Rugby - Bill McLaren, RIP
Posted by: JWM on 19 January 2010
Deserves his own thread imho.
The death has been announced of the great Bill McLaren, aged 86.
Certainly the definitive voice, and for me he has to be the very best rugby commentator the game has ever seen.
Dedicated, committed, well-researched, a wonderful knowledge of all aspects of rugby and never lost for a quip, always delivered in that memorable border dialect.
Aye, they'll be toasting his memory with a dram or two up in Hawick tonight!
Lovely tribute on the BBC website sports page.
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by shoot6x7
His commentary of games is one of the things I miss about England ...
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Mike-B
RIP Bill
His commentary sets the standard still to be achieved today
From the same list of greats as John Arlott & Brian Johnston
Don't make 'em like that any more
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Huwge
Some nice stuff over on the BBC website and a genuine tear in my eye. A wee dram will be raised tonight
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by BigH47
Unique talent. RIP.
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Bruce Woodhouse
An iconic voice.
Passionate but even handed as a commentator.
Bruce
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by deadlifter
IT certainly does bring a tear to your eye watching those tributes and it is always a voice with character like his that you want to be listening to when describing an epic game like the ones shown in the tributes, what a try from the welsh though, man that was brilliant. If you are listening to the radio with no access to the tv the voice describing the game can make it even more exciting than watching the television
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by graham55
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
An iconic voice.
Passionate but even handed as a commentator.
Bruce
Indeed, Bruce, he was a proud Scot, but always scrupulously fair when commentating, putting today's rabble to shame. Just compare him with, for example, Brian Moore, who seems to think that he's paid by the BBC to be a cheerleader for England. And he's not the worst!
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Chillkram
Well played Bill.
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Exiled Highlander
A tear in the eye indeed after watching that excellent BBC website tribute. RIP Bill.
Jim
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by David Scott
I don't normally join in these threads, but for Bill I'll make an exception. A fantastic man. God bless him.
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by David Scott
By the way - I had to put this in a separate post out of respect for Bill - I don't get the thing about Brian Moore being biased. And I'm Scottish.
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by Guido Fawkes
RIP Bill - very sad news
Posted on: 20 January 2010 by Bruce Woodhouse
Brian Moore gives it out agaisnt the English fairly freely, I think he is reasonably even-handedly odious to all the teams. Well, perhaps not the French...and footballers...
Bruce
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by JonR
Bill McLaren - pretty good he was.
Brian Moore - I think he's great. Unbiased but can whinge for England alright!
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by northpole
He was certainly a hugely contributing influence to my sitting down to watch five (now six) nations rugby. I didn't really understand the rugby but Bill McLaren had a fantastic ability to grab hold of you, make you sit on the edge of your seat and live the match. In a completely unbiased way. A true gentleman and an incredible, irreplaceable talent.
Peter
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by Christopher_M
I was at a game last night. At one point, as a back hoisted the ball high into the night sky, I could hear Bill's voice saying 'and when that comes down, it'll have snow on it'.
Thank you Bill.
Chris
