'A true gentleman'

Last updated: 27th March 2008

eric ashton mbe

Eric Ashton MBE

Eric leaves a wonderful legacy in terms of the game of rugby league but also in terms of being a human being - and I don't think you can go out of the world on better terms.

Shaun McRae
Quotes of the week

Eric Ashton MBE
January 24, 1935-March 20, 2008
Playing career
Wigan (1955-69) 479apps
231 tries, 448 goals, 1,589pts
Great Britain (1957-69) 26apps
Highlights
The first rugby league to be honoured by the Queen in 1996
Inducted to the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2005
Only man to coach, captain and chair a club to Challenge Cup success

Related links

Teams

  • Bradford Bulls
  • Castleford Tigers

Friends, former colleagues and the world of rugby league have paid glowing tributes to the late Eric Ashton MBE.

The man who was known as the Prince of Centres in his playing days and remains the only man to coach, captain and chair a club a Challenge Cup-winning side passed away last week at the age of 73, after a long battle with cancer.

And in a special Boots 'n' All tribute featuring long-time friend, Alex Murphy OBE, former centre partner Billy Boston MBE and the man who coached under him as St Helens chairman, Shaun McRae, Ashton was remembered with great fondness.

McRae led the way, highlighting that it was not only his exploits on the field, but his all-round persona that made Ashton such a popular figure wherever he went.

"I've never heard anybody have a bad word to say about Eric Ashton," he said.

"He was a wonderful person, a credit to the game of rugby league, a credit to his family and a credit to himself. I can't praise him highly enough and I am sorry that he had to leave us.

"But he leaves a wonderful legacy in terms of the game of rugby league but also in terms of a human being - and I don't think you can go out of the world on better terms."

McRae worked under Ashton at St Helens at the start of the Super League era, along with David Howes and the late Mike Gregory.

And he could not speak highly enough of the way his former chairman conducted himself.

"Eric was always very supportive and you were fortunate that you could go in and talk to someone about life and rugby league to somebody who had experienced everything as a player and a coach - and somebody who had so many years on him," he said.

Perfect gentleman

"He was very worldly. He was a big family man too, very high morals and ethics and all my memories of him are fond ones."

Tributes also came in from current RFL Executive Chairman, Richard Lewis, who described Ashton as "a true sportsman and a perfect gentleman", and current Saints chairman, Eamonn McManus, who said he was "one of the best in a golden era".

It was left to Alex Murphy MBE to sum the man up best - even though he believes Ashton made a mistake moving to Wigan, where he spent his 14-year playing career and forged an historic partnership with Boston.

Following a short stint as player coach there, Ashton moved on to Leeds and then to Saints where he eventually took over as chairman in 1996.

And for a man that had connections right across the rugby league board, he will be sadly missed by friend and foe alike.

"He was an absolutely super guy," said Murphy. "I had 50 years with the man; I went on tour with him, I played against him.

"He was a great man. I don't think - and it's strange to say this - I've ever heard anybody have a bad word to say about him."

Send us your memories of and tributes to Eric Ashton MBE by filling in the feedback form below...

Post to your View!

Be the first to post a comment on this story

Add Comment*

All fields are required

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

Character Count : 0/1950

Please tick here if you wish to receive emails relating to Sky Sports.com or any other companies, services or products related to Sky Sports.com

Please send me the weekly Sky Sportszine - exclusive content, features and competitions to my inbox every Friday.

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private