Until his retirement in 2002, he was known as 'the voice of rugby'. New on @Playing_Pasts today A DRAGON AMONGST 'LIONS'! We were honoured when Bills daughter, Linda, wrote a beautiful piece for last weeks post. "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. In this case, McLaren is referring to the entire Springbok pack. A hod carrier is someone who works on a building site and carries a pile of bricks on something that looks like a shovel. This refers to the rather large and burly Doddie Weir, an outstanding Scottish lock. Bill McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. McLaren would have chuckled at that notion, but the love of rugby in Wales was something he always . Last weeks 15 Quotes from Bill covered Celebrations, Fisticuffs, Tough Guys & some Big Boys. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. #TheVoiceOfRugby #BillMcLaren #JonathanDavies #AndrewCotter Murray added: "Bill was like the Wikipedia of rugby, long before there was Wikipedia. In McLarens 2005 autobiography he talked frankly about the greatest tragedy of his life: the death of his younger daughter, Janie, from cancer at 46, the three years of agony and the trauma of her final day. He almost jumped to his left and right without changing speed. 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. The Welsh golden age ofthe 1970s would not have been so gilded without the soundtrack of Bill to the exploits ofGareth Edwards. Loading interface. His career included winning the 1995 World Cup. [1] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many. The Voice Of Rugby by Bill McLaren | Goodreads Butler became a published author in 2014. Bill McLaren - Wikipedia Eddie Butler: The remarkable life of the 'voice of rugby' 1953 was his first appearance on national radio and he went on . [2], McLaren's journalistic career started as a junior reporter with the Hawick Express. He saw no evil and spoke no evil. 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. Here are the next 15 unique quotes from Bill McLaren: On French forward, Cristian Califano, built like a bicycle shed, And theres Beaumont in that English scrum looking like a man who enjoys his food , Theres a few stone o Border beef in that scrum, There goes 18 stones of prime Scottish beef on the hoof (anyone know who Bill is referring to here?). Eddie Butler (rugby union) - Wikipedia [5], McLaren studied Physical Education in Aberdeen, and went on to teach PE in different schools throughout Scotland right through to 1987. Bill McLaren was the best rugby commentator of all time and one of the best men the world has ever seen. Comments. He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. Tell us your story. It troubled him that he was not by her side when she died, but Janie had ordered him to the commentary box. Geoghegan was one of my favorite players in the early nineties, and I think McLaren describes him fairly well! He was capped 15 times for the All Blacks between 1972 and 1977. Sidestep in a phonebox was referring to Robert Jones (Welsh scrum half). The couple famously used to play 18 holes of golf together every day. [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. "It was full of books, newspaper cuttings, magazines and videos - there were three piles of videos from floor to ceiling. He was renowned for his turns of phrase. [3] Early life [ edit] 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. 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. You may also know him as a top blazer in World Rugby. 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. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. The late great, Bill McLaren was simply the world's best rugby commentator ever. 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. Brown also captained Scotland ten times, including three victories over England. 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. Historians in Hawick are working through thousands of books, videos and clippings in a bid to recreate Bill McLaren's "chaotic" research room. Gerald Davies was capped for Wales as a centre in 1966. McLaren was married to Bette, with whom he had two daughters Linda (born 1952) and Janie (born 1954, died 2000). "We have around 10,000 items of fan mail and we could only find one that had a complaint.". The camera chose to focus on his rear at this moment. After captaining Pontypool between 1982 and 1985, Butler had a brief spell as a press and publicity officer at Radio Wales before beginning a career in newspaper journalism with the shortlived Sunday Correspondent (1989-90) and later the Observer and Guardian, before also returning to the BBC as a journalist. He found the vitriol among supporters and the media in Wales over the top for then amateur sportsmen. [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. In his teenage years, McLaren grew up to be a useful flank forward. Meanwhile, scroll down to choose a story categorised by a country or a sport. [9], In later life, McLaren contracted Alzheimer's; he had been renowned for his excellent memory.[10]. Windsor said: The biggest fear with him was when he finishes how do we replace him? Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. HIS 50 years behind the microphone led to his reputation as the voice of rugby. Heres another interesting fact about Finlay. 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. But in that same year he contracted tuberculosis, and so began the second fight for his life. 60 Of The Best - Great Quotes from the late great Bill McLaren (part 2 Heres a list of great McLaren quotes without any commentary. Phil Bennet was a renowned Welsh flyhalf from the 1970s. William Pollock McLaren, teacher and rugby commentator, born 16 October 1923; died 19 January 2010, BBC sports commentator and 'the voice of rugby union' for nearly 50 years, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Renwick sent the ball sailing wide. Here is McLaren watching a kicker for Hawick Harlequins who is furious with himself for missing a penalty kick. Matt Williams: Warren Gatland factor makes Wales a real threat to I think hes muttering a few naughty Hawick words. [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. When he was discharged, he supplemented his work as a PE teacher with rugby reports for the Hawick Express, and was recommended from there to the BBC, joining the corporation in 1953. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many. *Hes like a raging bull with a bad head. McLaren is describing the kicker action. 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". Hence the description of the run-away giraffe. In November 2001, McLaren became the first non-international to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. Scott played at centre and was bigger than most players at that level. Breeks are breeches. His sidestep was marvelous, like a shaft of lightning. The Quinnell name is famous in Welsh rugby. Pity they couldnt get over for that second try. He was just a lovely, lovely man and I was privileged to have worked with him and more importantly to have met him.. McLaren would have chuckled at that notion, but the love of rugby in Wales was something he always compared to his native Scottish border country. With one of his daughters, Nell, he was raising money for prostate cancer on the hike to Machu Picchu. 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. BILL McLaren will be remembered simply as the voice of rugby. 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. Historian Murray Watson said he had spent two years going through 30,000 different items from the room. Theres the Quinnell brothers, two well-nourished individuals. His first commentary was made while recovering from TB, describing table tennis matches for the hospital radio. [5] While in the hospital, he began his broadcasting career, by commenting on table tennis games on the hospital radio. Keep up to date with the latest stories with our WalesOnline newsletter. The Late Great Bill McLaren did! Eddies mother, Margaret (nee Asplen), was a Londoner and later the couple ran a guesthouse in Raglan, Monmouthshire. McLaren, from Hawick in the Borders, was known as the "voice of rugby" and died . This week Ollie Campbell (Ireland & Lions fly half) told me that just the mention of Bill McLarens name brings great memories gushing back. 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. add Bill McLaren to 'my astro' Biography Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby union player. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He decided to leave well alone, since it seemed to improve his grip on his clubs. 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. On Victor Ubogus behind England v South Africa. 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. His nickname was Pine Tree. 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. It hurt him just before his retirement in 2002 that he was once denied access to an Australian training session. Bill McLaren was a legendary commentator on rugby matches. The Bill McLaren Foundation on Twitter Bill Mclaren Quotes Part 1 includes quotes about Celebrations; Fisticuffs; Tough Guys; Big Guys and also a beautiful piece written by Bills daughter, Linda, specifically for us. The beloved commentator sadly passed away in 2010 but his legacy will live . Ruck.co.uk: the leading rugby union news and content network delivering you the latest news, views and all the moves in Rugby Union. Bill McLaren, a gentleman with passion and a rare gift for description. was described as being like a siege gun.., I recall that Bill M often used the phrase now did ye notice.. when he was getting comment from Beaumont and referred to modern rugby boots as carpet slippers .Brings back such fond memories of watching 5 nations as it was then with my old man..priceless. Phill Bennetts club was Llanelli (part of which would morph into the Scarlets in the professional era). The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. All rights reserved. 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. Classic phrases from commentator Bill McLaren - The Independent This is unusual (Australias John Eales is the only other one I can think of). McLaren, now in his 86th year, lives quietly at his home in Hawick, in the beautiful Scottish borders. 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. Bennets got his first cap for Wales when he came on as a substitute for an injured teammate. Tell a friend. A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: "Bill McLaren is Welsh". With the cameras trained on his face, the Scotsman yelled out his frustration. 15 of the best quotes from the 'Voice of Rugby' Bill McLaren 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. If youre not familiar with Celtic culture theres a notion that if you catch a tiny magical creature, it will grant you a wish. Share our stories. Bill McLaren - The Telegraph Ubogo was a burly prop who could shift around the field. This article gives you the quotes., who hes referring to, and an explanation. Bill McLaren gathered thousands of items relating to the game during his years as a commentator, Bill McLaren was considered by many to be the "voice of rugby" during his long commentating career. But his impartiality was never questioned. England was leading with minutes to go, and Gibbs took a pass from his teammate and cut back inside to get over the line. It is not being overly melancholic to say that the Six Nations Championship has never seemed quite the same since McLaren retired. In this case, the kicker is Peter Brown, who played 27 times for Scotland between 1964 and 73. 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. 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. But McLaren was clearly of the opinion that the lock was well-nourished! The image would haunt him for the rest of his days. They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him you get to make a wish. It was said that Bill McLaren, whohas died aged 86, was the voice ofrugby. 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. WRU chairman and former Wales captain David Pickering called him a legendary broadcaster and a thorough professional. This week we continue with Big Boys. 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It simply did not matter. So I think the wall is the correct interpretation. If there was violence, itwas never anything more than "brief shenanigans", and nobody ever kicked a ball badly, but merely made it look abit like one of Bill's own "scruffy nineirons". Derek Quinnell played for Wales but this quote refers to two of his sons. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. 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. New Zealand radio . Anyone else know for sure who Bill was referring to when he said He could sidestep 3 men in a telephone box ? There was also an internet campaign last year to give McLaren, from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, a knighthood for his work. 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. This is the greatest Wales rugby team of all time and these are the This refers to Springbok Mark Andrews and Scotlands Doddie Weir competing for the ball in the lineout. 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. Over the. The great man from Hawick thrilled both radio and television listeners for almost half a century as a national broadcaster before retiring back in 2002. You'll see why. on Twitter: "New on @Playing_Pasts My proof is McLarens commentary his shimmy shammy is a perfect description of those twitches. Rugby lost its true voice on Tuesday when much-loved and respected Scottish commentator Bill McLaren passed away at the age of 86. Become an ambassador (looks good on your CV). *My goodness, that wee balls gone so high therell be snow on it when it comes down. There wont be the same amusing phrases, the vivid descriptions of players and locations from the contemporary commentators. William Henry Thomas, the forgotten Welsh Hero of 1888 by @Wil94831317Bill April 23 2023 marks 135 years . *And its a try by Hika the hooker from Ngongotaha (Wales v New Zealand 1980). 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. Im no hod-carrier but I would be laying bricks if he was running at me. Sadly, McLaren, known as 'the voice of rugby' for his brilliant BBC commentaries, had died earlier in the . Some of his finest broadcasting work came in the form of montages and voiceovers during the London Olympics of 2012. He was renowned for his jerky sidestep that he executed at high speed. Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones, 37, said McLaren was famous for dispensing Hawick balls Scottish butter mint sweets to everyone he met. A burn is a stream i.e. This weekend, like any other when the Six Nations Championship is being held, he will watch the matches from television at his home. 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. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Classic phrases from commentator Bill McLaren, Up to 30% off + free delivery with Nike promo codes for members, 20% off selected orders with this Footasylum discount code, 20% off your order - New Balance discount code, Extra 15% selected orders 80+ with this Go Outdoors discount code, 20% off everything with this Sweaty Betty discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK April 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this April, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. 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. We searched and searched for images of the player and came up with a few grainy, jerky frames that stood in stark contrast to Bill's sharp recollections. That teammate was winger Gerald Davies. 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. During a career with the BBC which spanned almost 50 years, McLaren became the most famous and respected commentator in the game. *Would ye like a Hawick ball, son ? 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. But McLaren was never a coarse man! He loved the characters in the game. The experience would later colour Butlers journalism in print particularly he was sympathetic to the players plying their rough trade. It doesnt have to be someone who actually heard Bill. think of a trout leaping up a stream. Let's see if you can match the quote to the player or coach! 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Scottish rugby union player, sports broadcaster & journalist, Scottish rugby commentators and journalists, "Tributes paid to woman behind Hawick's voice of rugby, Bill McLaren, after his widow Bette dies at 93", Vale Bill McLaren, we'll never see your like again, "Book review: Rugby's Greatest Heroes And Entertainers, by Bill McLaren", Bill McLaren: Scotland's legendary voice of rugby mourned across world The Scotsman, "Bill McLaren, the 'voice of rugby', dies aged 86", "Hundreds gather for funeral of Bill McLaren, the voice of rugby", "Characters from centre stage gather again to say last farewell to Bill McLaren", "Thousands gather at Murrayfield to pay tribute to Bill McLaren 'the voice of rugby', "Bill McLaren statue to be unveiled at Murrayfield", "Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees 2010", "Legends inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame at Rugby World Cup 2015", Bill McLaren: Legendary 'Voice of Rugby' was a family man above all, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bill_McLaren&oldid=1124949584, Commanders of the Order of the British Empire, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Sports commentating, sports journalism, rugby player, This page was last edited on 1 December 2022, at 11:21.
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