Derwent 2,030 Report post Posted September 11 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. Quote I’m not prejudiced, I hate everybody equally Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bearintown 141 Report post Posted September 11 Sad sad news real legend and local to boot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davo5 3,098 Report post Posted September 11 Great player,RIP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seaton Sandy 1,017 Report post Posted September 11 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...... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pensioner 28 Report post Posted September 11 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Onreport 286 Report post Posted September 11 Awful news, true legend of the game, privileged to have seen you play, RIP big man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brookie 152 Report post Posted September 11 RIP Les Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidM 7,125 Report post Posted September 11 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 . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flimby Blue 58 Report post Posted September 11 RIP big fella Strong, hard, class top top player. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanMac 489 Report post Posted September 11 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. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Town blue white 29 Report post Posted September 11 Worked on a lot of Thomas Armstrong jobs were big les worked as a joiner. What a legend.! So sad RIP big les gorley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seaton Sandy 1,017 Report post Posted September 11 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......... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hate the rec 665 Report post Posted September 11 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
homeandawayer 342 Report post Posted September 11 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 . 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Voodooguru 705 Report post Posted September 11 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. Quote The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but thats the way to bet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
town4me 964 Report post Posted September 12 One of my earliest memories as a town fan was watching Les. RIP Les Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Onreport 286 Report post Posted September 12 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ivans82 645 Report post Posted September 12 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 . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keith T 458 Report post Posted September 12 RIP Les a true Town legend Quote I remember when ............................."It is impossible not to feel a twinge of sympathy for Workington Town, the fall guys this season for the Super League's determination to retain it's European dimension, in the shape of Paris. While the French have had every assistance to survive, the importance of having a flagship in a heartland area like West Cumbria has been conveniently forgotten." - Dave Hadfield - Independent 25th August 1996. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Widnes 1989⭐️⚫️⚪️ 4 Report post Posted September 12 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 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brookie 152 Report post Posted September 12 Thought it would have got a mention in the N&S Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seaton Sandy 1,017 Report post Posted September 12 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. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brookie 152 Report post Posted September 13 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unicorn106 1,046 Report post Posted September 13 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. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sean H Report post Posted October 10 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
