Wolves mourn Ryan

Thu 5th November 2009 11.40AM

WARRINGTON’S former international forward, Bob Ryan, has died after a long illness. A member of the Wolves’ Hall of Fame, Bob Ryan was signed from Ince Rovers in the first post-war season, and made his debut at Broughton Rangers in a 12- 19 defeat, in October 1945. For the 5ft 9in, 13st 10lb second row however good times were on their way, as he became the cornerstone of the first Warrington Championship side in 1947/48. Ryan made 372 appearances for Warrington and scored 37 tries in a 13 season career at Wilderspool. Ryan and team-mate Jim Featherstone were selected to tour in 1950 and missed out on the Wembley triumph. Ryan made his Great Britain Test debut on a waterlogged Sydney Cricket Ground in a 6-4 victory.

His qualities earned him five Great Britain caps, two for England and saw him selected to play for Lancashire on four occasions. The 1953/54 campaign saw Ryan at loose forward as Warrington achieved the Challenge Cup and Championship double. He was also in the last Championship winning side, as Oldham were defeated 7-3 on a rainy day at Maine Road in 1955. His final game, in March 1958, was a Challenge Cup quarter final tie at Workington.