Willie Horne

Willie Horne (23 January 1922 in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire – 25 March 2001) was an English rugby league footballer. He played for Great Britain, England, Lancashire and Barrow between 1943 to 1959 and captained all four sides. He captained Great Britain in a test series against Australia (1952) in the days when Great Britain could beat the Aussies. What people forget is that he played out his career behind an honest but ordinary pack of forwards, which provided moderate possession and protection for its half backs. If he had played behind the Wigan pack of the forties, Egan, Gee, Blan etc. who knows what he would have achieved. Moreover he did far more than his share of tackling and never missed a tackle regardless of size and momentum. This kind of graft was usually avoided by the thoroughbreds in the game. On two occasions at least he beat a peerless Wigan side at Craven Park virtually on his own before 20,000 spectators (Barrow population 60,000, allowing for babies and pensioners, they were all at the match!). He revolutionised the game with his side foot place kicking, now the norm in both codes and the ability to pass a heavy often wet rugby ball like a bullet twenty yards straight to either wing, missing out his centre three-quarters if need be, with the accuracy of any American quarter-back. Those of us who were lucky enough to see him play know we have seen a one-off. Nature broke the mould as they say, after producing one of its marvels. Billy explored intuitively every potential the game of rugby, as it was then, possessed. He never knew himself what he would do next as the game unfolded. There was no hint of the coaching manual about his game, everything seemed original and unique. He treated us to many a feast. His sportsmanship and generosity as a player were exemplary and the same spirit spilled over into his life generally. His wife had to send him into the back room of his sports shop because he found it easier to give stuff away rather than sell it. He was also an outstanding cricketer and could have made it at Old Trafford. See also obituary in the Independent.

His most famous moment came when he lifted the Challenge Cup in 1955 as captain of his home town club, Barrow after beating Workington Town 21-12 in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Willie Horne is believed by many who saw him play to be the greatest rugby league player of all time.

Willie Horne's Testimonial match took place in 1955.

He was inducted into the Barrow club's Hall of Fame when it was launched in 2001 alongside 1950s team-mates Phil Jackson and Jimmy Lewthwaite.

He died at his home in 2001 and a statue of him now stands opposite Craven Park, the home of Barrow Raiders.