A blithe spirit. A will o’ the wisp Welshman who once darted, dodged, and danced about the rugby field worldwide with consummate ease. A generous, kindly man who, in the Seventies, gave generously of his time to help raise funds for the upkeep of the St.Helens RU club at Moss Lane. A tireless supporter who assisted Cowley School in their fundraising for their groundbreaking rugby tours of South America, Australia, and elsewhere. An inspirational leader of BBC TV’s Sports’ Outside Broadcasts who could forsake the hospitality suite at Wembley before kick off to the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, thread his way through the endless miles of corridors at the famous venue, risk life and limb by ascending to the commentary box nestling in the rafters of the old stadium and, while patting yours truly on the back, wish me well with the match commentary.

Such a man was Cliff Morgan, once a small, pacy half back but a giant on and off the pitch.

Cliff, whose recent death at the age of 83 saddened many in both codes of rugby, will always be remembered by most for his outstanding sidestepping performances for Wales and the British Lions in the Fifties. But at the beginning of a new rugby season for Liverpool St.Helens FC I would recommend that many of us who knew Cliff recall him for his carefree and joyous attitude to rugby and life.

When he appointed me as the BBC’s man to take over the rugby league commentaries from the legendary Eddie Waring he offered me the following advice, ”Ray, fifty per cent of the viewers will love you and fifty per cent of the viewers will hate you. And that’s before they even switch on their TV sets! That’s a good ratio for a commentator. Never worry!” And whenever I spoke about rugby with him, League or Union, he would frequently insist, ”Always remember, Ray, it’s only a game.”

How true! and that’s how all of our teams at Moss Lane should approach their rugby this season. Put everything into our efforts on and off the field, show dedication to the cause, but, at the end of the day, always remember that, “it’s only a game”.

So enjoy it, on and off the pitch.     

Ray French,

September 2013

Cliff Morgan 1930 - 2013