . 1953 was his first appearance on national radio and he went on . [2], Recognition of his services came in November 2001, when he became the first non-international to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. Bill's preparation was meticulous and involved a lot of card-play. Seeking inspiration for his first team talk as Scotland captain in November 2010, Rory Lawson decided to head for Hawick where his grandfather, World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Bill McLaren, had taught and encouraged so many children to play rugby in a lifetime devoted to the sport. [2] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many.[3]. Brilliant Jasen Id forgotten did ye notice? which was such a great way of grabbing your attention and generating the option for something trivial or intriguing. He went on the first two of those tours. The depth of McLarens research became legendary, and he would spend days watching teams train in the week before a match, and then spend nights practising with his own special packet of cards. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Heres a quote that probably needs a translation for a non-Scottish audience: He hoists his breeks, does a little shammy shammy. He was used as a forward spotter, and on one occasion was confronted by a mound of 1,500 corpses in an Italian churchyard, an unpleasant experience which never left him. This is how it sounds when McLaren says cow. If youre not familiar with Celtic culture theres a notion that if you catch a tiny magical creature, it will grant you a wish. Three ofthe five died. From giant winger to tiny wingerGrant Batty was only 55. The 62 year old, who has become a well-known commentator since playing, said: I enjoyed having banter with him before every Wales Scotland match. Last weeks 15 Quotes from Bill covered Celebrations, Fisticuffs, Tough Guys & some Big Boys. Here is McLaren watching defenders bouncing off legendary All Black winger Jonah Lomu. Wed have a little side bet of a sixpence on who would win the match and he would inevitably send a sixpence in the post for me a couple of days later.. As a rugby player, he was, to borrow one of his phrases, a "tearaway flanker", a forward with the Hawick first XV, hugely promising by all accounts and fanatical from the day his father took him to see the New Zealand All Blacks at Mansfield Park, Hawick. It is not being overly melancholic to say that the Six Nations Championship has never seemed quite the same since McLaren retired. Ruck.co.uk: the leading rugby union news and content network delivering you the latest news, views and all the moves in Rugby Union. Three of the others died but I made what amounted to a miracle recovery.. 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. Tackling like a car crash Here is McLaren on Scott Gibbs, a burly Welsh center who switched successfully between rugby league and rugby union. One of his grandfathers was a brickie in the steelworks in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. His unique descriptions and authoritive voice added so much excitement, intrigue and enthral. Heres another interesting fact about Finlay. Dont forget, firstly, theres lots of rugby stories (scroll down the right hand side to see rugby in the categories) and secondly, there are 4 separate posts containing Bills Quotes. *His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning (description of Welsh wing Gerald Davies). Start your Independent Premium subscription today. But McLaren isnt too impressed with the flankers ball-handling skills! Former Welsh scrum-half Brynmor Williams said though he often found himself playing second fiddle to Gareth Edwards, Mclaren made him feel like an integral part of the Welsh set-up in the 1970s. 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. But this quote always comes back to me when a tall and ungainly youngster breaks free. There must have been something inside me that wanted to describe rugby football to people, he once said. In this case, McLaren is referring to the entire Springbok pack. Here are seven quotes. He decided to leave well alone, since it seemed to improve his grip on his clubs. Rugby for orchestra and full voice, and nobody made a sound quite like Bill McLaren. Having memorised the names, he then liked to watch the players in training, listening to them. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Breeks are breeches. The proud scot also liked to use Scottish phrasing which sometimes needs interpretation for the rest of us. Siege Gun a gem. McLaren was named among the inaugural members of the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame in 2010 and inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame during Rugby World Cup 2015.[16][17][18]. *He plays like a runaway bullet (description of New Zealand wing Grant Batty). Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. And what about Stradey? The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. [9], In later life, McLaren contracted Alzheimer's; he had been renowned for his excellent memory.[10]. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can probably tell that McLaren wasnt too impressed with Browns kicking style! Pity they couldnt get over for that second try. They had 5 grandchildren, three through Linda: Scotland scrum-half and Gloucester player Rory, Morphsuits co-founder and former Scotland 7s player Gregor and a daughter Lindsay. A hod carrier is someone who works on a building site and carries a pile of bricks on something that looks like a shovel. Post a comment. Bill McLaren's 'Best Bits' - Highlights from the Voice of Rugby This refers to Wade Dooley who was a policeman who walked the beat in the seaside town of Blackpool. They are different. Big Victor Ubogu had his shorts ripped to shreds in a frantic ruck and as he bent down to change them right in front of the camera his big behind came into view, Bills dulcet tones rang out A splendid rear-view there! The whole pub erupted with laughter. Invite us to tell stories in your school or club. 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. 20 of the best quotes from the Voice of Rugby Bill McLaren, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Newcastle Falcons Kingston Park Stadium Guide, Northampton Saints Franklins Gardens Stadium Guide, LIST | Four more Saracens players could exit at the end of the season, Social media pays tribute to Harlequins legend Chris Robshaw after final home game, Nine things you should NEVER say to a female rugby fan, WATCH: Lengthy ban for vicious tackle on female referee, 15 reasons why children SHOULD play Rugby Union, Giant Wales Prop Gets Trapped In Childrens Playground Seat, Terrible refereeing Stuart Barnes lays into Karl Dickson after controversial red card, Fans find out Lawrence Dallaglios real name in new documentary, REPORTS | Argentina fly-half closes in on Premiership switch, Eight great reasons why you SHOULD let your daughter play rugby, Complete Workhorse Jack Willis Breaks Defensive Record in Heineken Champions Cup, Under 25 Caps Wales Breakout Star To Miss Rugby World Cup As He Plays in England, Thanks for that Jack Nowell exits interview after audacious question, Wales name former England prop in their Rugby World Cup training squad, Final Confirmed: Leinster and La Rochelle to Meet in Champions Cup Deja Vu, 16th Player Red Roses Stars Celebrate Record Womens Rugby Crowd At Grand Slam Triumph, Culture Round WATCH: Super Rugby Sides Celebrate Heritage With Hakas. #TheVoiceOfRugby #BillMcLaren #JonathanDavies #AndrewCotter We are the leading rugby union news and content network delivering you the latest news, views and all the moves in Rugby Union. 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. This video contains content from Six Nations Rugby, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds Bill McLaren's 'Best Bits' - Highlights from the Voice of Rugby Bill McLaren. This is what McLaren had to say about Phil Bennett, the great Welsh flyhalf. In the summer break the teenager was introduced to the Pontypool club, a more villagey, earthy Valleys side than the traditional east Wales big clubs, Cardiff and Newport. I was fortunate enough to be playing at a time when he was at his peak and if you watched a match and he wasnt commentating it wasnt the same.. It doesnt have to be someone who actually heard Bill. On Phil Bennett: "They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him [Phil Bennett] you get to make a wish." Meads grew up on a sheep farm and raised his own family on a farm. As fiercely passionate a Scot as you could wish to meet, McLaren never let nationality cloud his judgement. Commentators today cannot match the wit and the speed of his comments. By 1983 he was captaining the Wales side while working as a teacher at Cheltenham college, whose Cotswold stone cloisters were a world away from the slag-black surroundings of Pontypool. No matter what it was you couldnt wait to hear what he had to say whenever he said that! Bill McLaren's 'chaotic' study to be recreated - BBC News The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him you get to make a wish. He was awarded an MBE in 1992, an OBE in 1995 and a CBE in the 2003 honours list. It was through his junior reporting with the Hawick Express that he launched himself into a career of commentary, making his national debut for BBC radio in 1953, when Scotland were beaten 12-0 by Wales. Not just a Scottish rugby legend, Bill McLaren is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. But in truth, he was much more than rugby's voice, more its full-blown orchestra, devoted to the works of the Romantic movement, and only the Romantic. I think the jink is dying in modern rugby certainly the Welsh are trying to keep it alive lets hope its never lost. 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. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Not just a Scottish rugby legend, Bill McLaren is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. Perhaps it was the . [2] He coached several Hawick youngsters who went on to play for Scotland, including Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger. His running action could look a little ungainly. Bill McLaren - Wikipedia Rugby's Great Heroes and Entertainers by Bill McLaren - Goodreads He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. Sandy Ryan wins WBO welterweight world title with victory over Marie At the East Fortune sanatorium inEast Lothian, he was selected as one offive patients to take part in trials for anew antibiotic, streptomycin. He had a unique way to take an interest in every international player and making you feel so important when he bumped into you. When Paul Thorburn kicked a record-breaking penalty from 64.2m against Scotland in 1986, it left legendary commentator Bill McLaren to utter the immortal words: "I've seen all the greatest goal kickers in the last decade, but I . With reference to Moss Keane prime Irish beef? Rugby greats pay tribute to Bill McLaren, who died yesterday In 2000 Bill and Bette lost their daughter Janie to cancer. 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