The Rugby Football League and RL Commercial join Sky Sports in paying tribute to Bill Arthur, who has been a mainstay of their Super League coverage over four decades – and sending condolences to his family and friends.
Bill died on Wednesday at the age of 68, having defied and made light of a 2011 prostate cancer diagnosis to extend his ever-present record at Super League Grand Finals to 26, commentating on Jack Welsby’s dramatic match-winning try for St Helens against Wigan in 2020, and for his final match behind the microphone as Wigan beat Catalans Dragons at Old Trafford last October.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, President of the Rugby Football League and Speaker of the House of Commons, said:
“Bill Arthur has been a constant in Sky’s coverage of Rugby League going back before the start of Super League, and on behalf of the sport and the RFL, I send my sincere condolences to his family and friends. There was always great humour as well as knowledge and professionalism in his commentary and interviews, and he will be fondly remembered for making a major contribution to our sport.”
Andy Wilson, Head of Media for Rugby League Commercial, said:
“Bill Arthur has been an unsung hero of Sky’s Rugby League coverage since the very start. He might not have the recognition factor of Eddie or Stevo – but that’s the way he preferred it – and on behalf of us all in Rugby League administration, as well as my former colleagues in the media, I send deep condolences to all Bill’s Sky Sports colleagues past and present, and to his family and friends.
“As a broadcaster, and in conversation, he was erudite, with a twinkle of mischief never far from the surface – a combination which made him unusually popular with those he interviewed on the touchline then commentated on. He came relatively late to Rugby League but his love for the sport and especially its eccentricities, as well as his respect for the players, was unmistakeable in his coverage.”
Supporters will be invited to join a minute’s applause before each of this weekend’s six Betfred Super League fixtures, all of which will be shown live on Sky Sports – starting with tonight’s match between Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos at the John Smith’s Stadium.
