Brian McTigue
Encyclopedia
Brian McTigue 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 debut 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 debut against Australia in 1958 and toured twice.
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 Award. He was in all four Wigan sides that went to Wembley in the sixties, an collected a third winners’ medal when they beat Hunslet in 1965. After more than 400 matches, his long association with the club ended in 1966-7. He moved to Blackpool Borough but played only one more game before going to Australia to coach Bathurst. He later returned to Wigan to work.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional Rugby League World Cup
Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by members of the Rugby League International Federation . It has been held nearly once every 4 years on average since its inaugural tournament in France in 1954...
winning footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He is a Wigan RL Hall of Fame
Wigan RL Hall of Fame
The Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame honours outstanding players who have played for the Wigan Warriors and been integral to the club's success from its foundation in 1872 to the present...
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 debut 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 debut against Australia in 1958 and toured twice.
Brian McTigue's Testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
at Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
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 Award. He was in all four Wigan sides that went to Wembley in the sixties, an collected a third winners’ medal when they beat Hunslet in 1965. After more than 400 matches, his long association with the club ended in 1966-7. He moved to Blackpool Borough but played only one more game before going to Australia to coach Bathurst. He later returned to Wigan to work.