My Wire
by George Shingler
My memories of the Wire which I prefer to call them as opposed to Wolves are numerous and nostalgic, but one particular episode stands out for me because it involved my Father who passed away fifty years ago.
Dad watched the Wire in his youth during the Jackie Fish era when Jackie was reputed to be the finest wingman to ever grace the Wilderspool turf. His name was spoken with reverence by the Wire supporters, and to make it even better he was a local lad.
Not for many years had Dad watched a game of Rugby League but I would always give him a summary of the games I attended and sing Bevs praises when appropriate which was often. He would also read the match reports each week in the Warrington Guardian and Examiner with interest. He would always comment to me after reading that all the hype being written about Brian Bevan must surely be exaggerated and in no way could he be compared to the late Jackie Fish. He said that one day he would go to Wilderspool and make comparisons for himself.
That day arrived on Easter Monday 1948 when I decided to take him along to watch the game against Leigh, it was a nice day weather-wise and to make matters more interesting Leigh were playing their new acquisition Jim Ledgard the well renowned International Full Back and they were naturally expecting a great game from him.
We were positioned behind the sticks at the clock end of the ground and as the team emerged from the tunnel to the stunning “March of the Gladiators” being played over the tannoy system as was the norm in those days, some Leigh supporters turned to us and voiced “YOUR MAN BEVAN WON’T SCORE TODAY AGAINST JIM LEDGARD”. Dad asked me if I agreed but me not wishing to make any predictions for I was aware of Jim Ledgard’s reputation as a great full back I just said “Let’s wait and see”.
To cut a long story short the great Bev did Warrington and me proud that day and ran in 7 Trys, at one point during the game Dad asked me what all the cheering was for that was resounding round the ground. I pointed to Bev placing the ball under the sticks for one of his tries. Blimey Dad said a second ago he was at the half way line and I blinked and here he is under the sticks. He changed his mind very quickly did Dad during that game as to who was the better wingman, “Fish or Bev” it was without doubt no contest – BEV WON HANDS DOWN.
To rub salt in the wound still further roe Leigh Jim Ledgard was carried off the Park on a stretcher after attempting to stop Brian in full flight during one of his try making runs. “THE WIZARD OF AUS HAD SURELY ARRIVED”
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