I dont care! William Pollock Bill McLaren, CBE (16 October 1923 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. 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. 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. He was capped 61 times from 1990 to 2000. The Bill McLaren Foundation, a charity which exists to develop and promote rugby union and sporting opportunities, was launched at Murrayfield Stadium on 4 March 2010. [2] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many.[3]. 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. "Give me a wee tug on the sleeve, son, if you want to come in." Windsor said: The biggest fear with him was when he finishes how do we replace him? 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. Ryan simply had too much for Canadian Houle as her precision and power saw her control . 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. 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. His running action could look a little ungainly. William Henry Thomas, the forgotten Welsh Hero of 1888 by @Wil94831317Bill April 23 2023 marks 135 years . *His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning (description of Welsh wing Gerald Davies). All rights reserved. During a career with the BBC which spanned almost 50 years, McLaren became the most famous and respected commentator in the game. #TheVoiceOfRugby #BillMcLaren #JonathanDavies #AndrewCotter McLaren passed away at the age of 86 in 2010. 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 charging runs may be what Maclaren is referring to in the quote. In November 2001, McLaren became the first non-international to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. Sadly, McLaren, known as 'the voice of rugby' for his brilliant BBC commentaries, had died earlier in the year, but the visit to the Border town rekindled memories of Lawson's youth and gave him the subject matter to lift his side ahead of an encounter against the world champion Springboks. Definitely one of the Welsh greats from that era think Id go for Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies or the phenomenal Phil Bennett. Bill Beaumont played in the second row for England 34 times between 1975 and 1982. This weekend, like any other when the Six Nations Championship is being held, he will watch the matches from television at his home. When they get going, its like watching cattle stampede, huge fellows who thunder about the paddock like mad rhinos. He moved out to the wing a few years later, where he played for his country through much of the 1970s. 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. 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.. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. 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. But his impartiality was never questioned. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? McLaren, from Hawick in the Borders, was known as the "voice of rugby" and died . 329 pages, Hardcover First published October 1, 2004 Book details & editions Loading interface. Anyone else know for sure who Bill was referring to when he said He could sidestep 3 men in a telephone box ? Sometimes you had to tug away for a wee while. 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. Bill McLaren's career behind the microphone began with BBC radio in 1953. His sidestep was marvelous, like a shaft of lightning. 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.". Perhaps Gibbs most famous try for his country was the one that secured a Grand Slam against England in 1999. William Pollock McLaren CBE (16 October 1923 - 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. 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. [2] He spent 19 months in a sanatorium in East Fortune in East Lothian, where he was given the experimental antibiotic streptomycin, which saved his life;[2] of the five patients given the drug, only two survived. The Quinnell name is famous in Welsh rugby. 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". Something went wrong, please try again later. Youll find some lists of McLaren quotes that dont clarify who hes talking about. He loved the characters in the game. Bill's preparation was meticulous and involved a lot of card-play. Bill believed in sportsmanship - shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. 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. This refers to Springbok Mark Andrews and Scotlands Doddie Weir competing for the ball in the lineout. 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. He served with the Royal Artillery in Italy during the Second World War,[2] including the Battle of Monte Cassino. He was the player who won 16 caps for Wales and captained his country on six occasions before retiring from international rugby union aged 27. 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. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, Hawick pays tribute to its most famous son, BBC Archive: Commentary gold with Bill McLaren, Trump mistrial request denied in NY rape lawsuit, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, US rock band Aerosmith announce farewell tour, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, DeSantis-backed board votes to countersue Disney, Father tells how gunman opened fire on Texas home, Street piano confiscated as public 'break rules', NFL player's daughter, aged two, drowns in pool, Russia launches missile attacks on Ukraine. Butler later became a published author. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many. I just love this quote. However, Gibbs was also renowned as a hard-tackling machine. Now think of those gangly steps when under the influence of a particular illegal substance! I think McLaren is saying that hed quickly lay bricks to build a wall as a defense. His funeral took place on 25 January at Teviot Church in Hawick, followed by a private burial at the town's Wellogate Cemetery after his hearse was applauded through the town of Hawick by hundreds of well-wishers who lined the streets to pay their respects. It is not being overly melancholic to say that the Six Nations Championship has never seemed quite the same since McLaren retired. I think it might be easier to tackle a snooker table than Lomu. Victor Ubogo who was capped for England 24 times between 1992 and 1999. 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. 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. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Heres a list of great McLaren quotes without any commentary. John Beattie | 16:53 UK time, Tuesday, 19 January 2010. Born in Newport, south-east Wales, Butler was a first-generation public schoolboy and a first generation Welshman. Butler was born on 8 May 1957. [2] Contents Early life Scotland always won. He was so effective that he displaced Will Carling from the test team. And given the stamp he put on so many of Wales most glorious post-war rugby moments, McLaren may well be missed almost as much in Wales as he will be in Scotland, not to mention the world over. He had a unique way to take an interest in every international player and making you feel so important when he bumped into you. 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. *Im no hod carrier but Id be laying bricks if he was running at me (description of Jonah Lomu). Hence the description of the run-away giraffe. You will be inspired! Craig Quinnell was a giant (and I mean giant) lock. Our previous quotes have generally referred to a single individual. In 2000 Bill and Bette lost their daughter Janie to cancer. Not just a Scottish rugby legend, Bill McLaren is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. It simply did not matter. It hurt him just before his retirement in 2002 that he was once denied access to an Australian training session. Most Scotsmen would have been dejected, but he didnt show it.. This is how it sounds when McLaren says cow. It doesnt have to be someone who actually heard Bill. Three ofthe five died. Tell a coach or teacher. Appointed CBE in 2003, he is survived by Bette and his daughter Linda. He was renowned for his jerky sidestep that he executed at high speed. *I was there (at Twickenham) in 1938 when Scotland won 28-16. Butler. Its similar to a coo kicking over a milk pail. You'll see why. Here is McLaren on two sturdy brothers who were giants of Welsh rugby in more ways than one. Lets just say that like all the best props, Ubugo had a substantial posterior. Ive still got the fictional reports I used to write when I was a wee boy of seven or eight. 138KG of prime South African beef referring to the Springboks heaviest player ever, Flippie van der Merwe. [2] In 1953, he made his national debut for BBC Radio, covering Scotland's 120 loss to Wales. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It was nothing personal. Im no hod-carrier but I would be laying bricks if he was running at me. These included Murray Walker (motor racing/Formula One), Peter O'Sullevan (horse racing), Harry Carpenter (boxing and rowing), Dan Maskell (tennis), David Coleman (athletics), Peter Alliss (golf) and John Arlott (cricket). A recreation of the office will act as a centrepiece of an exhibition to celebrate Bill's centenary. He went on the first two of those tours. The late great, Bill McLaren was simply the world's best rugby commentator ever. No one will ever evoke the spirit of Rugby like Bill. The WRU said it will remember Bill McLaren at the Wales v Scotland match at the Millennium Stadium on February 13, though it had yet to decide how. Murray Watson is going through Bill's vast archive ahead of this autumn's exhibition. However, he said it was fair to describe the room as "chaotic" and added: "It was an absolute tip. Here is McLaren watching two locks leaping to take the ball in a lineout. 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. Heres a quote that probably needs a translation for a non-Scottish audience: He hoists his breeks, does a little shammy shammy. Fri 10th Feb @PrestonfieldHH Get your tickets today!! There was also an internet campaign last year to give McLaren, from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, a knighthood for his work. Re carpet slippers hes right. Davies scored twenty tries in 46 tests, an impressive feat both then and now. Former Wales hooker Bobby Windsor called him nothing but a gentleman of the game and said he was the voice of rugby. However, when it comes to monster kicks, there can be only Welsh rugby player worthy of that giant-sized accolade. I think the jink is dying in modern rugby certainly the Welsh are trying to keep it alive lets hope its never lost. Commentators today cannot match the wit and the speed of his comments. sidestep 3 men in a phonebox? Bill McLaren followed the likes of Peter O'Sullevan, John Arlott, Harry Carpenter and Murray Walker into retirement and a generation of BBC commentators had finally fallen silent. This quote aptly describes most days when I watch the All Blacks take on my national team. 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.. A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: Bill McLaren is Welsh. The twins and two more brothers did all play together for their club. Bill believed passionately in sportsmanship. BBC Rewind pays tribute to legendary commentator Bill McLaren who became known as "the voice of rugby". Winger Simon Geoghegan who was capped 37 times for Ireland between 1991 and 1996. However, this is nothing new. 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. The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. His nickname was Pine Tree. Phill Bennetts club was Llanelli (part of which would morph into the Scarlets in the professional era). During the exhibition at Hawick Museum, thousands of previously unseen artefacts and photographs will help tell Bill's story from his early years, through his playing career and into his military service during World War Two. Prosser realised that Butler, with his analytical, calmer approach to the game, could bring something extra to his side, and by 1979 the great Wales coach Carwyn Jones was canvassing for the 21-year-old Butler to be captain of the Wales B team. With the cameras trained on his face, the Scotsman yelled out his frustration. McLaren is describing the kicker action. Ubogo was a burly prop who could shift around the field. But by the time his international career was over in 1984, the No 8 had become slightly disillusioned with life in the goldfish-bowl of Welsh rugby. [1] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many. Perhaps it was the . His spirit lives on here in this blog and in The Bill McLaren Foundation. His nickname was Car Crash for his effect on the opposition ball carrier! They are different. 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Invite us to tell stories in your school or club. New Zealand radio . Sidestep in a phonebox was referring to Robert Jones (Welsh scrum half). Tackling like a car crash Here is McLaren on Scott Gibbs, a burly Welsh center who switched successfully between rugby league and rugby union. Butler became a published author in 2014. 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. This week Ollie Campbell (Ireland & Lions fly half) told me that just the mention of Bill McLarens name brings great memories gushing back. McLaren, now in his 86th year, lives quietly at his home in Hawick, in the beautiful Scottish borders. The place-kicking routines of some modern fly halves may seem to be increasingly odd and elaborate. This refers to Jim Renwick, a Scottish center who was capped 52 times for Scotland (from 1972 to 84). 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. Loading interface. Read about our approach to external linking. Born in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, in 1923, McLaren started out as a player and made the Hawick first XV prior to the Second World War, during which he served with the Royal Artillery. Orwhen some of his former pupils, suchas Jim Renwick, Colin Deans orTony Stanger, scored for Scotland. The suggestion was that Waless leader was not passionate enough. When he hits you, you think the roof has just fallen in. think of a trout leaping up a stream. Fri Feb 3 2023 - 10:29. He was particularly renowned for his place kicking which won plenty of games for his country. In this case, McLaren is referring to the entire Springbok pack. 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. With one of his daughters, Nell, he was raising money for prostate cancer on the hike to Machu Picchu. He played in the second row and captained New Zealand eleven times. My proof is McLarens commentary his shimmy shammy is a perfect description of those twitches. His voice came to represent rugby in the same way Murray Walkers did motor racing and Peter OSullevans horse racing. (This usually doesnt end up well for the catcher!). There is another more coarse use of the term laying bricks which could also apply at the sight of Lomu charging towards you.
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