In Memoriam: Bernard McGurrin : Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:25 pm
It is with great sadness that Wigan Warriors learned of the passing of former player Bernard McGurrin.Bernard McGurrin was born in Wigan on 12 July 1933 and was initially spotted by Leigh when playing for local Wigan amateurs, Worsley Boys Club.
Bernard made his debut for Leigh on 28 March 1953 against Hunslet playing in the centre position. Although Leigh lost the game 8-3, Bernard scored on his debut and received a Leigh Heritage Number 630.
Bernard played 44 games for Leigh scoring 17 Tries before he signed for his hometown club Wigan in 1955 where he went on to play 88 games, scoring 27 tries, and totalling 81 points.
Bernard made his First Team debut for Wigan against Workington Town at Central Park on December 3 1955 a game Wigan won 17-14. On making his debut, Bernard McGurrin earned his unique Wigan Heritage Number 567.
Bernard’s only major honour and perhaps his finest hour in a cherry and white shirt came in the 1958 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley when he was a late replacement for Roy Evans. Ironically in that final, Wigan beat the team McGurrin made his debut against, Workington Town, 13-9, with tries from Mick Sullivan, John Barton, and Brian McTigue with Jackie Cunliffe kicking two goals.
Bernard played in Wigan’s Lancashire Cup Final defeat by Oldham on 19 October 1957 at Station Road, Swinton.
Bernard’s last game for Wigan was again at Central Park against Wakefield Trinity. Bernard again appeared on the scoresheet when he managed to score a try in a 22-5 win on 3 January 1959, Billy Boston, Bill Bretherton, and Norman Cherrington were the other try scores with Fred “Punchy” Griffiths kicking five goals.
After leaving Wigan, Bernard McGurrin signed for Rochdale Hornets and captained the team from 1959 to 1961 and finally Warrington when he retired from the game.
Many locals will remember Bernard becoming the landlord of The Bird Public House in Ince.
Bernard had another notable statistic to his career when he played loose forward in a combined Oldham & Rochdale Hornets team in the 10–8 victory over New Zealand in the 1961 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France match at Watersheddings, Oldham on Monday 4 September 1961, in front of a crowd of 8,795.
Before his sad passing, Bernard was Wigan’s oldest surviving player and one of two survivors from that 1958 Challenge Cup Final alongside the legendary Billy Boston.
Wigan Warriors send their deepest condolences to Bernard’s family and friends at this sad time.
