Les Gorley RIP

[Derwent 2,218]

Just heard the terrible news that Les has passed away today. A superb player who improved any team he played in. RIP big fella, was a privilege to watch you play for Town.

[Bearintown 164]

Sad sad news real legend and local to boot

[Davo5 3,664]

Great player,RIP

[Seaton Sandy 1,017]

John Risman told me a couple of weeks ago that Les was very ill but it still comes as a shock to hear of his passing. Les and Peter were top class forwards in great Town line-ups and went on to grace the rugby league stage at the highest level. R.I.P. Les......

[pensioner 50]

Really sad news, didn’t have the pleasure of seeing him play (a late convert to the game) but met him a good few times and a true gentleman and huge character. I remember Billy Thompson seeing him at a dinner and instantly saying “The smiling assassin!” He had a few tales about Les but you knew that they came from a man who had great respect.

[Onreport 308]

Awful news, true legend of the game, privileged to have seen you play, RIP big man.

[Brookie 168]

RIP Les

[DavidM 8,356]

Shocking news that . Les would have been playing when I first started going on my dads shoulders . Like the greats of that time he is and always will be a Town legend and immortal . And of course he went on to even greater things showing what a tremendous player he was . Very very sad whenever another of our true legends and key figures in our rich history leaves us , but although they pass they’ll never ever go from us or be forgotten . 

[Flimby Blue 58]

RIP big fella 

Strong, hard, class top top player.

[IanMac 608]

What sad news. A true town great that I enjoyed watching in them halcyon days of the 70’s. I can still see him striding through  and producing a lovely off load. 

Rip Les. 

[Town blue white 38]

Worked on a lot of Thomas Armstrong jobs were big les worked as a joiner. What a legend.!  So sad RIP big les gorley 

[Seaton Sandy 1,017]

Coincidentally I watched an iconic film for the umpteenth time a couple of nights ago. " This Sporting Life" starring Richard Harris as a star loose forward at the pinnacle of Rugby League is uncannily realistic in terms of how the greatest game played out in those days. It was a very different landscape back in the 60's and 70's and players had to be durable and skillful to make the grade. Les Gorley always made the grade.........

[Hate the rec 759]

Really sad to hear this, Les was a fantastic player for Town and Widnes and a mountain of a man who would have a crack with anyone, I worked with Les on building sites and had great banter ( joiners v brickies) with him. Condolences to his family,  RIP big man. 

[homeandawayer 373]

Big Les in full stride, I was only a kid at the Lancs Cup finals but saw him in the pubs round Broughton and I can tell you I wouldn't have liked to have had to tackle him ! RIP Les a legend of Town and rugby league .

[The Voodooguru 757]

Oh such sad news, I worked with Les for a short while and he knew my dad and cousin pretty well. I got a bit of grief off him as an apprentice but the rugby crack was always top notch as he seemed to know everyone, I also learned the hard way not to try to keep up pint for pint with him in the Volunteer one Christmas too!

I was a bit too young to see him play but he was a great bloke. Condolences to his family, RIP Big Les.

[town4me 1,037]

One of my earliest memories as a town fan was watching Les. 

RIP Les

[Onreport 308]

11 hours ago, homeandawayer said:

Big Les in full stride, I was only a kid at the Lancs Cup finals but saw him in the pubs round Broughton and I can tell you I wouldn't have liked to have had to tackle him ! RIP Les a legend of Town and rugby league .

One of the best in one of the very best set of forwards we  (or any team) has ever assembled. 

[ivans82 728]

Got told a coupe of weeks ago he wasn`t well , the news has still come as a bit of a shock ,one of the true legends of the Club , fond memories of Les breaking the line off Boxer and Eddie Bowmans passes , and my could he gallop . RIP LES .

[Keith T 460]

RIP Les a true Town legend

[Widnes 1989⭐️⚫️⚪️ 4]

Thank you Les for having the pleasure of watching you at Naughton Park and of course Wembley. 

I know I speak for all Widnes and RL fans far and wide

RIP fella

[Brookie 168]

Thought it would have got a mention in the N&S

[Seaton Sandy 1,017]

5 hours ago, Brookie said:

Thought it would have got a mention in the N&S

Les was mentioned on Border Craic 'n' Deekaboot tonight which was a welcome departure from their usual indifference to local Rugby League matters .  They showed a fairly recent image of the big guy in happier times alongside someone who I think might have been Eckie Bell?  It would be fitting if our troops could muster one final effort in the playoffs in honour of a true Town legend. UTT. 

[Brookie 168]

10 hours ago, Seaton Sandy said:

Les was mentioned on Border Craic 'n' Deekaboot tonight which was a welcome departure from their usual indifference to local Rugby League matters .  They showed a fairly recent image of the big guy in happier times alongside someone who I think might have been Eckie Bell?  It would be fitting if our troops could muster one final effort in the playoffs in honour of a true Town legend. UTT. 

I don't watch it anymore, no inderest in watching people galloping around on horses etc

[unicorn106 1,215]

RIP Les and condolences to his family. I have great memories of Les playing in that superb pack that won the Lancs Cup. He was a giant on the field and a gentleman off it, I remember being gutted when he went to Widnes. We've lost another legend. 

[Guest Sean H]

Did not know Les in his playing days but had the great pleasure of knowing and working with him over the last few years. A proper old fashioned, no nonsense fella and the best joiner I ever mey. I know he had great pride in his family, especially his grandson who's swimming successes he often relayed to me. Hope they play rugby and wear tool belts where you are now Les.