Len McIntyre RIP : Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:31 am  

I am sad to report that Len died yesterday.

Len was signed from Spring Valve ARLFC Wigan, in November 1953. He dveloped into a great hooker with very good pass distribution and sound defence.Len could also be relied upon to step up and take goal kicks. Indeed he netted 12 goals in just 2 matches for the Saints, including a highly creditable 8 goals in the home demolition of Rochdale Hornets in the 1956/57 season.

Len spent the first two years at Knowsley Road mostly turning out for a very strong Saints A team. However, Len reached the top of his game in the 1955 to 1956 season. In this season he scored his first try for the club in the home victory over Rochdale Hornets. He also notched up two braces of tries against Salford and Widnes in the following stanza.

Doubtless his greatest ever moment in a Saints shirt came in the 1956 Challenge Cup Final against Halifax. Len along with great front row partners Alan Prescott and Abe Terry secured plenty of possession on that great afternoon when Saints won their first ever Challenge Cup.

Len also missed out in the Lancashire Cup Final in October of the same year as the great Oldham team defeated the Saints by 10 points to 3.

Afdter 28 matches for the Saints first team Len was sold to Barrow in August,1957 for £750. Len then moved to Oldham where he played 212 games for the Roughyeds and represented Great Britain against Australia in a test match in 1963.

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:35 am  

R.I.P.
I think he finished his career at his home town club of Wigan (in the mid 1960's)

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:45 am  

Thanks for that reminder Rogues, yes he played 10 matches for Wigan between 1966 and 1968.

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:24 pm  

Interesting club name Spring Valve RLFC, presumably a works team ?

Did the Spring View club develop from that or completely unrelated ?

Len clearly played before my time not a name I am familiar with. R.I.P Len.

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:42 pm  

Div - I think Spring View was based in New Springs between Platt Bridge and Ince. The Spring Valve firm could have been located here as well - I'll ask some of my chums from Hindley. Rogues - Wigan wasn't Len's final club. He left Wigan in 1968 and joined Warrington making his debut on the 24th of September, 1968. Len played 78 times for the Wire before finally retiring in December 1970. However he ramained at Wilderspool going on to coach Warrington Colts. I think we've bottomed his biography now. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/ ... &num=15958

Div - I think Spring View was based in New Springs between Platt Bridge and Ince. The Spring Valve firm could have been located here as well - I'll ask some of my chums from Hindley. Rogues - Wigan wasn't Len's final club. He left Wigan in 1968 and joined Warrington making his debut on the 24th of September, 1968. Len played 78 times for the Wire before finally retiring in December 1970. However he ramained at Wilderspool going on to coach Warrington Colts. I think we've bottomed his biography now. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/ ... &num=15958

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:36 pm  

Arthur Bitter wrote: Div - I think Spring View was based in New Springs between Platt Bridge and Ince. The Spring Valve firm could have been located here as well - I'll ask some of my chums from Hindley. Rogues - Wigan wasn't Len's final club. He left Wigan in 1968 and joined Warrington making his debut on the 24th of September, 1968. Len played 78 times for the Wire before finally retiring in December 1970. However he ramained at Wilderspool going on to coach Warrington Colts. I think we've bottomed his biography now. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/ ... &num=15958 I have a scrap book picture of him carrying Ken Kelly- aged about 17/18- from the Wilderspool pitch like a babe in arms after a dirty barsteward named Joe Price broke his jaw. If I'm not mistaken Price was from Wiggin and he didn't come out for the second half.

Arthur Bitter wrote: Div - I think Spring View was based in New Springs between Platt Bridge and Ince. The Spring Valve firm could have been located here as well - I'll ask some of my chums from Hindley. Rogues - Wigan wasn't Len's final club. He left Wigan in 1968 and joined Warrington making his debut on the 24th of September, 1968. Len played 78 times for the Wire before finally retiring in December 1970. However he ramained at Wilderspool going on to coach Warrington Colts. I think we've bottomed his biography now. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/ ... &num=15958 I have a scrap book picture of him carrying Ken Kelly- aged about 17/18- from the Wilderspool pitch like a babe in arms after a dirty barsteward named Joe Price broke his jaw. If I'm not mistaken Price was from Wiggin and he didn't come out for the second half.

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:42 pm  

I'd guess Spring Valve was derived from Triangle Valve on the Lamberhead estate up Pem but could be wrong. Spring view is in Platt Wass New Springs is twixt Whelley and Aspull and they currently have a team in NW Counties and play up Cale Lane.

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:58 pm  

Tough competitor was Len, even when playing cricket for Hindley. RIP.

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:57 pm  

Spring Valve ARLFC

Len's daughter kindly informed me that The Springs Valve works was in Spring View.
They all worked on Steam trains.
Len McIntyre was a Fireman on the trains.

Re: Len McIntyre RIP : Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:22 am  

I remember watching Len play for the Wire. At the end of his career, he wasnt the most athletic of players, however his performance in the scrums more than justified his selection. Possibly the best ball winning hooker I have ever seen in Warrington colours.