Wembley statue honour for Workington Town legend Gus Risman
Last updated at 12:15, Friday, 24 August 2012
Workington Town legend Gus Risman will be immortalised in a statue outside Wembley Stadium.
Gus guided Workington Town to the club’s most famous win in the 1952 Challenge Cup, and was one of five names left in the running to depict rugby league’s association with the national stadium.
The RFL originally asked fans to vote for one player for an artistic interpretation which ‘captures the spirit of rugby league’.
But, in an amazing turnaround, it was announced at Wembley last night that Gus will be joined by Billy Boston, Eric Ashton, Martin Offiah and Alex Murphy.
Gus’s son Bev, a dual international and former RFL president, said: “All five players represent a particular era of the game and we are delighted that our dad has been included.
“He had two rugby league careers, before and after the war, and Workington Town made a massive contribution in helping him make his name. And it’s thanks to the fans in West Cumbria that he got onto the shortlist.
“Mum and dad would have been very proud and we’re all chuffed to bits.”
Town chairman Dave Bowden said: “To be in that company shows just what a great player Gus was.
“Town were only formed in 1945 and Gus was brought in at the age of 35 to help build a team in 1946.
“Six years later he walked up the steps at Wembley to lift the Challenge Cup and it’s fitting that 60 years on he is given this great honour.”
Gus made 873 appearances for Salford, Workington and Batley during a 27-season career, scoring 4,052 tries and kicking 1,678 goals.
Rugby league has been associated with Wembley for over 80 years, with the first Challenge Cup final played at the stadium in 1929.
First published at 11:52, Friday, 24 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
So appropriate that it should come 60 years after his and Town's finest 80 minutes.
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A well deserved reward for a great player, I remember that season very well, we beat the mighty Wigan three times that season, rthose were the good days for Workington and Rugby, give it to Gus could be heard all over the town in those days. posted by Alex Craig.
Posted by Alex Craig on 24 August 2012 at 19:04