BREAKING NEWS: Former Warrington Wolves scrum half Parry Gordon has died

11:00pm Tuesday 3rd November 2009 in Sport By Mike Parsons

Parry Gordon at the 1974 cup winning team's reunion at Featherstone Rovers in May this year Parry Gordon at the 1974 cup winning team's reunion at Featherstone Rovers in May this year

PARRY Gordon, one of Warrington Wolves' greatest ever players, died earlier today at the age of 64.

He was christened 'Mr Loyalty' after making 543 appearances for the club between 1963 and 1981.

Only Australian wing legend Brian Bevan has played more games for the club.

Gordon is in Warrington Wolves' Hall of Fame and has remained an active member of the club's past players' association since ending his playing and coaching career.

He took part in the past players parade at Wembley this year ahead of Warrington Wolves' Challenge Cup Final tie with Huddersfield Giants.

Gordon, a one-club man after signing for the club on his 16th birthday for £400, was generally regarded as the best scrum half never to have gained a full cap for Great Britain.

The 5ft 6in and 11st 8lb non-stop tryer was unfortunate to be plying his trade in an era of many outstanding scrum halves.

Gordon, who scored 167 tries and one goal for Wire, was a member of Alex Murphy's all-conquering 1973/74 squad that won four trophies - the Captain Morgan, Players No6, Challenge Cup and Club Championship.

Gordon also guided Warrington to a win over Widnes in the John Player Trophy final in 1978.

He represented Lancashire seven times and pulled on a Great Britain under 24s shirt once.

The nearest he came to a full international cap was a substitute in Papua New Guinea with the England World Cup squad in 1975.

* Leave your tributes using the comment facility.

Comments(22)

The Resident says...
11:06pm Tue 3 Nov 09

A true hero who will be sadly missed,a Warrington great R.I.P
FROM
PADDERS

Report this post »

Les Boyd says...
11:30pm Tue 3 Nov 09

Thanks for the memories Parry. Rest in peace.

Report this post »

Pooreastender says...
10:26am Wed 4 Nov 09

Parry was always my favourite player. Gave 100% to the club and was a star throughout.
I have never left a message after someones death, but I am truly saddened by this news. RIP

Report this post »

Julian Karswell says...
10:47am Wed 4 Nov 09

I'm so sorry to hear about Parry's death. He was an outstanding scrum-half and a lovely bloke too. It was a privilege for me to watch him play during the 70s and early 80s. RIP Parry, a true club legend.

Report this post »

chelle99 says...
11:12am Wed 4 Nov 09

one great scrum half one great man and one great friend had the priviledge to play with this man in the 70s my hero from watching my hero from playing and still my hero now thanks for our time together parry you will always be in my thoughts pal.from mike peers

Report this post »

Baz says...
2:15pm Wed 4 Nov 09

What a sad loss Parry was a true gentleman & the greatest uncapped player ever, I started watching the Wire in 1964 & was truly mesmorised by his skill, he will be sadly missed

Report this post »

JohnMannion says...
2:35pm Wed 4 Nov 09

Truly a sad loss and taken too early,sincere condolences to his wife and family. It was a pleasure to watch him play. a great great clubman and one of the finest uncapped scrumhalves ever. May he rest in peace. Thanks for everything Parry.

Report this post »

transey says...
3:33pm Wed 4 Nov 09

What an absolutely tremendous player he was and a great servant of the club for about 20 years. They don't come any better than Parry. I am so sad to hyear this news.

Report this post »

John Coates says...
4:15pm Wed 4 Nov 09

Paryy was, and still is, my big Wire Hero. I first started watching as a 10 year old in 1966 and watched Parry star for the Club throughout the hard yearts at the end of the sixties. His reward came in the Murphy era and I can still remember those 'Gordon Specials,' a scrum close to touch 40 yards from the opposition try line. Parry would pick up the ball at the back of the scrum, throw a little dummy and then scoot round the blindside, sidestep the fullback and go under the posts. Those who never saw him misses a treat. I rate him as the best Wire scrum Half I've ever seen, and I include Alfie and Andy Greg in that.
Seeing him at Wembley brought back some great memories, RIP a Warrington Great.

Report this post »

Warry Warry says...
4:24pm Wed 4 Nov 09

As Warrington mascot between 1968 and 1973, I was honoured to lead the team out on hundreds of occasions. In those days, the mascot would run out and pass the ball around with the team, then shake the captains' and referee's hands and occasionally flip the coin. I must have passed the ball to Parry on a hundred or more occasions. He was by far one of my favourite players of the era and always took the time out to encourage me and give me advice on the game. He would plug my ears in the dressing-room at halftime if the team was getting an obscene roasting from the coach. He was also one of only several players who took the time to pick me up at home on his own time and take me training on Victoria Park, as I always told him I wanted to sign for The Wire "just like you, Parry" on my 16th birthday. He was a true gentleman and an ultimate professional. That's just the kind of man he was. To hear of his passing at such an early age saddens me to no end. God bless you Parry, as you blessed so many others. My sincere condolences go out to your wife, children and family.
Rest in peace, Great One.

Steve Walsh

Report this post »

FamilyofMrLoyalty says...
5:34pm Wed 4 Nov 09

This is a message to all the people who have sent us their condolences today. As a family we have heard Parry Gordon described as "Mr Loyalty" and "The little man with the big heart". To us he was simply our hero. We are utterly devestated that he has been taken from us so suddenly and without warning. Today we have found great comfort in reading all the fantastic comments and are very proud of the man he was. We would like to thank you all for your wishes and the strength they
have given us to get through this terrible time. From his loving family.

Report this post »

Saint Mick says...
6:01pm Wed 4 Nov 09

Sad and shocked to have just heard of this today RIP Parry Gordon

Report this post »

Wire74 says...
6:19pm Wed 4 Nov 09

RIP Parry - you were a true legend for the Wire - you will never be forgotten.

Deepest sympathies to your family.

Report this post »

adelwire says...
6:50pm Wed 4 Nov 09

So sad when I heard it. Parry was my first Rugby League hero when I started watching Wires in the early 1970s. Many memories but the day he scored 5 tries v Dewsbury and then didn't get selected to tour and represent Great Britain less than 24 hours has got to be the main one. Incidentally the Dewsbury scrum half Alan Bates was selected.
RIP Parry

Report this post »

Bill Anderson says...
12:45am Thu 5 Nov 09

May I add a few words to the comments already made.
I was a founder member and player of Shevington Sharks in 1979, when Parry Gordon and his buddy Jimmy Wharton started off the coaching, soon to be followed by Eddie Hunter.

You might have expected an established pro to be a bit impatient at the collection of amateur rugby league players, ex union players and players who had never even picked up a rugby ball before. Not at all. Parry was enthusiastic, welcoming and as has been stated, a true gentleman to all. By the way, in training he did not pass the ball, it simply flowed out of his hands.


Last year I passed him on the concourse at the JJB during a match - woud he remember me from nearly a quarter of a century ago? Instant recognition, instant friendship and the sad tale of the passing of one of his daughters.

I am sure I speak for all those who knew him at Shevington in those days in saluting Parry Gordon. .

Report this post »

eddie carey says...
6:34am Thu 5 Nov 09

so sorry to hear the sad news the last time i saw him was when i came over for the wire widnes game at wembley in 1975 from eddie carey gold coast queensland

Report this post »

wilbill says...
10:03am Thu 5 Nov 09

The term Legend is used cheaply these days, but in the case of Parry Gordon this is the only word to describe the man. He was a loyal servant to the "Wire" and was wihout doubt the greatest uncapped scrum half ever to play the game. I have watched the "Wire" for nearly 50 years and Parry would be in my team if I were picking legends team. My best wishes go out to all his Family & Friends at this sad time. R.I.P. Parry and thanks for the great memories you will never be forgotten.

Report this post »

brunswick says...
11:52am Thu 5 Nov 09

To parry
A great friend and family man.
An ambassador for his beloved sport
A true gentleman,that i could call him a friend was an honour.
God bless
r.i.p.
Eddie Janet Louise

Report this post »

mike ince says...
12:27pm Thu 5 Nov 09

a quiet man who truly was a great player for the wire.I enjoyed watching Parry, always a 100percent and never dirty.A gentleman who gave his all to the team.rest in peace,you were the best

Report this post »

jonnyod says...
12:38pm Thu 5 Nov 09

I have always referred to Parry as Whizzer. He was so skilful, lightning quick and brave as a lion. I can still see his breaks from the base of the scrum and his last ditch cover tackles.
The Warrington Club has lost a true hero and a real stalwart, who gave his all for the club, particularly when times were tough in the 60's and early 70's. He had earned many times over the success that eventually came his way in the mid 70s.
He may not have won as many cups and medals or achieved the international recognition he derserved but what he did achieve was the lasting admiration and affection of the Warrington fans who witnessed his efforts for the club.

Condolences to his family and friends.
R.I.P. Whizzer.


Report this post »

Allan_Hogan says...
9:29pm Tue 10 Nov 09

To the Parry Gordon family and all Wires fans,
As an apprentice with De Havilland then Hawker Siddeley I came to know Parry whilst working in the boring section until leaving to join the RAF in 1971.
Parry 'Bulger' was my mentor as I came out of my time from apprenticeship and because I didn't follow rugby I didn't realise what a star he was.
To me he was a genuine, normal everyday person who had time for everyone with no airs and graces. We worked for some time on the same machine and I consider it a privelege to have known him albeit for such a short time (1966 - 1971).
I feel for all your loss.
With deep and respectful memory - Allan Hogan

Report this post »

i saw brian bevan play says...
8:37am Thu 12 Nov 09

What a tragedy ! I was there when he made his debut for the Wire ( Jim Challinor played for Barrow ) and I was there at his last game and when he scored 5 tries in a game against Dewsbury I think. The greatest half back not to play for GB and yet he never complained. An absolute gentleman. The club should recognise him- what about the Parry Gordon Gate or something similar ?

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree