Drusilla Perry Eckersley, 82, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024. She was joyfully reunited with her husband of 40 years, Dave Eckersley. Funeral servi
FIFTY years ago today, on 15 May 1971, Leigh went to Wembley for their first and only time. And although they went down to London as massive underdogs, Alex Murphy’s marvels emerged victorious with a 24-7 win over Leeds. Leigh, guided around the field by the mercurial Murphy and with a pack fired up by loose forward Peter Smethurst, were always in control. And although Leeds skipper Syd Hynes found infamy for being the first man to be sent off in a Wembley final for butting Murphy 15 minutes from time, the red and white ribbons were already on the magnificent old trophy.
LAST Friday saw the passing of one of the most popular characters on the rugby league scene at the age of 71 after a long illness. Alan Gwilliam, whose first name was Joseph, was a pupil at St Anselms School and a product of the famous nursery at Blackbrook ARLFC. He turned professional with the Saints on 28th September 1971, when the club had just celebrated their second consecutive Championship success. He made his debut soon afterwards, when he came off the bench against Batley, in a 35-5 victory at Knowsley Road on 25th October. Although Alan was essentially a scrum-half, he could fill in at centre, as well as in the halves and he was utilised off the bench on 15 occasions during his 47 appearances for the seniors. A really tough customer, his best season was in 1973-74, when he made 25 appearances and scored 6 tries. He became a valuable squad member, especially when scrum-half Ken Kelly was transferred to Bradford Northern in 1973.
Alan Gwilliam, left, helping out his Warrington teammate Ken Kelly in defence in 1979 WARRINGTON Wolves stars of the 1970s and 1960s have died within days of each other over the past week. Alan Gwilliam, 71, who scored the winning try for The Wire against Australia at Wilderspool in 1978, and Martin Dickens, 85, a hooker whose brother Tommy also played for the club, each made over 100 appearances in primrose and blue. Gwilliam, who hailed from St Helens, where his brother Ken also played professional rugby league, enjoyed two cup wins with Warrington in the 1980-81 season. He partnered Ken Kelly in the halves as The Wire defeated second division Wigan 26-10 in the Lancashire Cup Final at Knowsley Road, St Helens.