The genius that was bill ashurst the BIG man himself is doing a book signing at bv on the 10th of April at the wigan game. His career saw him play for wigan Penrith then wakefield. We bought him from wigan for a record 18000 worth 136000 today. the book tells the story of his early life of suffering abuse as a child to fall outs with various people in the game. The story where he knocked Mike stevo Stephenson out in a scrum cause he wouldn't pass the ball at Penrith and going on to win mom and a car. Coaching and playing at wakefield. I first saw him when I was a kid and I thought wow he's brilliant. Spiral kicks. Putting people through gaps hard as nails he had it all. He scored a try at bv chipped over regathered side stepped and went under sticks. If you get the chance to speak to him his admiration for our club and the players he played with is second to none. Go along and meet the big man his knowledge of the game is not around today.

I remember seeing him at Trin, he was way past his best and couldn't play with out loads of strapping on his knees but skill wise was head and shoulders above anyone on the field.

I remember the try you talk of. One of the best ever at belle vue.

Met him a few times at various functions. An absolute gentleman.

I always admired his haircut. That iconic, greased back, floppy side-parting needs to make a comeback.

An amazing second row forward who had everything - the best I've seen in nearly 60 years. He only play 30 odd games for us I believe but worth every penny for sheer entertainment value.

This guy is one of Bellycouldtackles heroes, he never shuts up about him - before my time.

Belly might send his Footman to get an autograph

It's a shame it could not have been done in the Cat's Bar when it was first published, mines already signed anyway, can't remember who I've lent it to though wouldn't be you by any chance would it

Remember we had to raise the height of the home dugout as he was too tall to sit in the original one.

The memories come flooding back, what a player!
I remember one game away at Fev when he was player coach and he was on one leg as his knees were shot and he was telling all the youngsters in the team where to stand, when to run and where to run (I seem to recall a young Ian Hopkinson playing). BA ran the show and as someone said above, head and shoulders above anyone else. Great player and he could dish it out when needed.

He had all the skills and hardness you would want. His ability to sell a dummy were second to none, and when him and Keith Smith were selling them, the opposition, team-mates and crowd didn't know where the ball was. Brilliant memories.

I remember St Helens away when he grabbed hold of Chisnals collar and pulled his fist back to his waist , big chi snell couldn't get away quick enough shaking like a leaf . Was it Wigan at home when he got clobbered by a on loan player who shouldn't have even played. Steve blaney ?

Steve Breheney I think. BA got an elbow to the cheekbone, off the ball.

Brehney was just a thug a very big one at that, Karalius put him in against Wakefield specifically to hurt Ashurst from past experiences when he was playing , Brehney wasn't good enough to do it when Bill was looking and had to wait while BA had his head stuck through the front row of the scrum breaking his jaw.

For some reason i thought B A had kicked through and received the elbow when sandwiched between two Wigan players . I don't think he was even on the Wigan team sheet. My dad who was sat in the east stand said you could hear the crack .