Brian McTigue

Brian McTigue
Personal information
Full name Brian J. McTigue
Nickname The Wizard
Born September quarter 1930[1]
Wigan, Lancashire, England
Died 9 December 1981 (aged 51)[2]
Playing information
Position centre, Blind-side-prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1951–67 Wigan
Blackpool Borough
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Great Britain

Brian McTigue (September quarter 1930 – 9 December 1981) was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s. He is a Wigan RL Hall of Fame member and is considered to be one of the greatest forwards in Great Britain's history.

‘Sheer Wizardry’ often described the distribution skills and sleight of hand of Brian McTigue. He started his Wigan career as a centre, but took his handling skills into the pack where he won many club and international honours.

The sport however, nearly missed the talents of Brian McTigue because boxing was his first love at one time. He was so highly rated that former world champion Joey Maxim invited him to the United States after McTigue had figured in some exhibitions with the American. Fortunately McTigue decided to stick with rugby and, after only five games as a hooker for the Giants Hall Colliery team, Wigan signed him and converted him into a three quarter.

Although he made his début at Oldham in April 1951, he spent the next three years languishing in the 'A' Team. Wigan were prepared to sell him to Oldham but he refused. His patience paid off and, just as it looked as though he was not going to make it, he suddenly shot to prominence.

The rest of his career was nothing but one success after another. He went on to become one the all-time great prop forwards being capped 21 times by Great Britain. He made his Great Britain début against Australia in 1958 and toured twice.

Brian McTigue played Right-prop, i.e. number 10, and scored a try in Wigan's 8-13 defeat by Oldham in the 1957 Lancashire Cup final during the 1957–58 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 19 October 1957.

Brian McTigue's Testimonial match at Wigan took place in 1960.

McTigue also appeared at Wembley that year and score on try in the 13-9 win over Workington Town. He scored another try a year later as Wigan beat Hull and enjoyed one of his own personal great moments as he strode like a colossus through the Hull defence and collected the Lance Todd Trophy. He was in all four Wigan sides that went to Wembley in the 1960s, an collected a third winner's medal when they beat Hunslet in 1965. After more than 400 matches, his long association with the club ended in 1966-67. He moved to Blackpool Borough but played only one more game before going to Australia to coach Bathurst St Patricks. He later returned to Wigan to work.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Brian McTigue played Blind-side-prop (10) in Wigan's 13-9 victory over Workington Town in the 1957–58 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 10 May 1958.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Paul (10 December 1981). "One of the Wigan greats". The Guardian (London). p. 22. (subscription required (help)).
  3. ↑ "1957-1958 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 2011-12-31. Retrieved 2012-01-01.

External links

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