bill mclaren on welsh rugby

I think hes muttering a few naughty Hawick words. He almost jumped to his left and right without changing speed. I think McLaren is saying that hed quickly lay bricks to build a wall as a defense. Pity they couldnt get over for that second try. He has two famous sons-in-law, Linda married former Scotland rugby scrum half Alan Lawson and Janie married horse racing commentator Derek Thompson. Edward Thomas Butler, rugby player and sports journalist, born 8 May 1957; died 15 September 2022, Rugby player who won 16 caps for Wales and went on to become an Observer journalist and a leading commentator for the BBC, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. He was particularly renowned for his place kicking which won plenty of games for his country. 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. Some of his finest broadcasting work came in the form of montages and voiceovers during the London Olympics of 2012. think of a trout leaping up a stream. Beaumont also captained England 21 times. Invite us to tell stories in your school or club. He loved the characters in the game. Comments. "We have now resurrected all of the furniture that was in there, things like the desk, the chair, the shelves, the typewriter and even the empty Hawick Balls tins he used for pens and paperclips. Bill McLaren followed the likes of Peter OSullevan, John Arlott, Harry Carpenter and Murray Walker into retirement and a generation of BBC commentators had finally fallen silent. Renwick sent the ball sailing wide. Enter your email address below and we will email you new posts: 60 Of The Best Great Quotes from Bill McLaren (part 1 of 4) Celebrations, Fisticuffs, Tough Guys, Big Boys and Bills Daughter, Linda, The Triumph Of Human Spirit Wins African Cup Of Nations, 60 Of The Best Great Quotes from Bill McLaren (part 1 of 4) | Great Moments Of Sportsmanship, 60 Of The Best Great Quotes from Bill McLaren - Part 2, 60 Of The Best Great Quotes from the Late Great Bill McLaren (part 3 of 4) | Great Moments Of Sportsmanship, 60 Of The Best Great Quotes from the late great Bill McLaren (part 4 of 4) | Great Moments Of Sportsmanship. 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. *His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning (description of Welsh wing Gerald Davies). He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. *Hes like a raging bull with a bad head. The Welsh golden age ofthe 1970s would not have been so gilded without the soundtrack of Bill to the exploits ofGareth Edwards. Bill believed passionately in sportsmanship. 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.. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? We won't even try and break down this Steve Fenwick try for you: nobody could do it better than the inimitable Bill McLaren . After retirement, McLaren wrote the book Rugby's Great Heroes and Entertainers in 2003. However, he said it was fair to describe the room as "chaotic" and added: "It was an absolute tip. The experience would later colour Butlers journalism in print particularly he was sympathetic to the players plying their rough trade. Eddies mother, Margaret (nee Asplen), was a Londoner and later the couple ran a guesthouse in Raglan, Monmouthshire. The quote comes from McLaren watching Hastings preparation before a place kick. sidestep 3 men in a phonebox? Bill McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. Bennets got his first cap for Wales when he came on as a substitute for an injured teammate. He stood 66 and carried a huge frame. They both go up like two pieces of white bread in a pop-up toaster. Some commentators will quickly blabber something innocuous to draw attention away from the incident. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Bill McLaren was a legendary commentator on rugby matches. Max Boyce whose home village of Glynneath has played annual matches against McLarens hometown of Hawick for more than 56 years called for a minutes silence at Wales Six Nations clash with Scotland at the Millennium Stadium on February 13. McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. At least the table doesnt bend and lean forward to crash through you. Stradey Park was the home ground for Llanelli RFC. McLaren is describing the kicker action. The couple famously used to play 18 holes of golf together every day. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and a memorable turn of phrase endeared him to all rugby fans. Television now rules the rugby broadcaster, but there are still some superb radio commentators. William Henry Thomas, the forgotten Welsh Hero of 1888 by @Wil94831317Bill April 23 2023 marks 135 years . Commentators today cannot match the wit and the speed of his comments. Now think of those gangly steps when under the influence of a particular illegal substance! Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Ubogo was a burly prop who could shift around the field. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. At 63, Meads wasnt particularly tall. 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. In 2000 Bill and Bette lost their daughter Janie to cancer. 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. Rugby lost its true voice on Tuesday when much-loved and respected Scottish commentator Bill McLaren passed away at the age of 86. The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. But in that same year he contracted tuberculosis, and so began the second fight for his life. [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. 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. His unique contribution to the commentators art has been applauded by both his peers and listeners alike the world over.. The twins and two more brothers did all play together for their club. 138KG of prime South African beef referring to the Springboks heaviest player ever, Flippie van der Merwe. Sometimes you had to tug away for a wee while. Stradey is a location in the middle of the town of Llanelli. 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. But commanding the most space in the Wilton Park museum will be Bill's vast archive of rugby memorabilia and reports. 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. He was renowned for his turns of phrase. In other words, the first part refers to Hasting pulling up his shorts. A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: "Bill McLaren is Welsh". [5] While in the hospital, he began his broadcasting career, by commenting on table tennis games on the hospital radio. He went on the first two of those tours. The legendary commentator, who retired in 2002 after almost 50 years as a broadcaster, died in hospital yesterday morning, aged 86. In this case, the kicker is Peter Brown, who played 27 times for Scotland between 1964 and 73. By 1980 Butler had won his first cap in the defeat of France in Cardiff. It is not. There was an incident in a match where Ubogos shorts were ripped down the side. McLaren lived in Hawick with wife Bette, who he met on a blind date at in the towns hall in 1947. "And he was loved for his knowledge as well as his humour. He merely points out that the two brothers were well-fed! It hurt him just before his retirement in 2002 that he was once denied access to an Australian training session. And tributes to Bill McLaren poured in last night from some of the greatest players to have ever graced the game. Younger rugby lovers marvel at Bills turn of phrase, his sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie and if you listen to Bills actual voice in the audio clip in the first post, they get a feel for the sheer excitement created when you hear his unique voice the voice of rugby as the late great Bill McLaren was called. A flanker, he had a trial for Scotland in 1947 and was on the verge of a full international cap when he contracted tuberculosis, which nearly killed him. (modern), Bill McLaren in 2002, the year of his retirement Photograph: Huw John / Rex Features. It was said that Bill McLaren, whohas died aged 86, was the voice ofrugby. Historian Murray Watson said he had spent two years going through 30,000 different items from the room. *Theyll be dancing in the streets of Hawick/Selkirk/ tonight. Tell a friend. 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. Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones, 37, said McLaren was famous for dispensing Hawick balls Scottish butter mint sweets to everyone he met. Heres another interesting fact about Finlay. *Ive hardly ever had to pay to get in (the best thing in his view about 50 years of commentary at rugby matches). I think it might be easier to tackle a snooker table than Lomu. His charging runs may be what Maclaren is referring to in the quote. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. But McLaren was delighted and provided his listening audience with helpful commentary as to what was going on. It is not being overly melancholic to say that the Six Nations Championship has never seemed quite the same since McLaren retired. He was also very fast. 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. Susan and his children survive him. His career included winning the 1995 World Cup. Hes like Bambi on speed. What a description of one of Irelands greatest wingers. He moved out to the wing a few years later, where he played for his country through much of the 1970s. He was awarded his MBE in 1992, an OBE in 1995 and a CBE in the 2003 honours list. @Rich am not sure could be Jones, or @Brendan could be Phil Bennet or Gerald Davies who could also jink. Youll find some lists of McLaren quotes that dont clarify who hes talking about. Bill McClaren Rugby at its Greatest - YouTube Video unavailable 0:00 / 0:31 Video unavailable This video contains content from Six Nations Rugby, who has blocked it in your country on. He became a columnist and journalist who was not. Bill played for Combined Services XV in Italy in 1946, Hawick High School XV in 1937 with Bill McLaren, second from right on back row, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. I worked with him for a decade, one ofhis many "second voices". BBC Rewind pays tribute to legendary commentator Bill McLaren who became known as "the voice of rugby". 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. In his early union career, he toured with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand aged only 22. His voice was almost operatic in its clarity and range as he described his son-in-law Alan Lawson scoring against England in 1976, when he managed to convey the excitement of the moment without bias, as only he could. With one of his daughters, Nell, he was raising money for prostate cancer on the hike to Machu Picchu. This week Ollie Campbell (Ireland & Lions fly half) told me that just the mention of Bill McLarens name brings great memories gushing back. Renwick was also a placekicker, although not the usual first-choice kicker for his country. Bill believed in sportsmanship shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. This refers to Springbok Mark Andrews and Scotlands Doddie Weir competing for the ball in the lineout. It simply did not matter. He was tough and willing. Following his death in 2010, the Bill McLaren Foundation (BMF) was formed by former friends and colleagues in his hometown of Hawick. Dinner plates cant clasp a ball. He became more famous once his playing days were over for his work as a broadcaster, journalist and novelist. Not just a Scottish rugby legend, Bill McLaren is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. Butler took over from McLaren as the BBCs senior commentator in 2002. Butler later became a published author. The beloved commentator sadly passed away in 2010 but his legacy will live . However, Gibbs was also renowned as a hard-tackling machine. 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. 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". 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. 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.. 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. Tackling like a car crash Here is McLaren on Scott Gibbs, a burly Welsh center who switched successfully between rugby league and rugby union. It was only accessible from water or by abseiling, Experts make 'one of the world's greatest fossil discoveries' in Wales, They were found in rocks which lay under the sea over 460 million years ago, Wales Rugby World Cup training squad announcement as Gatland names host of new players, Warren Gatland has named his preliminary World Cup training squad ahead of three summer warm-up Tests and two training camps, Ryan Reynolds snubs star-studded Hollywood Met Gala to attend Wrexham trophy parade instead, The Deadpool star is set to snub the glitzy event in favour of the promotion party in north Wales, Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley explains why wife Judy sleeps in the spare room, The outspoken TV presenter has tried to solve the problem with peanut butter - which isn't as bizarre as it sounds, Cardiff City news as Joe Ralls backs Sabri Lamouchi to stay and boss hits out at fixture pile-up, The latest news from the Cardiff City Stadium, Who is Henry Thomas? Scott played at centre and was bigger than most players at that level. 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. 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 . Our previous quotes have generally referred to a single individual. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Bill McLaren obituary BBC sports commentator and 'the voice of rugby union' for nearly 50 years Bill McLaren in 2002, the year of his retirement Photograph: Huw John / Rex Features Eddie. 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. 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. While he convalesced, he began to commentate on table tennis for hospital radio. There was also an internet campaign last year to give McLaren, from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, a knighthood for his work. Oct 20 Celebrate what would have been Bill's 100th year with fantastic company & storytelling from @JiffyRugby & @MrAndrewCotter, plus special guests! Bill Mclaren Quotes Part 3 about Runners (& jinkers); Passing; Kicking and Lineout Jumping (15 x Quotes), Bill Mclaren Quotes Part 4 Line-Out jumping (continued), Weather Conditions, Classic Mclaren, Looking Back (15 x Quotes). 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. A recreation of the office will act as a centrepiece of an exhibition to celebrate Bill's centenary. Meads grew up on a sheep farm and raised his own family on a farm. The event combined show reels of some of McLaren's most famous moments and some of McLaren's favourite music including a specially recorded performance of Caledonia by Dougie MacLean and a performance by Ronnie Browne of The Corries. He toured with the Lions in 1977 to South Africa. Breeks are breeches. 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. Throughout his distinguished career he earned . 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. He said: I had the pleasure of co-commentating with him and learning from one of the best commentators the sport has ever seen or heard. During a career with the BBC which spanned almost 50 years, McLaren became the most famous and respected commentator in the game. It was only accessible from water or by abseiling, Experts make 'one of the world's greatest fossil discoveries' in Wales, They were found in rocks which lay under the sea over 460 million years ago, Wales Rugby World Cup training squad announcement as Gatland names host of new players, Warren Gatland has named his preliminary World Cup training squad ahead of three summer warm-up Tests and two training camps, Ryan Reynolds snubs star-studded Hollywood Met Gala to attend Wrexham trophy parade instead, The Deadpool star is set to snub the glitzy event in favour of the promotion party in north Wales, Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley explains why wife Judy sleeps in the spare room, The outspoken TV presenter has tried to solve the problem with peanut butter - which isn't as bizarre as it sounds, Cardiff City news as Joe Ralls backs Sabri Lamouchi to stay and boss hits out at fixture pile-up, The latest news from the Cardiff City Stadium, Who is Henry Thomas?

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