Brian Bevan
Encyclopedia
Brian Eyrl Bevan was a legendary rugby league
winger who scored a world record 796 tries for Warrington RLFC
. He is the only player ever to have been inducted into both the Australian
and British
rugby league Halls of Fame.
player Rick Bevan
, Brian Bevan began his career playing for Easts in 1942. He made 8 appearances for the club, although somewhat ironically, failed to score a try.
. He arrived on board HMAS Australia
in England in 1946. He had with him a letter of recommendation which was written by former Eastern Suburbs Test winger Bill Shankland
. Bevan requested a trial with Leeds
, which was a suggestion from Shankland, but the club decided against signing him partially due to his frail looking appearance. Shankland also recommended he try Hunslet
if Leeds refused to sign him, but once again he was turned down. He decided to try his luck with Warrington
. Warrington decided to give him an 'A' team trial in November in which he scored a try. The club were impressed with his first performance and decided to play him in the first team a week later. The club then decided to sign him on a permanent basis on a £300 contract. He went home for several months to discharge from military service.
In 1946–47, his first season, he scored 48 tries for the club which was 14 tries more than any other player in the league. Within four years at the club he had surpassed the club try scoring record of 215 set by John "Jack" Fish
over thirteen seasons. On five occasions Brian Bevan was the top try scorer in England. His best season for try scoring feats was in 1952–53 when he amassed a total of 72 tries. Only Albert Rosenfeld
has scored more tries in a single season in England. Rosenfeld holds the top two most tries in a season with 78 in 1911–12 and 80 in 1913–14. the 1953–54 season saw him become the highest try scorer in the game's history when he passed the 446 tries mark set by Alf Ellaby
.
In his career in England, Bevan scored a hat-trick of tries or more in a single game 100 times. Twice he scored seven tries in a single game for Warrington, which is still a club record. During his sixteen year career with Warrington he helped the club win the Challenge Cup twice, three RL Championships, a Lancashire Cup and six Lancashire League titles. He played his last game for Warrington on Easter Monday
, 1962. He came out of semi-retirement to play for Blackpool Borough
between 1962–64.
He played for the British Empire XIII
against New Zealand
on Wednesday 23/1/1952 at Stamford Bridge
.
In all he scored an incredible 796 tries in his career in England in all competitive matches (a world record for tries by a rugby player of either code), 740 of which were for Warrington, in 620 appearances (both club records). In 1961 he returned to Australia to play for an Eastern Suburbs seven-a-side competition for Keith Holman
's testimonial.
The 'wing wizard', as he is commonly referred, died in Southport
, Merseyside
, England in 1991, aged 66. Thousands turned up for his memorial service a month later which was held on the pitch at Wilderspool Stadium
which was at the time the home of Warrington RLFC
.
Brian was the brother of Owen 'Ozzy' Bevan who played for Sydney club the St George Dragons as well as Warrington, and is the great uncle of Paul Bevan
who plays Australian rules football
for the Sydney Swans
.
In 1988 Brian Bevan was inducted in to the British Rugby League Hall of Fame
. In September, 2005 he was also inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame
. He is the only player to have been so doubly honoured.
A statue of him was erected in the middle of a roundabout close to Warrington's old Wilderspool ground. This was moved to the club's new ground when they relocated to the Halliwell Jones Stadium
in 2004, which also includes a mural showing Bevan's face made from 'Primrose and Blue' bricks, the traditional Warrington colours.
In February 2008, Bevan was named in a list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players
(1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL
and ARL
to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia.
Bevan went on to be named as one of the wingers, along with Ken Irvine
, in Australian rugby league's Team of the Century
. Announced on 17 April 2008, the team is the panel's majority choice for each of the thirteen starting positions and four interchange players.
He was also featured on a British stamp in 1995, one of a series of five to commemorate the centenary of Rugby League.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
winger who scored a world record 796 tries for Warrington RLFC
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
. He is the only player ever to have been inducted into both the Australian
Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame
The Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame honors players who have shown exceptional skill at rugby league, all-time great coaches and referees, and other major contributors to the game who are Australian...
and British
British Rugby League Hall of Fame
The British Rugby League Hall of Fame was established by the Rugby Football League in 1988 to commemorate the greatest ever players in British rugby league...
rugby league Halls of Fame.
Eastern Suburbs
Son of former Eastern SuburbsSydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
player Rick Bevan
Rick Bevan
Rick Bevan was a rugby league player in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership. He played for the Eastern Suburbs in the 1927 season and is the father of champion winger and Hall of Famer Brian Bevan. Rick Bevan was the Eastern Suburbs club's 171st player....
, Brian Bevan began his career playing for Easts in 1942. He made 8 appearances for the club, although somewhat ironically, failed to score a try.
Warrington
When World War II began, Brian Bevan decided to join the NavyNavy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
. He arrived on board HMAS Australia
HMAS Australia (1927)
HMAS Australia was a County-class heavy cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy . One of two Kent-subclass ships ordered for the RAN in 1924, Australia was laid down in Scotland in 1925, and entered service in 1928...
in England in 1946. He had with him a letter of recommendation which was written by former Eastern Suburbs Test winger Bill Shankland
Bill Shankland
William Shankland was one of Australia's great all-round sportsmen.Shankland was born in Sydney, New South Wales. An accomplished swimmer, boxer and cricketer, Shankland played for the Glebe and Eastern Suburbs clubs in rugby league...
. Bevan requested a trial with Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
, which was a suggestion from Shankland, but the club decided against signing him partially due to his frail looking appearance. Shankland also recommended he try Hunslet
Hunslet Hawks
Hunslet Hawks is a professional rugby league club based in Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England. The club, sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium, are currently champions of Championship One.-History:-Early years:...
if Leeds refused to sign him, but once again he was turned down. He decided to try his luck with Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
. Warrington decided to give him an 'A' team trial in November in which he scored a try. The club were impressed with his first performance and decided to play him in the first team a week later. The club then decided to sign him on a permanent basis on a £300 contract. He went home for several months to discharge from military service.
In 1946–47, his first season, he scored 48 tries for the club which was 14 tries more than any other player in the league. Within four years at the club he had surpassed the club try scoring record of 215 set by John "Jack" Fish
John Fish
John "Jack"/"Jackie" Fish was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1890s and 1900s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e...
over thirteen seasons. On five occasions Brian Bevan was the top try scorer in England. His best season for try scoring feats was in 1952–53 when he amassed a total of 72 tries. Only Albert Rosenfeld
Albert Rosenfeld
Albert Aaron Rosenfeld was a pioneer Australian rugby league footballer, a national representative whose club career was played in Sydney and in England...
has scored more tries in a single season in England. Rosenfeld holds the top two most tries in a season with 78 in 1911–12 and 80 in 1913–14. the 1953–54 season saw him become the highest try scorer in the game's history when he passed the 446 tries mark set by Alf Ellaby
Alf Ellaby
Alf Ellaby was an English rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s. He was born in Liverpool. A , he remains the English national team's all-time top try-scorer and became the highest try scorer in the game's history with 446 tries until overtaken by Brian Bevan in 1954...
.
In his career in England, Bevan scored a hat-trick of tries or more in a single game 100 times. Twice he scored seven tries in a single game for Warrington, which is still a club record. During his sixteen year career with Warrington he helped the club win the Challenge Cup twice, three RL Championships, a Lancashire Cup and six Lancashire League titles. He played his last game for Warrington on Easter Monday
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated as a holiday in some largely Christian cultures, especially Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox cultures...
, 1962. He came out of semi-retirement to play for Blackpool Borough
Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool & The Fylde Panthers RLFC was an English professional rugby league club based in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. They played at Woodlands Memorial Ground owned by Fylde rugby union club...
between 1962–64.
He played for the British Empire XIII
British Empire XIII rugby league team
The British Empire XIII rugby league team was a rugby league football team in Europe that represented the Empire of Britain at the time.-External sources:* Programme from game versus New Zealand 1952* British Pathe news footage...
against New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
on Wednesday 23/1/1952 at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
.
In all he scored an incredible 796 tries in his career in England in all competitive matches (a world record for tries by a rugby player of either code), 740 of which were for Warrington, in 620 appearances (both club records). In 1961 he returned to Australia to play for an Eastern Suburbs seven-a-side competition for Keith Holman
Keith Holman
Keith Victor Holman, MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, a national and state representative whose club career was played with the Western Suburbs Magpies from 1949 to 1961. He has since been named as one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century...
's testimonial.
The 'wing wizard', as he is commonly referred, died in Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
, Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
, England in 1991, aged 66. Thousands turned up for his memorial service a month later which was held on the pitch at Wilderspool Stadium
Wilderspool Stadium
Wilderspool Stadium is a rugby league stadium located in Warrington, England. The ground was Warrington RLFC's old ground before moving to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. It holds just over 9,000, after substantial decreases for crowd safety...
which was at the time the home of Warrington RLFC
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
.
Brian was the brother of Owen 'Ozzy' Bevan who played for Sydney club the St George Dragons as well as Warrington, and is the great uncle of Paul Bevan
Paul Bevan
Paul Bevan is an Australian rules football player with the Sydney Swans of the Australian Football League .Having grown up in Sydney, playing for Western Suburbs Magpies AFC in the Sydney AFL and the NSW/ACT under-18s team, he was elevated from the Swans' rookie list in 2004.He played 24 senior...
who plays Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
for the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
.
Accolades
British Rugby League Hall of Fame
The British Rugby League Hall of Fame was established by the Rugby Football League in 1988 to commemorate the greatest ever players in British rugby league...
. In September, 2005 he was also inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame
Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame
The Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame honors players who have shown exceptional skill at rugby league, all-time great coaches and referees, and other major contributors to the game who are Australian...
. He is the only player to have been so doubly honoured.
A statue of him was erected in the middle of a roundabout close to Warrington's old Wilderspool ground. This was moved to the club's new ground when they relocated to the Halliwell Jones Stadium
Halliwell Jones Stadium
Halliwell Jones Stadium is a rugby league stadium in Warrington, England that is the home ground of Warrington Wolves. It has also staged Challenge Cup semi-finals, the European Nations Final and the National League Grand Finals' Day....
in 2004, which also includes a mural showing Bevan's face made from 'Primrose and Blue' bricks, the traditional Warrington colours.
In February 2008, Bevan was named in a list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players
Australian Rugby League's 100 Greatest Players
In late 2007, the Australian Rugby League and National Rugby League commissioned 130 experts to select the 100 best rugby league players in the game's 100-year history in Australia. From this list , a limited panel of experts picked a the "Team of the Century" - a team of 17 players considered to...
(1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
and ARL
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia.
Bevan went on to be named as one of the wingers, along with Ken Irvine
Ken Irvine
Kenneth John Irvine was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He holds the standing record for the most number of tries in a first-grade career – 212. No other player has yet managed 200 tries in their career, apart from Steve Menzies who has scored 216...
, in Australian rugby league's Team of the Century
Australian Rugby League's Team of the Century
In late 2007, the Australian Rugby League and National Rugby League commissioned a college of 130 experts to select the 100 best rugby league players in the game's 100-year history in Australia...
. Announced on 17 April 2008, the team is the panel's majority choice for each of the thirteen starting positions and four interchange players.
He was also featured on a British stamp in 1995, one of a series of five to commemorate the centenary of Rugby League.