RIP the great Des Drummond : Sat Jan 29, 2022 7:29 pm  

I never had the privilege of seeing Des play, but I've heard a great deal about this Leigh and Great Britain legend, and when I met him he was an absolute gentleman. RIP Des Drummond, gone too soon. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/60185283

I never had the privilege of seeing Des play, but I've heard a great deal about this Leigh and Great Britain legend, and when I met him he was an absolute gentleman. RIP Des Drummond, gone too soon. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/60185283

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sat Jan 29, 2022 9:30 pm  

And a wire legend too! I've got Wigan and saints fans texting me saying how gutted they are. Says it all about the man and the player. RIP you legend!!

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sat Jan 29, 2022 9:52 pm  

I had the pleasure to watch Dessie play for Leyth and GB,some of his tries and tackles on his opponents,who stayed tackled,will always be a lasting memory of a Leyth Legend. RIP Dessie

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sat Jan 29, 2022 9:59 pm  

Shocked and saddened to hear of Des passing. A real superstar and a Leigh all time great. He was a diminutive player, but a black belt at judo and I remember him once tackling a prop forward. I don't know what Des did in the tackle but the prop forward had canaries tweeting around his head. RIP DES a true Leyther.

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sat Jan 29, 2022 10:28 pm  

Easter Monday 1984, and you lot battered us
My first ever away game, and, pound for pound, the loudest noise I've EVER heard in my my life. The only thing that happened, was a certain player had been given the ball. I can still see every person in that rickety old stand get to their feet, but the noise was incredible, because you knew what was going to happen.

Legend.

RIP

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:00 pm  

WYSIWYG2 wrote:

Shocked and saddened to hear of Des passing. A real superstar and a Leigh all time great. He was a diminutive player, but a black belt at judo and I remember him once tackling a prop forward. I don't know what Des did in the tackle but the prop forward had canaries tweeting around his head. RIP DES a true Leyther.

To the best of Bongser's memory, WYSIWYG, when tackling the big guys he would aim for a full, high wrap whilst ramming his "fod" into the unfortunate's ribs (hoping for solar plexus?).

Some people will also recall his time on "Superstars" on the BBC, especially his prowess at weightlifting. Can't recall if it was Pickering or Coleman that said something to the tune of, "If he can lift that weight above his head, it's no wonder he can take out prop forwards." (RL was still on the Beeb in those days, so everyone knew who Des was - leave that subject alone for now).

Also recall him blitzing all comers in the 100m at the old Madeley Park (might even have still been plain Leigh Harriers at that point) and Bongser will always maintain that he was defo faster than Henderson Gill (as proven at the old Central Park to Bongser's glee). Never saw him face Chariots - different era.

Only shared a drink with him a coupla times but went away even fonder.

RIP

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:36 pm  

Was announced before stef Ratchford’s testimonial tonight. In shock. I grew up watching Dessie. What a tough, tough man. The way he flew in off his wing to smash his opposition centre was borderline illegal. Searing pace too of course, the only man I ever saw who caught Martin offiah from behind. Incredible athlete, taken far too young. RIP mate, thanks for everything.

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:37 am  

TO AN ATHLETE DYING YOUNG - A E HOUSMAN

The day you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.

To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:45 am  

My own tribute to a great man , and player , sadly will be missed gave me some great memories scored some great tries , and a Gentleman .

Re: RIP the great Des Drummond : Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:51 am  

Was stunned to hear this. A terrible loss and way too young. I started watching Leeds as a kid in 1972 and reckon a young Des Drummond was the most exciting winger I’ve ever seen at Headingley. The wide spaces suited him. He scored some incredible tries.
The game that sticks in my mind was late April 1982. John Woods was brilliant as was an ageing Eric Chisnall.
Leeds dropped the ball on half way and Drummond swooped and swerved and stepped and beat 6 men to fly under the posts. Leigh were 15-8 up at half time. Kevin Dick had missed 2 easy penalties for Leeds. Leeds came back in the second half. It was a great game. Les Dyl scored for Leeds in the last minute to make it Leeds 18 Leigh 19. Kevin Dick missed the conversion. In effect you won the Championship that day and think clinched it at Whitehaven but you guys will know better than me.

I also remember him scoring 2 v New Zealand at Headingley and that great interplay with Schofield for a try v Aus down under. Nearly won the old superstars as well.
RIP to a true RL great and a provider of fantastic memories.