Last updated at 15:53, Thursday, 02 January 2014
POPULAR all-round local sportsman Brian Wishart has died aged 71.
A likeable character, fondly known to so many as ‘Wishy’, Brian passed away at Furness General hospital on Friday.
He played football, cricket and rugby league before taking up the whistle for the Barrow and District Rugby League Referees’ Society.
He later worked hard behind the scenes raising funds for Barrow RL, before having a spell as a director at Craven Park.
His sporting career took off at St James’ School, Hindpool, where he soon established himself at soccer and cricket, playing alongside the likes of Jimmy Wright, Billy Goulding and Ken Stirzacker.
His soccer days were at Hawcoat Park playing for the Vickers Sports Club, where he also played cricket.
He switched codes to rugby league with Walney Central in the 1960s and was a front-row forward and a prolific goal kicker.
When his playing days were over, he joined the local rugby league referees’ society, where he stamped his authority with his no-nonsense approach – no one would get one over on Wishy.
Brian Hetherington, a Holker Old Boys stalwart and former football referee, remembered him fondly and said: “It’s a sad time. Brian was enthusiastic in all sports he was associated with, he was a good all-rounder.
“He was very under-rated at football and a great character who would play in any position. He played in goals where he was very good, he had a heck of a boot on him.
“Whenever he was dropped from the team, he would let it be known he wasn’t happy but would then laugh it off and make some kind of joke of the matter. He loved to take the mickey but could also take it in return. He was always smiling and laughing during games and off the field he was a joker.
“Brian played in a good five-a-side team at local events in the 60s with the likes of Johnny Lowes and Ron Stevens (dad of former Everton and England star Gary). He was very well liked.â€
Former Barrow and Vickers Sports Club player Jimmy Wright added his tribute, saying: “It is a sad day, it really is.
“Brian and myself go back a long way to our days at St James’ School, in Hindpool.
“He was a naturally gifted player at whatever sport he turned his hand to. He was down to earth and would do anything for anyone “
Adding his tribute, former St Mary’s rugby player and referee, Billy Goulding, said: “I’ve lost a dear friend. Brian was a nice lad who loved his sport and joined me at the referees’ society after his playing days were over.
“He was a promising cricketer at under-11s with St James’ and played at Vickers for many years.
“He would organise a seven-a-side team from the sub dock in Vickers at cricket and we won a competition at Barrow against the favourites, the Grammar School teachers, who included former Barrow RL star Tom Brophy.â€
Characters are few and far between in today’s world. Wishy was one of them and he will be sorely missed.
He had time for whoever came into his path and he loved the craic. RIP Old boy.
First published at 15:48, Thursday, 02 January 2014
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Have your say
How very sad to read about the great “WISHY” he will be missed by so many.
The UP side of the article is the mention of so many of the HINDPOOL lads.
JIM Wright,Bill Goulding and memories of so many of the area at that time brought it all back to me especially as I had so much respect for them all as I was not gifted with their talents and had to look on with jealous admiration and respect of all of them!
Posted by Ray Moore on
2 January 2014 at 18:30
Tributes to popular Barrow sporting all-rounder Brian Wishart
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