FORMER Warrington Wolves, St Helens and Aberavon rugby star Bobby Wanbon has died while on holiday with his wife Jean in Tenerife.
The 78-year-old duel-code Wales international made a life for himself in Warrington after moving from South Wales to switch from rugby union to rugby league with Saints in 1968.
But he will be fondly remembered on the field, after transferring to The Wire in 1971, for his role in Alex Murphy's abrasive Wire pack, highlights including winning the League Leaders' Shield in the 1972/73 season and the Challenge Cup at Wembley in the 1973/74 campaign.
And while the father-of-one, a bricklayer by trade, made 163 appearances for The Wire before hanging up his boots in 1978, he also became well known for pub tenancy.
From 1977 until 1999 he was behind the bar at various watering holes, starting at The Prince of Wales, moving on to the Old Ball, The Howley, the King and Queen before finishing at the Red Lion in Stockton Heath.
In an interview with Warrington Guardian four years ago, Bobby said: “It’s been a journey and I’ve met some great people along the way."
Mike Nicholas started at Aberavon a year after Wanbon and then took a similar path, leaving South Wales and teaming up again with his hero at Warrington and remaining firm friends while settled in the town for more than 50 years.
“I’m broken hearted. He’s like a big brother to me," said Nicholas, 76.
“I’ve been inundated with calls. It’s touched a lot of people. The response is amazing. But I’m not amazed really because he was such a lovely bloke.
"He started in 1964 at Aberavon, I started in 1965. He took me under his wing really. Wherever I’ve been he’s always been in the background."
A prop or second row in a tough era, Wanbon was a strong runner and particularly potent near the opponents line and he gained eight caps for Wales RL.
Nicholas said: "He did more damage to me than any opposition player.
"Bobby had a long upper body and when he tackled he dropped his upper body across the tackle, and if you came in at the other end you copped a headbutt.
"We went in to tackle Colin Dixon in one game. I got stretchered off, Bobby got 10 stitches and Colin was left standing with the ball.”
Wanbon moved into the professional 13-man game nine days after scoring on his one and only Wales rugby union appearance against England at Twickenham in front of 72,000 fans.
But Wanbon’s dream moment was somewhat tempered by the response to his try.
“What I recall is scoring a try, feeling overjoyed, and getting a right telling-off for it because they had a move on for a drop goal,” he said.
Among other factors, the episode led to Wanbon signing for St Helens for the princely sum of £4,500 nine days later.
He three seasons with Saints before being signed by Warrington.
The Welshman was a key figure in the Warrington pack which dominated the domestic campaign in 1973-74, featuring in the Captain Morgan Trophy Final win against Featherstone, the John Player success against Rochdale, the Challenge Cup Final triumph against Featherstone and the Club Championship Final glory day against St Helens.
Wanbon’s success with The Wire secured a spot in Wales’ first squad to figure in a Rugby League World Cup.
The competition that spanned nine months in 1975 featured the famous game now known as ‘The Battle of Brisbane’.
Wales denied England of a World Cup title, defeating their rivals 12-7 on the day.
Bobby said: “The Battle of Brisbane was one of the greatest moments of my career. We robbed England of the World Cup! If they’d have beaten us they would have won it by a point.”
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