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 almost jumped to his left and right without changing speed. His unique contribution to the commentators art has been applauded by both his peers and listeners alike the world over.. During his final commentary, Wales v Scotland in 2002, the crowd sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and one Welsh supporter displayed a banner claiming "Bill McLaren is Welsh". Something went wrong, please try again later. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phra Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. No matter what it was you couldnt wait to hear what he had to say whenever he said that! [2] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many.[3]. *Theyll be simply chuffed to bits down at. Youll find some lists of McLaren quotes that dont clarify who hes talking about. He was unbiased, clear . 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. He found the vitriol among supporters and the media in Wales over the top for then amateur sportsmen. McLaren was married to Bette, with whom he had two daughters Linda (born 1952) and Janie (born 1954, died 2000). McLaren, from Hawick in the Borders, was known as the "voice of rugby" and died . This is unusual (Australias John Eales is the only other one I can think of). 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 . 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.. McLaren lived in Hawick with wife Bette, who he met on a blind date at in the towns hall in 1947. Throughout his distinguished career he earned . He would then resume his consultation of his match chart, a mass of tiny notes in many colours, before, at kick-off, turning his back on us. 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. 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. 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. Butler took over from McLaren as the BBCs senior commentator in 2002. Scott had a longer career at the top end of international rugby. Oct 20 Celebrate what would have been Bill's 100th year with fantastic company & storytelling from @JiffyRugby & @MrAndrewCotter, plus special guests! Hes like Bambi on speed. What a description of one of Irelands greatest wingers. They both go up like two pieces of white bread in a pop-up toaster. A hod carrier is someone who works on a building site and carries a pile of bricks on something that looks like a shovel. He saw no evil and spoke no evil. That feared Welsh team of the seventies won three Grand Slams, with Davies tearing up the wing in each of them. The study of the "voice of rugby" was where match-day preparations took place during his 50-year career. Eddie went to Monmouth school, on the border of England and Wales, an institution reluctant to select players for Wales school sides. 2023 BBC. Read about our approach to external linking. [9], In later life, McLaren contracted Alzheimer's; he had been renowned for his excellent memory.[10]. (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. 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. There is another more coarse use of the term laying bricks which could also apply at the sight of Lomu charging towards you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Theres the Quinnell brothers, two well-nourished individuals. A burn is a stream i.e. However, this is nothing new. 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. [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 always you can unsubscribe at any time. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? Join us to celebrate what would have been Bill's 100th year with this fantastic line up: Welsh rugby legend and Bill's former commentary box colleague JONATHAN DAVIES and pitch p . His spirit lives on here in this blog and in The Bill McLaren Foundation. Its seven years now since the man with the golden voice finally laid down his famous microphone. The Late Great Bill McLaren did! I think hes muttering a few naughty Hawick words. But his impartiality was never questioned. So I think the wall is the correct interpretation. 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His smaller brother Scott was three inches shorter but with a similar frame. Calder also captained the Lions on tour to Australia in 1989. Matt Williams. Craig Quinnell was a giant (and I mean giant) lock. Ive already described Doddie Weir in the previous quote. 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. At 63, Meads wasnt particularly tall. The suggestion was that Waless leader was not passionate enough. He was a forward spotter deep in hostile territory, often on his own, identifying enemy targets and relaying the information back to his unit. Lets just say that like all the best props, Ubugo had a substantial posterior. His nickname was Car Crash for his effect on the opposition ball carrier! Definitely one of the Welsh greats from that era think Id go for Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies or the phenomenal Phil Bennett. This refers to Scottish fullback Gavin Hastings. Let's see if you can match the quote to the player or coach! The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. At the East Fortune sanatorium inEast Lothian, he was selected as one offive patients to take part in trials for anew antibiotic, streptomycin. He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. I was desperately ill and fading fast when the specialist asked five of us to be guinea pigs for a new drug called Streptomycin, McLaren said in 2001. 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. Renwick was also a placekicker, although not the usual first-choice kicker for his country. He became more famous once his playing days were over for his work as a broadcaster, journalist and novelist. "We have around 10,000 items of fan mail and we could only find one that had a complaint.". 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. A look back at the glorious career of the BBC's world-renowned rugby commentator Bill McLaren, who passed away in January 2010 at the age of 86.John Inverdal. All 60 Of The Best quotes are categorised as follows: Celebrations x 1; Fisticuffs x 3; Tough Guys x 5; Big Boys x15; Running x 12; Passing x 1; Kicking x 10; Jumping x 4; Weather x 2; Absolute Classic McLaren x 5; Looking Back x 2 Encouraging students x 1; Sportsmanship x 1. From his first marriage, to Jennifer Jones, Butler had three children, Rebecca, Hannah and Jack. Here is McLaren watching a lock forward making a break up the field. No one will ever evoke the spirit of Rugby like Bill. He was awarded an MBE in 1992, an OBE in 1995 and a CBE in the 2003 honours list. McLaren, now in his 86th year, lives quietly at his home in Hawick, in the beautiful Scottish borders. He knew it meant that the opposition feared him. "And he was loved for his knowledge as well as his humour. Here is McLaren watching two locks leaping to take the ball in a lineout. In the Cambridge team, Butler brought a physical edge to a pack coached by the former Scotland international Ian Robertson, who was also to become a well-known rugby voice on the BBC. When they get going, its like watching cattle stampede, huge fellows who thunder about the paddock like mad rhinos. @Rich am not sure could be Jones, or @Brendan could be Phil Bennet or Gerald Davies who could also jink. Dinner plates cant clasp a ball. See more. (c) Find someone who loves rugbyand send this link as a surprise gift (birthday, Christmas or any time just because you love them).
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