It’s not long until our special Sportsman’s Dinner at Sixways on Thursday, February 16 when the legendary Bill Beaumont will appear at the home of the Warriors!
Former England international Beaumont has enjoyed a memorable career both on and off the field – and all with the same club team as he played for Fylde from 1969, when he was 17-years-old, and stayed until injury forced his retirement in 1982.
He won 34 caps for England, then a record for a lock, and was captain 21 times. He made his international debut as a 22-year-old in Dublin in 1975 as a late replacement for Roger Uttley. He toured Australia in 1975, Japan, Fiji and Tonga in 1979, and Argentina in 1981 with England. He played 15 times for the Barbarians, including the match against the All Blacks in 1978.
Beaumont took part in the 1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand after being called up as a replacement when Nigel Horton broke his thumb, and played in the final three tests. Legend has it that when Bill Beaumont arrived in New Zealand, Willie Duggan sidled up to him at the airport and whispered: “If I were you, Bill, I'd flick off home on the next plane.”
He took over as England captain in Paris in 1978 and led them to victory over the All Blacks in 1979 and a first Grand Slam for 23 years in 1980. Three years later, the Lancastrian's selection as captain of the Lions tour to South Africa surprised no-one at all. Beaumont also captained the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa playing in 10 of the 18 matches. He was the first English captain of the Lions since Doug Prentice in 1930.
Beaumont retired from rugby because of injury in 1982. However, he went on to be another captain, this time on the BBC quiz show A Question of Sport. Since 1999 he has also represented England on the International Rugby Board and was the tour manager for the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. He is an Honorary President of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland. Already Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours.
The evening will include a three-course meal, guest speaker and comedian. The price is just £40 per person. To book call the events team on 01905 459351 or email events@warriors.co.uk