Bernard McGurrin
Bernard McGurrin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 July 1933 Wigan, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 20 December 2024 (aged 91) |
| Occupation | Professional rugby league footballer |
| Years active | 1950s–1960s |
| Known for | Rugby league player for Leigh, Wigan, Rochdale Hornets; captain of Rochdale Hornets |
Bernard McGurrin (12 July 1933 – 20 December 2024) was a distinguished English professional rugby league player whose career spanned the 1950s and 1960s. He represented a combined squad of Oldham and Rochdale Hornets and competed at club level for Leigh, Wigan, also serving as captain for the Rochdale Hornets while playing as a , or .
Background
Born in Wigan, Lancashire, England on 12 July 1933, McGurrin entered into marriage with Mary E. Sinclair in Wigan in 1955. Together, they had children, including Bernard McGurrin (born 1957), who played rugby league for Leigh's A-Team during the 1970s, and Angela McGurrin (born 1960). Bernard McGurrin passed away on 20 December 2024 at the age of 91.
Challenge Cup Final appearances
McGurrin contributed to Wigan's triumph with a 13–9 win against Workington Town in the 1958 Challenge Cup Final held at Wembley Stadium, London, on 10 May 1958, during the 1957–58 season. The match attracted an audience of 66,109.
County Cup Final appearances
He occupied the loose forward position for Wigan in their narrow 8–13 loss to Oldham during the 1957–58 Lancashire Cup Final at Station Road, Swinton on 19 October 1957, witnessed by 42,497 spectators.
Notable tour matches
On 4 September 1961, McGurrin played as loose forward for a joint team composed of Oldham and Rochdale Hornets, securing a 10–8 victory over the visiting New Zealand side at Watersheddings, Oldham, before an audience of 8,795.
Club career
McGurrin made his first appearance for Wigan as a on 3 December 1955 in a narrow 17–14 win over Workington Town at Central Park, Wigan. He recorded his inaugural try for Wigan against the Widnes team on 14 January 1956, and scored his final try versus Wakefield Trinity on 3 January 1959. His concluding game for Wigan took place on the same day, resulting in a 22–5 victory over Wakefield Trinity at Central Park.