Quote: The Dentist Wilf "Beat me to it. It's funny the first try of his I remembered was at the end of that game to win them the spoils. He sliced through the centre channel like a runaway train to score in Ryan Corner at the SE end of the Best Stand. He was a great forward big strong and very mobile he ran us ragged a time or two. I remember when he and Mal Reilly went to Manly arounds 1974 time and were a massive hit over there playing around 70 games before he returned to star again for Rovers. I went to the Gym at the hotel on the Marina in the early 90's where he was a regular and he kept himself fit well into the twilight of his life. But he was always pleased to talk rugby, loved Rovers and was active with them behind the scenes for years.
These things are bigger than prejudice and rivalry. as the City loses another legend.
R.I.P. Phil'"
Like you say Wilf, he was part of a great generation of players who starred both here and down under. I can remember him returning to rovers from Manly in the mid-seventies and it being a real boost for them.
After his career had finished I used to see him around town on a Friday-Saturday nights (Iike a fair few people I guess!) when he had a stint as pub landlord, chiefly at King Billy on Lowgate. He was always ready to talk rugby with anyone who fancied a chat, whichever team they were supporting.
Always very sad when players of his stature and calibre pass away. A genuinely nice guy by all accounts.
