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{{Short description|Irish rugby international (1934–2023)}}
{{Distinguish|Syd Miller (rugby union)}}
{{Distinguish|Syd Miller (rugby union)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Syd Millar
| name = Syd Millar
|honorific_suffix = [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]]
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]]
|image =
| image = Syd Millar.jpg
|office = Chairman of the [[International Rugby Board]]
| office = Chairman of the [[International Rugby Board]]
|leader =
| leader =
|term_start = 2003
| term_start = 2003
|term_end = 2007
| term_end = 2007
|deputy = Silas Nkanunu<br />Bob Tuckey<ref>{{cite web |title=Tuckey elected vice chairman of IRB |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/53147.html |website=ESPN Scrum |date=7 April 2004}}</ref>
| deputy = Silas Nkanunu<br />Bob Tuckey<ref>{{cite web |title=Tuckey elected vice chairman of IRB |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/53147.html |website=ESPN Scrum |date=7 April 2004}}</ref>
|predecessor = [[Vernon Pugh]]
| predecessor = Vernon Pugh
|successor = [[Bernard Lapasset]]
| successor = [[Bernard Lapasset]]
|office2 = Vice-chairman of the [[International Rugby Board|IRB]]
| office2 = Vice-chairman of the [[International Rugby Board|IRB]]
|term_start2 = 16 September 2002
| term_start2 = 16 September 2002
|term_end2 = 31 December 2003
| term_end2 = 31 December 2003
|predecessor2 = Rob Fisher
| predecessor2 = Rob Fisher
|successor2 = Silas Nkanunu<ref>{{cite web |title=Millar elected IRB chairman |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/49986.html |website=ESPN Scrum |date=19 November 2003}}</ref>
| successor2 = Silas Nkanunu<ref>{{cite web |title=Millar elected IRB chairman |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/49986.html |website=ESPN Scrum |date=19 November 2003}}</ref>
⚫
| module = {{Infobox rugby biography
|module=
| embed = yes
⚫
{{Infobox rugby biography |embed=yes
| name = <!--Syd Millar -->
| name = <!--Syd Millar -->
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name = Sydney Millar<ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Belfast/issue/6670/supplement/3749/data.pdf 'Birthday Honours List – Northern Ireland']. ''Belfast Gazette'', 10 June 2005. Retrieved 12 December 2023</ref>
| birth_name = John Sydney Millar
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1934|5|23}}
| nickname =
⚫
| birth_place = [[Ballymena]], Northern Ireland
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1934|5|23}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2023|12|10|1934|5|23}}
⚫
| birth_place = [[Ballymena]], [[Northern Ireland]]
| death_place =
⚫
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|100|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
⚫
| weight = {{convert|100|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| ru_position = Prop
| position = Prop
| ru_amateuryears = 1950–1972<br />1957–65, 67–71<br />1959–1971
| amatyears1 = 1950–1972
| ru_amateurclubs = [[Ballymena RFC|Ballymena]]<ref name=hof-2009/> <br />[[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]<ref name=hof-2009/><br />[[Barbarians F.C.]]<ref name=baabaa-profile/>
| amatyears2 = 1957–65, 67–71
⚫
| ru_amupdate =
| amatyears3 = 1959–1971
⚫
| ru_nationalteam = [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]]<br />[[British and Irish Lions]]
⚫
| amatteam1 = [[Ballymena RFC|Ballymena]]<ref name=hof-2009/>
| ru_nationalyears = 1958–1970<br />1959–1968
| amatteam2 = [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]<ref name=hof-2009/>
| ru_nationalcaps = 37<br />9
| amatteam3 = [[Barbarians F.C.]]<ref name=baabaa-profile/>
| ru_nationalpoints = (0)<br />(0)
⚫
| ru_amupdate =
| ru_ntupdate =
⚫
| repteam1 = [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]]
| ru_clubyears =
| repteam2 = [[British and Irish Lions]]
| ru_proclubs =
| repyears1 = 1958–1970
| ru_clubcaps =
| repyears2 = 1959–1968
| ru_clubpoints =
| ru_clubupdate =
| repcaps1 = 37
| ru_currentclub =
| repcaps2 = 9
| reppoints1 = 0
| ru_province =
| reppoints2 = 0
| ru_provinceyears =
| ru_provincecaps =
| ru_ntupdate =
| ru_provincepoints =
| years1 =
| apps1 =
⚫
| ru_provinceupdate =
| occupation =
| points1 =
| spouse =
| ru_clubupdate =
| ru_currentclub =
| children =
| province1 =
⚫
| school = [[Ballymena Academy]]
| provinceyears1 =
⚫
| university = Belfast Nautical College
| provinceapps1 =
⚫
| coachyears1 = 1973–1975
| provincepoints1 =
⚫
| coachteams1 = [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]]<ref name=hof-2009/>
⚫
| ru_provinceupdate =
⚫
| coachyears2 = 1974
⚫
| school = [[Ballymena Academy]]
⚫
| coachteams2 = [[British and Irish Lions]]<ref name=hof-2009/>
⚫
| university = Belfast Nautical College
⚫
| coachyears1 = 1973–1975
⚫
| coachteams1 = [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]]<ref name=hof-2009/>
⚫
| coachyears2 = 1974
| coachteams2 = [[British and Irish Lions]]<ref name=hof-2009/>
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''John Sydney Millar''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CBE}}<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/4081544.stm "Rugby chief Millar awarded a CBE"]</ref> (23 May 1934 – December 2023) was a former [[rugby union]] prop from [[Northern Ireland]] who played international rugby for [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] and the [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/ireland/rugby/player/6256.html |title=Syd Millar player profile |publisher=espnscrum.com | access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> After retiring from playing rugby he became a rugby coach and later a rugby administrator. He became chairman of the [[Irish Rugby Union]] in 1995, and from 2003 until 2007 was the chairman of the [[International Rugby Board]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7138048.stm |title=A Millar's Tale |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 December 2007| access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref>
'''Sydney Millar''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CBE}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/4081544.stm|title=Rugby chief Millar awarded a CBE|date=10 June 2005|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> (23 May 1934 – 10 December 2023) was a Northern Irish [[rugby union]] prop who played for [[Ballymena RFC]] and [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] and international rugby for [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] and the [[British and Irish Lions|British Lions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/ireland/rugby/player/6256.html |title=Syd Millar player profile |publisher=espnscrum.com | access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> After retiring from playing rugby he became a rugby coach and a rugby administrator. He became chairman of the [[Irish Rugby Union]] in 1995 and from 2003 until 2007 was chairman of the [[International Rugby Board]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7138048.stm |title=A Millar's Tale |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 December 2007| access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> Former Lions captain [[Willie John McBride]] stated that Millar had given "his whole life to the game".<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67680362.amp 'Syd Millar: Ireland and Lions legend 'gave his whole life to the game' - McBride']. BBC Sport, 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Syd Millar was born in [[Ballymena]] in Northern Ireland, the eldest of 6 children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.world.rugby/news/24813?lang=en|title = 2009 Inductee: Syd Millar &#124; World Rugby}}</ref> He spent a period away as a sea cadet.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-7e8BQAAQBAJ&q=syd+millar+lions&pg=PT158|title = Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions|isbn = 9780857905291|last1 = Jones|first1 = Stephen|last2 = English|first2 = Tom|last3 = Cain|first3 = Nick|last4 = Barnes|first4 = David|date = 6 October 2013}}</ref>
Millar was born in [[Ballymena]] in Northern Ireland, the eldest of six children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.world.rugby/news/24813?lang=en|title = 2009 Inductee: Syd Millar &#124; World Rugby}}</ref> He spent a period away as a sea cadet.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-7e8BQAAQBAJ&q=syd+millar+lions&pg=PT158|title = Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions|isbn = 9780857905291|last1 = Jones|first1 = Stephen|last2 = English|first2 = Tom|last3 = Cain|first3 = Nick|last4 = Barnes|first4 = David|date = 6 October 2013| publisher=Birlinn }}</ref>


==Rugby==
==Rugby==
⚫
Millar played at outside-half at school.<ref name="world.rugby">{{Cite web|url=https://www.world.rugby/news/24813|title = 2009 Inductee: Syd Millar &#124; World Rugby}}</ref> A highly technical prop, he focused on the set-piece and could play on either side of the scrum at the highest level.<ref name="rugbyworld.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/rugby-positions/looseheads/syd-millar-66498|title = John 'Syd' Millar|date = 17 August 2016}}</ref>

⚫
Millar played at outside-half at school.<ref name="world.rugby">{{Cite web|url=https://www.world.rugby/news/24813|title = 2009 Inductee: Syd Millar &#124; World Rugby}}</ref> A highly technical prop, he focused on the set-piece and could play on either side of the scrum.<ref name="rugbyworld.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/rugby-positions/looseheads/syd-millar-66498|title = John 'Syd' Millar|date = 17 August 2016}}</ref>


===Playing career===
===Playing career===
He played for his home town club, [[Ballymena RFC]].
Millar played for his home town club, [[Ballymena RFC]].


He first played for [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] in 1958, and went on to win 37 caps as a prop. This included a 4-year gap when he was out of favour. His last international was in 1970.<ref name="rugbyworld.com"/>
Millar first played for [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] in 1958 and went on to win 37 caps as a prop. This included a four-year gap when he was out of favour. His last international was in 1970.<ref name="rugbyworld.com"/>


He played 39 games for the [[British and Irish Lions]], including 9 internationals, on 3 tours. Although tighthead was said to be his preference, he packed down at loosehead in both the 1959 and 1962 Lions series. He also played on the 1968 tour.<ref name="rugbyworld.com"/>
Millar played 39 games for the [[British and Irish Lions]], including 9 internationals, on 3 tours. Although tighthead was said to be his preference, he packed down at loosehead in both the 1959 and 1962 Lions series. He also played on the 1968 tour.<ref name="rugbyworld.com"/>


He also appeared 10 times for the [[Barbarians (rugby)|Barbarians]], including a win over the 1961 South African team.<ref name="world.rugby"/>
Millar also appeared 10 times for the [[Barbarians (rugby)|Barbarians]], including a win over the 1961 South African team.<ref name="world.rugby"/>


===Coach===
===Coach===
Line 83: Line 89:
Millar used information from ex-pats he knew in South Africa in his preparation.<ref>Chapter 8, Lions of Ireland, David Walmsley</ref>
Millar used information from ex-pats he knew in South Africa in his preparation.<ref>Chapter 8, Lions of Ireland, David Walmsley</ref>


Terry O’Connor (rugby writer) has said: “In my view Millar has always been under-rated as a coach and overshadowed by Carwyn James who was in charge of the 1971 team. Both rank among the world’s best and brought different qualities to their work. James was a visionary about back play but accepted that his forward knowledge at Test level was limited. Millar has proved over the years a master of forward tactics and in 1974 forged the finest pack ever to visit South Africa.”<ref name="world.rugby"/>
Terry O’Connor (rugby writer) said: “In my view Millar has always been under-rated as a coach and overshadowed by Carwyn James who was in charge of the 1971 team. Both rank among the world’s best and brought different qualities to their work. James was a visionary about back play but accepted that his forward knowledge at Test level was limited. Millar has proved over the years a master of forward tactics and in 1974 forged the finest pack ever to visit South Africa.”<ref name="world.rugby"/>


===Manager===
===Manager===
Line 89: Line 95:


===Administrator===
===Administrator===
Millar became the president of the Ulster Rugby Union in 1985,{{sfn|McKinney|2012|page=102}} and was appointed as one of the representatives of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to the IRB Council in 1992.<ref name = espn-2002/> He became president of the IRFU in 1995,{{sfn|McKinney|2012|page=102}} and was also chairman of the [[British and Irish Lions]] from 1999 to 2002.
Millar became the president of the Ulster Rugby Union in 1985,{{sfn|McKinney|2012|page=102}} and was appointed one of the representatives of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to the IRB Council in 1992.<ref name = espn-2002/> He became president of the IRFU in 1995,{{sfn|McKinney|2012|page=102}} and was also chairman of the [[British and Irish Lions]] from 1999 to 2002.

⚫
He was appointed IRB vice-chairman on 16 September 2002, replacing New Zealander Rob Fisher. He took on the role of interim chairman after the death of Vernon Pugh in 2003.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/apr/26/guardianobituaries.sport Vernon Pugh] The Guardian. 26 April 2003.</ref>

⚫
Millar was elected as the IRB chairman in late 2003 to a four-year term commencing in 2004. He presided over a governance restructure and new strategic plan for the IRB, and was influential in the continued lobbying for [[Rugby union at the Summer Olympics#Efforts for re-inclusion|Rugby sevens inclusion in the Summer Olympics]]. He stepped down from his posts at the IRB and the IRFU following the [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007 World Cup]] and was succeeded as by [[Bernard Lapasset]].<ref>[http://www.theworldgames.org/news/news-of-the-world-games/287-rugby--changes-president Rugby: Changes President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219112141/http://www.theworldgames.org/news/news-of-the-world-games/287-rugby--changes-president |date=2015-02-19 }} World Games Association. 2007.</ref>


==Personal life and death==
⚫
In 2002 the IRB Chairman Vernon Pugh became seriously ill.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2245739.stm Rugby chief treated for cancer]. 9 September 2002. BBC.</ref> Millar was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Board of the IRB on 16 September 2002, replacing New Zealander Rob Fisher. He took on the role of interim chairman after the death of Pugh in 2003.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/apr/26/guardianobituaries.sport Vernon Pugh] The Guardian. 26 April 2003.</ref>
Millar was married and had a daughter Lesley and sons Peter and Johnny.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/tributes-flood-in-for-titan-of-rugby-after-former-ulster-ireland-and-lions-star-syd-millar-dies-aged-89/a234113004.html|title=Tributes flood in for 'titan of rugby' after former Ulster, Ireland and Lions star Syd Millar dies aged 89|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk |date=10 December 2023|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/rugby/syd-millar-tributes-paid-ballymena-28265572|title=Tributes paid as Ballymena, Ulster, Ireland and Lions rugby legend passes away|first=Michael|last=Scully|date=10 December 2023|website=Belfast Live}}</ref> He missed the birth of Peter, later an Ulster, Ireland and [[Barbarian FC|Barbarians]] prop, because he was on tour.<ref>"I think my wife felt I'd deserted her." p141, Behind The Lions, Stephen Jones, 2021, ISBN 1909715441</ref>


Syd Millar died on 10 December 2023, at the age of 89.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/12/10/news/tributes_paid_to_rugby_colossus_syd_millar_following_death_at_89-3838928/|title=Tributes paid to Irish rugby 'titan' Syd Millar following death at 89|first=Paul|last=Ainsworth|date=10 December 2023|website=The Irish News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/tributes-flood-in-for-titan-of-rugby-after-former-ulster-ireland-and-lions-star-syd-millar-dies-aged-89/a234113004.html|title=Tributes flood in for 'titan of rugby' after former Ulster, Ireland and Lions star Syd Millar dies aged 89|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk |date=10 December 2023|via=m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
⚫
Millar was elected as the IRB chairman in late 2003 to a four-year term commencing in 2004. He presided over a governance restructure and new strategic plan for the IRB, and was influential in the continued lobbying for [[Rugby union at the Summer Olympics#Efforts for re-inclusion|Rugby sevens inclusion in the Summer Olympics]]. He stepped down from his posts at the IRB and the IRFU following the [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007 World Cup]], and was succeeded as IRB chairman by [[Bernard Lapasset]].<ref>[http://www.theworldgames.org/news/news-of-the-world-games/287-rugby--changes-president Rugby: Changes President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219112141/http://www.theworldgames.org/news/news-of-the-world-games/287-rugby--changes-president |date=2015-02-19 }} World Games Association. 2007.</ref>


==Honours==
==Honours==
Line 100: Line 111:
Millar was awarded the [[Honorary Degree]] of [[Doctor of Science]] by the [[University of Ulster]] in 1992,<ref name= bbc-2005/> and was inducted into the [[International Rugby Hall of Fame]] in 2003. He was made a [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] in 2005 having previously been appointed MBE.<ref name= bbc-2005>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/4081544.stm Rugby chief Millar awarded a CBE] BBC. 10 June 2005.</ref>
Millar was awarded the [[Honorary Degree]] of [[Doctor of Science]] by the [[University of Ulster]] in 1992,<ref name= bbc-2005/> and was inducted into the [[International Rugby Hall of Fame]] in 2003. He was made a [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] in 2005 having previously been appointed MBE.<ref name= bbc-2005>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/4081544.stm Rugby chief Millar awarded a CBE] BBC. 10 June 2005.</ref>


On 12 December 2007 Millar was appointed to the [[Légion d'honneur]], France's highest decoration, at a ceremony in Ballymena Rugby Club, by [[Bernard Lapasset]], his successor as IRB Chairman.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7141429.stm "Millar receives French Accolade"]</ref>
On 12 December 2007, Millar was appointed to the [[Légion d'honneur]], France's highest decoration, at a ceremony in Ballymena Rugby Club, by [[Bernard Lapasset]], his successor as IRB Chairman.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/7141429.stm|title=Millar receives French accolade|date=12 December 2007|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>


In 2009 he was inducted into the [[International Rugby Hall of Fame]]. Gavin Mairs (rugby writer) said: ”Millar’s contribution to rugby football has been nothing short of phenomenal – from player, coach, manager and lately world class administrator who presided over two outstanding Rugby World Cups and leaves the Game well equipped to continue its global expansion in the professional era.”<ref name="world.rugby"/>
In 2009 he was inducted into the [[International Rugby Hall of Fame]]. Gavin Mairs (rugby writer) said: ”Millar’s contribution to rugby football has been nothing short of phenomenal – from player, coach, manager and lately world-class administrator who presided over two outstanding Rugby World Cups and leaves the Game well equipped to continue its global expansion in the professional era.”<ref name="world.rugby"/>


In 2016 he won the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service award.
In 2016 he won the [[Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service]].


==References==
==References==
Line 145: Line 156:
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|year= 2012
|year= 2012
|first= Stewart |last1= McKinney
|first1= Stewart |last1= McKinney
|title= Roars From the Back of the Bus
|title= Roars From the Back of the Bus
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kyY5pS5sHr8C
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kyY5pS5sHr8C
Line 158: Line 169:


{{British and Irish Lions 1959}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1959}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1962}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1968}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1968}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1974}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1974}}
Line 164: Line 176:
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:People from Ballymena]]
[[Category:Irish rugby union administrators]]
[[Category:Irish rugby union administrators]]
[[Category:Irish rugby union coaches]]
[[Category:Irish rugby union coaches]]
Line 175: Line 186:
[[Category:British & Irish Lions coaches]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions coaches]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Ballymena]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Ballymena]]
[[Category:Rugby union props]]
[[Category:Rugby union props]]
⚫
[[Category:People educated at Ballymena Academy]]

Latest revision as of 20:43, 9 November 2024

Not to be confused with Syd Miller (rugby union).

Syd Millar
CBE
Chairman of the International Rugby Board
In office
2003–2007
DeputySilas Nkanunu
Bob Tuckey[1]
Preceded byVernon Pugh
Succeeded byBernard Lapasset
Vice-chairman of the IRB
In office
16 September 2002 – 31 December 2003
Preceded byRob Fisher
Succeeded bySilas Nkanunu[2]
Birth nameSydney Millar[3]
Date of birth(1934-05-23)23 May 1934
Place of birthBallymena, Northern Ireland
Date of death10 December 2023(2023-12-10) (aged 89)
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight100 kg (15 st 10 lb; 220 lb)
SchoolBallymena Academy
UniversityBelfast Nautical College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1950–1972 Ballymena[4] ()
1957–65, 67–71 Ulster[4] ()
1959–1971 Barbarians F.C.[5] ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1958–1970 Ireland 37 (0)
1959–1968 British and Irish Lions 9 (0)
Coaching career
Years Team
1973–1975 Ireland[4]
1974 British and Irish Lions[4]

Sydney Millar CBE[6] (23 May 1934 – 10 December 2023) was a Northern Irish rugby union prop who played for Ballymena RFC and Ulster and international rugby for Ireland and the British Lions.[7] After retiring from playing rugby he became a rugby coach and a rugby administrator. He became chairman of the Irish Rugby Union in 1995 and from 2003 until 2007 was chairman of the International Rugby Board.[8] Former Lions captain Willie John McBride stated that Millar had given "his whole life to the game".[9]

Early life

[edit]

Millar was born in Ballymena in Northern Ireland, the eldest of six children.[10] He spent a period away as a sea cadet.[11]

Rugby

[edit]

Millar played at outside-half at school.[12] A highly technical prop, he focused on the set-piece and could play on either side of the scrum at the highest level.[13]

Playing career

[edit]

Millar played for his home town club, Ballymena RFC.

Millar first played for Ireland in 1958 and went on to win 37 caps as a prop. This included a four-year gap when he was out of favour. His last international was in 1970.[13]

Millar played 39 games for the British and Irish Lions, including 9 internationals, on 3 tours. Although tighthead was said to be his preference, he packed down at loosehead in both the 1959 and 1962 Lions series. He also played on the 1968 tour.[13]

Millar also appeared 10 times for the Barbarians, including a win over the 1961 South African team.[12]

Coach

[edit]

Millar coached the hugely successful Lions tour to South Africa in 1974. According to Ian McGeechan, Millar was pivotal to the success of the tour.[14]

Millar used information from ex-pats he knew in South Africa in his preparation.[15]

Terry O’Connor (rugby writer) said: “In my view Millar has always been under-rated as a coach and overshadowed by Carwyn James who was in charge of the 1971 team. Both rank among the world’s best and brought different qualities to their work. James was a visionary about back play but accepted that his forward knowledge at Test level was limited. Millar has proved over the years a master of forward tactics and in 1974 forged the finest pack ever to visit South Africa.”[12]

Manager

[edit]

Millar managed the Lions tour to South Africa in 1980. He was the manager of the Irish national side at the 1987 World Cup.

Administrator

[edit]

Millar became the president of the Ulster Rugby Union in 1985,[16] and was appointed one of the representatives of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to the IRB Council in 1992.[17] He became president of the IRFU in 1995,[16] and was also chairman of the British and Irish Lions from 1999 to 2002.

He was appointed IRB vice-chairman on 16 September 2002, replacing New Zealander Rob Fisher. He took on the role of interim chairman after the death of Vernon Pugh in 2003.[18]

Millar was elected as the IRB chairman in late 2003 to a four-year term commencing in 2004. He presided over a governance restructure and new strategic plan for the IRB, and was influential in the continued lobbying for Rugby sevens inclusion in the Summer Olympics. He stepped down from his posts at the IRB and the IRFU following the 2007 World Cup and was succeeded as by Bernard Lapasset.[19]

Personal life and death

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Millar was married and had a daughter Lesley and sons Peter and Johnny.[20][21] He missed the birth of Peter, later an Ulster, Ireland and Barbarians prop, because he was on tour.[22]

Syd Millar died on 10 December 2023, at the age of 89.[23][24]

Honours

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On 20 May 2004 he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Ballymena.[25]

Millar was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Ulster in 1992,[26] and was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2003. He was made a CBE in 2005 having previously been appointed MBE.[26]

On 12 December 2007, Millar was appointed to the Légion d'honneur, France's highest decoration, at a ceremony in Ballymena Rugby Club, by Bernard Lapasset, his successor as IRB Chairman.[27]

In 2009 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. Gavin Mairs (rugby writer) said: ”Millar’s contribution to rugby football has been nothing short of phenomenal – from player, coach, manager and lately world-class administrator who presided over two outstanding Rugby World Cups and leaves the Game well equipped to continue its global expansion in the professional era.”[12]

In 2016 he won the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service.

References

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  1. ^ "Tuckey elected vice chairman of IRB". ESPN Scrum. 7 April 2004.
  2. ^ "Millar elected IRB chairman". ESPN Scrum. 19 November 2003.
  3. ^ 'Birthday Honours List – Northern Ireland'. Belfast Gazette, 10 June 2005. Retrieved 12 December 2023
  4. ^ a b c d "Hall of Fame 2009 Inductee: Syd Millar". World Rugby. 27 October 2009. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  5. ^ "Player Archive - S. Millar". Barbarian F.C. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Rugby chief Millar awarded a CBE". 10 June 2005 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Syd Millar player profile". espnscrum.com. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  8. ^ "A Millar's Tale". BBC Sport. 11 December 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  9. ^ 'Syd Millar: Ireland and Lions legend 'gave his whole life to the game' - McBride'. BBC Sport, 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023
  10. ^ "2009 Inductee: Syd Millar | World Rugby".
  11. ^ Jones, Stephen; English, Tom; Cain, Nick; Barnes, David (6 October 2013). Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions. Birlinn. ISBN 9780857905291.
  12. ^ a b c d "2009 Inductee: Syd Millar | World Rugby".
  13. ^ a b c "John 'Syd' Millar". 17 August 2016.
  14. ^ "Syd was an outstanding character, hugely influential. Big, direct, fierce and intelligent, he knew how to deal with us players as people; he was very open." Lion Man,Ian McGeechan
  15. ^ Chapter 8, Lions of Ireland, David Walmsley
  16. ^ a b McKinney 2012, p. 102.
  17. ^ "Millar appointed IRB vice chairman". ESPN Scrum. 16 September 2002. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  18. ^ Vernon Pugh The Guardian. 26 April 2003.
  19. ^ Rugby: Changes President Archived 2015-02-19 at the Wayback Machine World Games Association. 2007.
  20. ^ "Tributes flood in for 'titan of rugby' after former Ulster, Ireland and Lions star Syd Millar dies aged 89". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 10 December 2023 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  21. ^ Scully, Michael (10 December 2023). "Tributes paid as Ballymena, Ulster, Ireland and Lions rugby legend passes away". Belfast Live.
  22. ^ "I think my wife felt I'd deserted her." p141, Behind The Lions, Stephen Jones, 2021, ISBN 1909715441
  23. ^ Ainsworth, Paul (10 December 2023). "Tributes paid to Irish rugby 'titan' Syd Millar following death at 89". The Irish News.
  24. ^ "Tributes flood in for 'titan of rugby' after former Ulster, Ireland and Lions star Syd Millar dies aged 89". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 10 December 2023 – via m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  25. ^ "FREEDOM HONOUR FOR SYD - Ballymena Times". Archived from the original on 7 October 2015.
  26. ^ a b Rugby chief Millar awarded a CBE BBC. 10 June 2005.
  27. ^ "Millar receives French accolade". 12 December 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

Bibliography

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