Bill McLaren
Bill McLaren MBE, OBE, CBE, (born 1923) is a Scottish former rugby union commentator, known as 'the voice of rugby', renowned the world over until his retirement in 2002.
Early life
McLaren was born in Hawick in 1923 and grew up to be a talented flanker. He made the Hawick first XV before serving with the Royal Artillery in Italy during the Second World War. He played in a Scotland trial in 1947 and was on the verge of a full international cap when he contracted tuberculosis which nearly killed him and forced him to give up playing. He spent 19 months in a sanitarium before being given an experimental drug which saved his life.
Career
McLaren studied Physical Education in Aberdeen, and went on to teach Physical Education in different schools in Hawick right through to 1987, coaching several players who went on to play for Scotland - Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger.
It was through his junior reporting with the Hawick Express that he launched himself into a career of commentary, making his national debut for BBC Radio in 1953, when Scotland were beaten 12-0 by Wales.
The switch to television came six years later. Recognition of his services came in November 2001, when he became the first non-international to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. He was also awarded a CBE in 2002.
McLaren belongs to the great pantheon of post-war commentators who came through BBC radio to television in its infancy - Murray Walker (motor racing), Peter O'Sullevan (horse racing), Harry Carpenter (boxing and rowing), Dan Maskell (tennis), David Coleman (athletics), Peter Allis (golf) and John Arlott (cricket).
Personal Life
Mclaren is married to Bette and lives in Hawick in the Scottish Borders.
Mclaren's son-in-law is former Scotland rugby scum half Alan Lawson.
Mclaren has five grandchildren, including Scotland rugby scrum half Rory Lawson, Edinburgh rugby professional Jim Thompson and Scottish media entrepreneur Alex Thompson.
See also
External links
- Bill McLaren: the voice of Rugby Union - BBC report
- A reluctant legend - Nigel Starmer-Smith pays tribute to his colleague
- McLaren says Lions coach's selection a 'huge insult' - The Scotsman, April 12, 2005