Bill Arthur

[DavidM]

Very sad news 

[Exiled Wiganer]

God rest his soul. 

[Pigeon Lofter]

Oh no!

Another voice of Rugby League joins The Choir Invisible.

[sam4731]

God I didn't even know he was ill. RIP.

[EastLondonMike]

Really sad news. RIP Bill.

[Wakey Til I Die]

Such sad news. A very good broadcaster, an even better bloke and a true RL enthusiast. RIP Bill.

[bird]

RIP

[Gooleboy]

A fine commentator. RIP Bill.

[StandOffHalf]

2 hours ago, Northern Eel said:

A tribute to Bill;

I first met Bill in person when he was out in Perpignan some 15+ years ago. I was with my mate, both of us sporting our Brentwood Eels t-shirts, a club we had built from a standing start. There was a photo opportunity on the pitch with the Sky Sports crew, and Bill invited us, strangers, across for a picture. He was keen to know where we were from, and why we were in France. We explained our passion for expansion, and our mutual love for what the Dragons were doing too. He thanked us for what we were doing in Essex, and wished us well. I thought that would be the end of it.

Following a work-move to Nottinghamshire in 2011, I wandered into the local pub for a pint. I was probably one pint too deep, but could have sworn that in the corner, with his family, was Bill Arthur. 'It can't be', I thought to myself. 'Why on earth would Bill be in this pub?'. I went home and told my wife. She thought is was probably more than a pint too deep! Time passed, once or twice more, the same happened and I eventually plucked up the courage to introduce myself. It transpires that I needed no courage at all. It was Bill and he was a delight to talk to. From there, our friendship grew, and our mutual love of rugby league was the driver for this.

I remember telling him that I was starting up a rugby league team (Bassetlaw Bulldogs) in our locality. He thought I was mad, but was so warm and encouraging of what I wanted to achieve. In the early days of the club, he was pivotal in our development, but such was the man he was, he would never have once taken any credit for it. Let me explain.

One bitterly cold night in Wakefield, the Bulldogs were 'born', as a gaggle of young players took to the pitch as mascots and flag wavers at a Super League game which Bill was heading up in the commentary box. A few days before, he had given me the heads-up and we quickly arranged for a shout out on the Sky Sports commentary. Bill duly obliged, emphatically. The weekend after, with his own kids in tow, he was down at the ground ready to help out in any way he could. This would continue, often with Bill getting back late from his commentary gigs the night before, yet still hauling himself out of bed to help around the club.

As time went on, Bill joined the club committee and continued to give the Bulldogs fantastic airtime in his commentaries. It became a bit of an in-joke with his commentary team, as the mentions were getting frequent. At one stage, I dropped a bit of a hint to Bill that he was indeed allowed to name drop other clubs from time to time! 

Bill was always willing to come to our end of season awards ceremonies. Sometimes he would compare for us, other times, he was just happy to come and help us set up, lending us some gear to make the audio/visual element look the business! During the covid years, we couldn't meet as a club to celebrate the season, so we did an online programme and screened it on YouTube. Bill was kind enough to put on his professional voice and do a voice-over of some season footage for the kids. 

Bill was hugely generous with his time and often invited club members behind the scenes at the Sky Sports Media van. There, they would press buttons and wear the headphones etc. At other times, he would introduce us to his commentary colleagues, often on Super League Grand Final day. I was always struck that for such a busy man, he was never phased by our presence so close to his own big commentaries. 

Bill worked tirelessly to prepare for his commentaries. His knowledge of rugby league was immense. His love of the game was manifested by his desire to see the game grow beyond the heartlands. He loved Catalans Dragons and was the go-to man for Sky Sports out in Perpignan. In latter years, he would find himself having to commentate from a screen in the London studios, rather than sunning it up in the South of France. His commentaries were thoroughly well researched. 

For a man who was, by virtue of his job, thrust into the public domain, he was such a humble, private and unassuming man. Our local area owes Bill so much, well beyond rugby league. Bill's struggle with cancer was one he never complained about. He fought it with the same dignity that he did everything else. Many of us here are mourning the loss of a wonderful gentleman and loyal friend. 

As the microphone falls silent, I take a moment to reflect on a life well-lived, from a man who brought such support and friendship to myself and many others. Rest in peace Bill.

It was really nice to hear him mentioning clubs such as yours in Bassetlaw during his commentaries.

That's a lovely personal tribute.

[Jinking Jimmy]

2 hours ago, Northern Eel said:

A tribute to Bill;

I first met Bill in person when he was out in Perpignan some 15+ years ago. I was with my mate, both of us sporting our Brentwood Eels t-shirts, a club we had built from a standing start. There was a photo opportunity on the pitch with the Sky Sports crew, and Bill invited us, strangers, across for a picture. He was keen to know where we were from, and why we were in France. We explained our passion for expansion, and our mutual love for what the Dragons were doing too. He thanked us for what we were doing in Essex, and wished us well. I thought that would be the end of it.

Following a work-move to Nottinghamshire in 2011, I wandered into the local pub for a pint. I was probably one pint too deep, but could have sworn that in the corner, with his family, was Bill Arthur. 'It can't be', I thought to myself. 'Why on earth would Bill be in this pub?'. I went home and told my wife. She thought is was probably more than a pint too deep! Time passed, once or twice more, the same happened and I eventually plucked up the courage to introduce myself. It transpires that I needed no courage at all. It was Bill and he was a delight to talk to. From there, our friendship grew, and our mutual love of rugby league was the driver for this.

I remember telling him that I was starting up a rugby league team (Bassetlaw Bulldogs) in our locality. He thought I was mad, but was so warm and encouraging of what I wanted to achieve. In the early days of the club, he was pivotal in our development, but such was the man he was, he would never have once taken any credit for it. Let me explain.

One bitterly cold night in Wakefield, the Bulldogs were 'born', as a gaggle of young players took to the pitch as mascots and flag wavers at a Super League game which Bill was heading up in the commentary box. A few days before, he had given me the heads-up and we quickly arranged for a shout out on the Sky Sports commentary. Bill duly obliged, emphatically. The weekend after, with his own kids in tow, he was down at the ground ready to help out in any way he could. This would continue, often with Bill getting back late from his commentary gigs the night before, yet still hauling himself out of bed to help around the club.

As time went on, Bill joined the club committee and continued to give the Bulldogs fantastic airtime in his commentaries. It became a bit of an in-joke with his commentary team, as the mentions were getting frequent. At one stage, I dropped a bit of a hint to Bill that he was indeed allowed to name drop other clubs from time to time! 

Bill was always willing to come to our end of season awards ceremonies. Sometimes he would compare for us, other times, he was just happy to come and help us set up, lending us some gear to make the audio/visual element look the business! During the covid years, we couldn't meet as a club to celebrate the season, so we did an online programme and screened it on YouTube. Bill was kind enough to put on his professional voice and do a voice-over of some season footage for the kids. 

Bill was hugely generous with his time and often invited club members behind the scenes at the Sky Sports Media van. There, they would press buttons and wear the headphones etc. At other times, he would introduce us to his commentary colleagues, often on Super League Grand Final day. I was always struck that for such a busy man, he was never phased by our presence so close to his own big commentaries. 

Bill worked tirelessly to prepare for his commentaries. His knowledge of rugby league was immense. His love of the game was manifested by his desire to see the game grow beyond the heartlands. He loved Catalans Dragons and was the go-to man for Sky Sports out in Perpignan. In latter years, he would find himself having to commentate from a screen in the London studios, rather than sunning it up in the South of France. His commentaries were thoroughly well researched. 

For a man who was, by virtue of his job, thrust into the public domain, he was such a humble, private and unassuming man. Our local area owes Bill so much, well beyond rugby league. Bill's struggle with cancer was one he never complained about. He fought it with the same dignity that he did everything else. Many of us here are mourning the loss of a wonderful gentleman and loyal friend. 

As the microphone falls silent, I take a moment to reflect on a life well-lived, from a man who brought such support and friendship to myself and many others. Rest in peace Bill.

A wonderful tribute!

[OMEGA]

Shocked and saddened to read of Bills passing!

He was part of the furniture within Sky Sports Rugby League coverage, his enthusiastic love of the game shone through.

RIP Bill

 condolences to his family

[Lowdesert]

One of the good guys.

Rest in peace Bill.

[graveyard johnny]

very sad news indeed - have eddie and stevo commented at all?

[Eddie]

A real professional. RIP. 

[graveyard johnny]

some great moments and footage after the initial report

 

[Double Knock On]

A couple of my close friends have PC. Neither had any symptoms related to PC. One was picked up with a routine PSA at his GP- he has "Locally Advanced PC" & is undergoing hormone and radiotherapy. The other thought he had a calf strain but it was PC in his hip bone that had blocked his femoral artery- he was dead within 6 months

The Digital Rectal Examination only picks up PC that has broken the Prostate wall (I think it was Billy Connolly who said it feels like a walnut not a grape).

The PSA blood test is non-invasive, and while it may give false positives (e.g., excessive cycling, anal sex) it should certainly be taken by all men over 60. One in eight men get PC. If caught early, it is very easily dealt with, caught a bit later you have a fighting chance, if it's already in your bones (and the pelvic bone is one of he first places it can spread to) then its incurable.

The Prostate Cancer UK website is worth a visit

Bill; Good bloke, met him a few times years ago 

[graveyard johnny]

some lovely sentiments from the sky team on tonight's pre match build up - thankyou Bill

[Northern Eel]

2 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

some lovely sentiments from the sky team on tonight's pre match build up - thankyou Bill

Amazing how everyone’s sentiments about him are almost word for word the same. That just shows the measure of the man. 

[Old Frightful]

One of life's good guys.

RIP Bill Arthur.

[r1ch1e]

On 25/07/2024 at 17:41, graveyard johnny said:

very sad news indeed - have eddie and stevo commented at all?

Yep. They were quoted on the SkySports article

[Pete Grady]

On 25/07/2024 at 18:17, Double Knock On said:

A couple of my close friends have PC. Neither had any symptoms related to PC. One was picked up with a routine PSA at his GP- he has "Locally Advanced PC" & is undergoing hormone and radiotherapy. The other thought he had a calf strain but it was PC in his hip bone that had blocked his femoral artery- he was dead within 6 months

The Digital Rectal Examination only picks up PC that has broken the Prostate wall (I think it was Billy Connolly who said it feels like a walnut not a grape).

The PSA blood test is non-invasive, and while it may give false positives (e.g., excessive cycling, anal sex) it should certainly be taken by all men over 60. One in eight men get PC. If caught early, it is very easily dealt with, caught a bit later you have a fighting chance, if it's already in your bones (and the pelvic bone is one of he first places it can spread to) then its incurable.

The Prostate Cancer UK website is worth a visit

Bill; Good bloke, met him a few times years ago 

Very good post Double Knock ON, I too live with prostate cancer, the  "Locally Advanced PC" & is undergoing hormone and radiotherapy' type and treatment'. I wish your friend well, it's quite a shocker to be diagnosed, but now after 7 years  I'm used to it and accept that it will probaably come back.  But heigh ho, dementure, heart problems or cancer are the routes most of us go down.

Rest in peace Bill.

[Barry Badrinath]

bit of a shocker this when i heard about it at the time.

 

So you'll recall that certain clubs stadiums were being used for games during covid when they finished 2020 and start of 21, at the HJ they erected a mahoosive wooden/scaffold platform underneath the regular comm gantry, this was left up when the stadiums were opened up, and i ended up standing to the left hand side of this.

 

this meant two things

 

1, a good third of the pitch was obscured by the gantry, and the boards that carney et al used to their pre match/half time ######.

2, the commentary team was in the open and and open season for wire fans, being 'colourful' shall we say during the game.

 

i've witnessed bill arthur do a full game of commentary while some old pisspot sank several blue wkds (note, these aren't sold in the ground) and then was persistantly climbing up said scaffold shouting "BILL BILL!" trying to get his attention, and then moving onto barrie mcdermot.

 

this also meant he had to make his way through the crowd at half time to go for a pee, and even though he was on the clock he'd have a quick word with anyone that collared him and be super nice about it.

 

he disagree'd (quite rightly) with the appointment of daryl powell and thought very highly of jake mamo, 

 

RIP bill

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

On 25/07/2024 at 18:17, Double Knock On said:

A couple of my close friends have PC. Neither had any symptoms related to PC. One was picked up with a routine PSA at his GP- he has "Locally Advanced PC" & is undergoing hormone and radiotherapy. The other thought he had a calf strain but it was PC in his hip bone that had blocked his femoral artery- he was dead within 6 months

The Digital Rectal Examination only picks up PC that has broken the Prostate wall (I think it was Billy Connolly who said it feels like a walnut not a grape).

The PSA blood test is non-invasive, and while it may give false positives (e.g., excessive cycling, anal sex) it should certainly be taken by all men over 60. One in eight men get PC. If caught early, it is very easily dealt with, caught a bit later you have a fighting chance, if it's already in your bones (and the pelvic bone is one of he first places it can spread to) then its incurable.

The Prostate Cancer UK website is worth a visit

Bill; Good bloke, met him a few times years ago 

Can you request the test for PC?