Bill Patterson (rugby union)

William Michael Patterson (11 April 1936 – January 1999) was an English rugby union player who played in the Centre position. Patterson played club rugby for Sale RFC, Gloucester RFC, Wasps FC and Chiltern RFC, was capped twice for the England national team, and was a member of the British Lions team that toured in 1959.

Bill Patterson

Birth name	William Michael Patterson
Date of birth	11 April 1936
Place of birth	Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
School	Sale Grammar School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1954–1965 1959 1965–1968 1969–1970 Sale RFC Gloucester RFC Wasps FC Chiltern RFC (?) (?) (?) (?) National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1961 1959 England British and Irish Lions 2 1 (0) (0)

Club career

While a pupil at Sale Grammar School for Boys, Patterson represented Cheshire Schools. He joined Sale RFC in 1954, spending the majority of his playing career at the club including a stint as club captain from 1960 until 1963. Aside from a brief appearance for Gloucester RFC in 1959, Patterson remained at Sale until 1965, when he moved to join Wasps FC in London.[1] After leaving Wasps in 1968, Patterson was persuaded to join Chiltern RFC in the 1969–70 season, where he played for a season.

International and invitational appearances

The injury of Niall Brophy saw Patterson being called up to the British Lions team during their 1959 tour.[2] He played in ten matches against regional opponents during the tour scoring eight tries, and also played in the third test match against New Zealand.[3]

Patterson made his debut for England against South Africa at Twickenham in January 1961.[4] His only other appearance for the national team came during the 1961 Five Nations Championship against Scotland when he was called into the squad to replace the injured Richard Sharp.[1]

Patterson represented the North West Counties against three international teams - Australia in 1958, South Africa in 1960, and New Zealand in 1964.[1]

Patterson played for the invitational Barbarians team on six occasions; against East Midlands, Cardiff and Newport during the 1959 Easter Tour, against Cardiff and Newport during the 1960 Easter Tour and against East Midlands in 1961.[5]

References

1. Cook, Roger. 80 seasons at Amersham & Chiltern RFC. pp. 80–81.
2. Thomas, Clem; Thomas, Greg (2013). 125 Years of The British and Irish Lions. Mainstream Publishing. pp. 226-227. ISBN 9781780576657.
3. "Player: Bill Patterson". LionsRugby.com.
4. "Player: Bill Patterson". ESPN Rugby.
5. "Player Archive - W. M. Patterson". Barbarian Rugby Football Club.