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. The big Blackpool policeman standing like a lighthouse at the back of the lineout. There wont be the same amusing phrases, the vivid descriptions of players and locations from the contemporary commentators. If youre not familiar with Celtic culture theres a notion that if you catch a tiny magical creature, it will grant you a wish. Born in Newport, south-east Wales, Butler was a first-generation public schoolboy and a first generation Welshman. Butler, who played 16 times for Wales and was called up as a replacement for the Lions in New Zealand in 1983, was a tireless charity fundraiser. 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. While he convalesced, he began to commentate on table tennis for hospital radio. Bill McLaren obituary | Rugby union | The Guardian Definitely one of the Welsh greats from that era think Id go for Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies or the phenomenal Phil Bennett. Brown was a forward who took the place kicks. Its similar to a coo kicking over a milk pail. 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. The place-kicking routines of some modern fly halves may seem to be increasingly odd and elaborate. 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. 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. In the modern defensive game, locks are less likely to make breaks. 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. I was certain I would be next. BBC Archive: Commentary gold with Bill McLaren - BBC Sport England was leading with minutes to go, and Gibbs took a pass from his teammate and cut back inside to get over the line. This refers to Jim Renwick, a Scottish center who was capped 52 times for Scotland (from 1972 to 84). The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. They are different. The Welsh golden age ofthe 1970s would not have been so gilded without the soundtrack of Bill to the exploits ofGareth Edwards. This refers to Wade Dooley who was a policeman who walked the beat in the seaside town of Blackpool. 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). But McLaren isnt too impressed with the flankers ball-handling skills! But McLaren was delighted and provided his listening audience with helpful commentary as to what was going on. 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. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Here is McLaren on one of the greatest players in the history of the sport: I look at Colin Meads and see a great big sheep farmer who carried the ball in his hands as though it was an orange pip. Well, no dancing in the streets of Hawick tonight but Scotland were unlucky to lose by a 14 pt margin. Windsor said: The biggest fear with him was when he finishes how do we replace him? The beloved commentator sadly passed away in 2010 but his legacy will live on forever. They both go up like two pieces of white bread in a pop-up toaster. No matter what it was you couldnt wait to hear what he had to say whenever he said that! 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. He was awarded an MBE in 1992, an OBE in 1995 and a CBE in the 2003 honours list. Here is McLaren watching defenders bouncing off legendary All Black winger Jonah Lomu. Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones, 37, said McLaren was famous for dispensing Hawick balls Scottish butter mint sweets to everyone he met. 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. Of course, it was never said quite like he would have said it himself, in his honeyed, Borders burr, tinged with the impishness that suggested that none of this was tobe taken too seriously. During a career with the BBC which spanned almost 50 years, McLaren became the most famous and respected commentator in the game. With one of his daughters, Nell, he was raising money for prostate cancer on the hike to Machu Picchu. [2], McLaren's journalistic career started as a junior reporter with the Hawick Express. 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. The twins and two more brothers did all play together for their club. If you want to know more about who hes talking about and what he actually means, read through the later sections of this article. The quote comes from McLaren watching Hastings preparation before a place kick. See more. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and a memorable turn of phrase endeared him to all rugby fans. Its seven years now since the man with the golden voice finally laid down his famous microphone. (c) Find someone who loves rugbyand send this link as a surprise gift (birthday, Christmas or any time just because you love them). Bill McLaren was a legendary commentator on rugby matches. Eddie Butler: The remarkable life of the 'voice of rugby' See also my TEDx Talk: How Sportsmanship Can Change The World. 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. Which brings us to the next quote. His running action could look a little ungainly. The Quinnell name is famous in Welsh rugby. His unique descriptions and authoritive voice added so much excitement, intrigue and enthral. Here is McLaren on a tall lock from the amateur era who also happened to be a copper. Bill McLaren - The Telegraph 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. He was also very fast. Bill believed in sportsmanship - shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. 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. Eddie Butler obituary | Rugby union | The Guardian The 58-year-old, who works as a commentator for S4C, said: He was wonderful to me in the sense that I was on the bench for Gareth all that time, but he made me feel just as important as if Id been playing. All rights reserved. Im a little unsure on how to unpack this quote. This week we continue with Big Boys. His career included winning the 1995 World Cup. He was selected for the British and Irish Lions in 1967, 1971, and 1974. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? @Rich am not sure could be Jones, or @Brendan could be Phil Bennet or Gerald Davies who could also jink. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Monmouth, though, knew they had a real talent long before their pupil went to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, to read French and Spanish (1976-79). William Pollock "Bill" McLaren, CBE (16 October 1923 - 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. Here is McLaren watching two locks leaping to take the ball in a lineout. It was said that Bill McLaren, whohas died aged 86, was the voice ofrugby. You will be inspired! The image would haunt him for the rest of his days. On Phil Bennett: "They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him [Phil Bennett] you get to make a wish." 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 . His sidestep was marvelous, like a shaft of lightning. Regarding He could sidestep 3 men in a telephone box would this be a welsh wizard, Barry John? "And he was loved for his knowledge as well as his humour. They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him you get to make a wish. [12][13][14], On 11 March 2010, thousands of people attended a memorial celebration of Bill McLaren's life held at Murrayfield Stadium in the week leading up to that year's Calcutta Cup match which was played at the stadium. 60 Of The Best - Great Quotes from the late great Bill McLaren (part 2 [2] He coached several Hawick youngsters who went on to play for Scotland, including Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger. He famously ran down the field and barged through giant Springbok prop Os Du Randt. [2] Contents Early life Bill McLaren | Military Wiki | Fandom He was a pivotal part of the Pontypool side that was created by Ray Prosser and dominated Welsh club rugby in the late 1970s and early 1980s, captaining the side between 1982 and 1985. [2] He switched to television commentary six years later. HIS 50 years behind the microphone led to his reputation as "the voice of rugby". He played golf every day, come hail or shine, with his wife, Bette, whom he met at a local hop in 1947. About the author Bill McLaren 11 books2 followers There was no audio, but you didnt need to speak Scots to lip-read that he was saying something that rhymed with rucking hell. He had a twin brother Jim who also played for Scotland and toured with the Lions (New Zealand in 1983). 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. 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I think the jink is dying in modern rugby certainly the Welsh are trying to keep it alive lets hope its never lost. 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. 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".