The RFL pays tribute to Ray French MBE

The Rugby Football League sends condolences to the family, former team-mates, media colleagues and many friends of Ray French MBE, who has died at the age of 85.

Ray made an immense and unique contribution to the sport of Rugby League, initially as a player for his hometown St Helens and then Widnes, and as a dual code international as he represented England in rugby union and Great Britain in league.

But he will be best remembered as the BBC’s Rugby League commentator from 1981, when he succeeded Eddie Waring, to 2008, when he was succeeded by Dave Woods.

In that role, he was the voice of almost 30 Challenge Cup Finals, including the 1985 classic between Wigan and Hull, and Martin Offiah’s iconic try for Wigan against Leeds in 1994.

He commentated on thousands more matches, mostly involving St Helens, Widnes or Warrington, for BBC Radio Merseyside, and was the Rugby League correspondent for the Today newspaper when it was launched in 1986.

He was perfectly qualified, given his knowledge of Rugby League and also his eloquence as an English teacher at Cowley High School.

Ray was awarded the MBE in the 2011 New Year’s Honours for services to Rugby League, having received the Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award the previous year, and been added to the RFL’s Roll of Honour in 2008.

In 2019, when the RFL launched the 1895 Cup and polled supporters for a fitting name for the player of the match award in the Wembley Final, Ray was a landslide winner.

He presented the first award in 2019 and his son, Gary, presented the sixth to the York Knights captain Liam Harris last month.

Nigel Wood OBE, the Chair of Rugby League Commercial, said:

“Ray French was one of the true gentlemen of Rugby League and represented the finest qualities of the sport. A great player, broadcaster and a huge influence behind the scenes, and always as a force for good.”

Philip Bernie, head of BBC Sport Events, said:

"Ray French was a true giant in the sport of Rugby League.

"Following his remarkable playing career - an international in both rugby codes - he became the voice of the sport. For nearly 40 years, his distinctive, warm, energetic and enthusiastic commentary magnificently embellished the BBC's coverage of the game.

"He was such a likeable and engaging broadcaster, and, for those lucky enough to know him, a really wonderful, loveable man. We are so saddened by the news today and send all our thoughts and sympathies to Ray's family."

Eamonn McManus, the Chairman of St Helens, said:

"Ray French was a giant of a man in every sense of the word.

"He touched and influenced so many people and in so many good and lasting ways during his rich and varied life as a schoolmaster, a rugby player and a broadcaster.

"His warm personality and unique voice will be sorely missed by all. But he leaves a permanent and meaningful legacy to so many in his home town of St Helens and throughout his beloved sport of rugby league.

"One of my greatest privileges as chairman of St Helens over the last 25 years was getting to know Ray as a friend as well as an iconic figure in our sport.

"His loss is keenly felt and we all pass on our heartfelt condolences to his family to whom he was so close."

Photo courtesy of Andrew Varley.