Product Description

Just before the start of the 2002 Wales v Scotland match in Cardiff, the stadium announcer asked people to stand and acknowledge Bill McLaren's great contribution to the sport. The whole ground rose, leaving McLaren choking back the tears. Then came a voice in his ear: 'Cue, Bill...' Coping with his emotions on that day was obviously not straightforward, even for a commentator of Bill McLaren's experience, used to being caught up in some of the most dramatic moments rugby has ever seen. But Bill also talks frankly about the greatest tragedy of his life: the death of his younger daughter from cancer at 46, the three-years of agony and the trauma of her final day. Bill wanted to stay at her bedside, but she insisted him to go and carry out a commentating duty in Edinburgh on the Saturday afternoon. He did so, rushed back to the hospital, but she had died that afternoon while he was on air. McLaren, himself, had almost died of TB in his youth and he tells of the days and nights, when he hid under the sheets in bed at the Scottish hospital, where he was kept for 19 months, 'crying myself to sleep each night as they took away my friends, who had died that day. I was certain I would be next'. He has excellent memories of his war years, and delves deep to recall some harrowing times as a forward observation spotter, when he came within inches of being killed by a German sniper. Later, he also remembers leading his men one day into a small northern Italian town, where they discovered 1500 corpses piled up in the square. 'That was the day I became a man, rather quickly,' he says. He was 21. As well reliving the highlights of his illustrious career as a commentator, Bill talks of the game today and his regrets that rugby went professional. He is a fierce critic of what this has led to, and fears for the future health and safety of rugby players, because he regards the modern game as dangerously physical. His story amounts to a history of the game itself, and reaffirms McLaren's status as something of a global treasure.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57167 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 359 pages

From the Publisher
Bill McLaren talks poignantly about his entire life, focusing on his 50 years as chief rugby commentator for the BBC.

From the Back Cover
‘That lovely border dialect of Bill’s has transcended the game for the last thirty or forty years’ Gareth Edwards

‘Bill’s name is synonymous with the game’ Andy Irvine

‘You almost feel honoured to be listening to Bill McLaren’ Sean Fitzpatrick

In this moving autobiography, Bill McLaren reveals the joys and sadnesses of his life outside rugby – a life almost tragically cut short by tuberculosis. He also vividly recalls the highlights of his illustrious career and his fifty years' experience at the BBC, where he commentated on the most dramatic moments the game has ever seen.
In short, Bill McLaren’s story amounts to the history of rugby itself, and reaffirms his status as something of a global treasure.

‘Bill McLaren, the legendary commentator, may have hung up his microphone, but moving words still flow’
Daily Telegraph

About the Author
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Customer Reviews

A delightful and nostalgic read
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I was given this book. Of course, I grew up listening to Bill's wonderful rugby commentary and the book brought childhood memories flooding back. But the story is something altogether more than a trip down memory lane with reflections on rugby greats. Bill's life has contained it's fair share of drama and tragedy. Weaved together with his love of the game and his professional life I found it an absolute pleasure to read. There is something wonderfully noble about how Bill tells his story and it's difficult not to be left with the feeling that we have lost something unique from our Saturday afternoons. If, as I am, you are a former rugby player you will also find his views on the modern game thought provoking.
I found the book a breath of fresh air. It puts a lot of things in perspective and reminds you of how rich a life can be.

Not the Mclaren of the air.
If you,re expecting a synopsis of his commentary days, then you'll be disappointed. It is an autobiography of his life, with a dis-proportionate mix of rugby commentary and his life. With Bill Mclarens wealth of visual game experience I expected something like, my memorable games, experiences with players, humorous incidents, a world selected XV, greatest tries, and so on.....

The master
Many people think they know Bill McLaren from his globally-recognised voice, but this book provides the real life story of the man from Hawick. It is a fascinating read and well written - a good tribute to the legendary commentator, journalist, teacher and all-round rugby ambassador.