by Bob Coulter.
IF a more unmistakable figure ever strode a Rugby League arena than Billy Ivison, then I never saw him.The bald pate was an instant giveaway, but moreover it was his stylish and vigorous contribution during the ensuing battle which confirmed who the wearer of the number thirteen jersey was.
Billy became the first and only home based Cumbrian to win the coveted Lance Todd trophy, in the years which have followed, only two other sons of the county - both in exile - Dick Huddart with St. Helens, and Castleford's Bill Kirkbride have been similarly honoured.
Arguably, the Counties finest ever loose-forward, Billy was respected by every forward he ever came into contact with, and each and everyone of them agreed that he was most unfortunate not to receive a greater share of international honours.
Hensingham born Ivison acquired his rugby spurs with Moresby Rugby Union Club before unleashing his devastating talents on the Rugby League world.
Not with Workington Town who were to be so richly rewarded with his skills when they entered the league in season 1945-46, but with York for whom he guested during the Second World War.
Billy Ivison was a man both feared and admired by opponents and fans alike during his heyday. And when Workington Town won the League Championship and Rugby League Challenge Cup, was considered by many to be the best loose-forward in the game.
When Gus Risman lifted the Challenge Cup on behalf of the victorious Workington Town team in 1952, for the first and only time. It was Billy who left Wembley clutching the Lance Todd Trophy in the knowledge that five of the six men entrusted with adjudging the man of the match had awarded him the accolade.
As one scribe wrote at the time "Billy Ivison was the all-round star of the game. He was involved in virtually every telling movement and was also instrumental in the crucial second-half try."
That Workington Town won Rugby Leagues top two prizes within seven years of their formation was nothing short of momentous. Billy shone like a beacon in a team of shining stars. Wembley was merely a stage on which he proved once and for all how great a player he really was. Not that Town fans needed convincing, the previous season he had displayed all his vast attributes as Town ground Warrington into the Maine Road mud at Manchester - Harry Bath and all - to lift the Championship in front of a 61,000 crowd.
Minutes into the second period, Billy, carrying a jaw injury from the semi-final play-off against Wigan a week earlier broke his jaw. Not that anyone in the vast crowd would have been aware as he courageously continued to play a vital role in the victory.
Like some great illusionist, Billy possessed almost magical sleight-of-hand, his ultimate trick being to hoist the ball on to his fingertips which bewildered defences throughout the land, It was a ploy either enjoyed or loathed by fans the length and breadth of the country - depending on which favours you sported
In a golden era of superb loose-forwards Harry Street (Dewsbury) and Dave Valentine (Huddersfield) usually got the nod when international football selection was in the offing, leaving Billy in a Cumbrian wilderness that also befell others from the County who had they been born on the right side of the Lancashire and Yorkshire boundaries would have been fixtures in the international set-up. Justice was done however, when he received England and British Empire calls. But it was still scant reward for a man who caused havoc in opposition ranks in either attacking or defensive mode.
Billy's first call-up to England duty came in the International Championship series of 1949-50, against Other Nationalities at Borough Park. It was a debut which saw the local miners and steelworkers starting their shift four hours early so that they could get home in time to go to the match, which drew an attendance of 17,576. It wasn't to be an happy occasion for Bill, or his clubmates, Jimmy Hayton and Johnny Lawrenson - England losing 7-13. But at least the Town supporters had the consolation for their early start to the day in seeing two of their 'own,' Australian's Tony Paskins and Johnny Mudge finish on the winning side as members of the Other Nationalities side.
The following season, Other Nationalities were to deny Ivison a victory in an England jersey a second time, in the European Championship game at Central Park, Wigan. Eppie Gibson, another Town favourite was also in the England side that lost 10-35. John Mudge, a third 'Towner' scoring one of the 'Nats' six tries.
Bill's final call to 'arms' came in '52, and the joy was again marred by defeat. The British Empire side, containing the likes of Doug Greenall, Alan Prescott and Nat Silcock, met France in Paris, and were beaten 12-22, by a French X111 led by the legendary Puig-Albert, whose five goals proved decisive.
In ten years of representing Cumberland (which included the County Championship title of 1948-49) perhaps the most memorable of a string of stirring performances came against the Australian tourists that same season at Whitehaven's Recreation Ground. And how he revelled in a magnificent display of adroit handling and unyielding defence to nullify his direct opponent, Australian Test loose-forward Les Cowie. Billy virtually booked his place in the history books that day with the crucial try in a famous 5-4 victory over the Kangaroos.
Cumberland followed that outstanding feat by winning the County Championship for the first time since the triple successes of 1933-35.
In the run up to the triangular competition Yorkshire decided to approach both Lancashire and Cumberland in an effort to change the qualification rule for players (ie) must be born in the County. Ken Traill was quickly withdrawn from the Yorkshire side when it was discovered that he was born in Northumberland, although he had lived in Leeds since he was 18 months old. It was revealed that Les White (born in Lincoln) and Gwyn Gronow (Australia) had broken the existing rule - in view of the row surrounding Alan Tait's selection for Cumbria more than 40 years later, it seems nothing much changes. Bill went on to play a full part in the title win with one of his sides two tries in the 14-0 victory over the Tykes at Borough Park, Workington. And proved a driving force in the 15-9 win at Salford's Willows over Lancashire in the clincher.
No less an authority on Rugby League prowess than Jim Brough was once moved to comment that Ivison was the best loose-forward he had seen in twenty-five years and his none selection for the 1950 Gt. Britain tour to Australia was nothing short of tragic.
Bill made a second Challenge Cup Final appearance before hanging-up his boots, this time collecting a losers medal in 1955 as Barrow won the day 21-12.
He was tempted back to Town in a coaching capacity and although the halcyon days had gone forever Bill added more silverware to the clubs honours-board by masterminding the 1962 Western Division Final triumph over Widnes.
Billy always retained his lifelong interest in Town and was a familiar spectator at games both home and away - still held in the same high esteem that was reserved for him at the height of his fame.
The world of Rugby League and Workington Town in particular was deeply saddened when Billy passed away aged 79, on March 12, 2000.
Billy Ivison was a true champion player of British Rugby League, more importantly he was a nice man.
WORKINGTON TOWN RECORD
Appearances: 348.
Tries: 63.
Goals: 8.
Points: 205.
CUMBERLAND RECORD
Appearances: 14.
Tries: 3.
Points: 9.