We are very sad to report the recent death of former Fylde & Lancashire winger Bill Burgess (85). He played for the Club around the 1960-61 period before turning professional in his home town with Barrow RFC.
He had a glittering RL career, with Barrow, Salford RL and with many representative honours for Great Britain and England. For Barrow he made 222 appearances and scored an extraordinary 179 tries and was as productive for Salford when he joined the club in 1968.
Bill Burgess won caps for England (RL) while at Barrow in 1962 against France, in 1969 against Wales, and France,[2] and won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Barrow in 1962 against France, in 1963 against Australia, in 1965 against New Zealand (2 matches), in 1966 against France, Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), in 1967 against France, and Australia, in 1968 against France, and while at Salford in 1969 against France.
In his Fylde career he played alongside Malcolm Phillips, F. Booth & S.H Wilcock for his club as well as for Lancashire. Frank Pastore in his iconic ‘History of The Fylde Rugby Club’ (1969) said
“Burgess may well have been the greatest wing ever to play for Fylde, but he was a sad loss we suffered to the Rugby League. Once he turned professional he never looked back and went on to win many caps for Great Britain. Even today [1969] he is considered a great player.”
As Ray Hewson said: “Bill Burgess could catch pigeons – the finest natural athlete I have ever seen. I have no hesitation in stating that had he concentrated on athletics as a career, he would definitely have sprinted for Great Britain. ”
Bill’s father, also called Bill, was an equally famous RL player, with Barrow (an amazing 464 appearances!), Lancashire, England & Great Britain in the 1919-1933 period.
We pass on our sincere commiserations to Bill’s family and friends.