Bobby Wanbon, who has passed away aged 78, was a tearaway back-rower during an impressive rugby union career which began with the Aberavon Green Stars junior club. As a fully-fledged first-teamer with Aberavon, he achieved Welsh selection for the game against England at Twickenham on 20th January 1968.
Saints Heritage Number #849
Born: Port Talbot 16th November 1943
Died: Tenerife 8th November 2022
A rumbustious player, who revelled in attack, he scored a key try that afternoon when he picked up from a set scrum and powered his way over. Fly-half Barry John later added a drop-goal to tie the match at 11-11. Unfortunately, Bobby was dropped for the next game, against Scotland, which was the impetus for him to turn professional. After much media conjecture, St Helens, who had been monitoring his situation closely, snapped him up for a fee reputed to be £4,500.
A bricklayer by trade, his style of play was certainly suited to the 13-a-side code and Wanbon made his debut in the red vee in a league match at Mount Pleasant, Batley on 17th February 1968, in a closely-fought 18-12 victory for his new club. There were four other former Welsh rugby union players on view for Saints that day: Kel Coslett, John Warlow, Graham Rees and Cen Williams, as Bobby took his place in the second row.
At 15½ stones and just over 6 feet, Bobby was an all-action player and became a favourite with the Knowsley Road faithful. He was a member of a powerful back row that also included the likes of local lad Eric Chisnall, John Mantle and Graham Rees. Wanbon made 79 appearances for the Saints, scoring 18 tries and was always relied upon to provide extra oomph to a flagging pack when he came off the bench, which he did so on 16 occasions. His vigorous style of play and commitment to the cause occasionally meant that he picked up injuries and he missed out on the Saints’ run to the Championship final at the end of the 1969-70 campaign. He was a forward substitute the following year when Wigan were defeated at Swinton in a marvellous back-to-back title triumph.
Bobby’s final game for the Saints was a 21-14 victory at home to Workington Town on 30th August 1971. He was in his customary second row position, partnered by fellow Welshman John Mantle, although he could play in the front row with equal effect. It was then that Warrington signed him and another chapter of his career unfurled with the Wires, who became a powerful outfit in the early and mid-1970s under Coach Alex Murphy, particularly in the forwards. He played against Saints when Warrington won the Club Championship final 13-21 at Wigan in 1973-74. Bobby also saw success in the Captain Morgan trophy, John Player trophy and played at Wembley twice, winning the Challenge Cup in 1974 when Warrington beat Featherstone Rovers, with three other players with Saints’ connections in the Warrington team: Alan Whittle, Derek Noonan and Dave Chisnall.
Bobby became a dual code international when he made his Welsh debut [Heritage Number #274] from the bench in a 24-17 victory against England at Salford on 7th November 1968. There were five other Saints’ players in the team: Frank Wilson, John Warlow, Graham Rees, John Mantle and Captain Kel Coslett. He made 4 appearances in the scarlet jersey whilst a Saint and with Warrington took part in the extended World Championship series in 1975, including a memorable 12-7 success over the English at Brisbane on 10th June. He won a total of 7 caps overall.
Like so many of his countrymen, he settled in the North West and became a publican [he lived originally in the Railway Tavern Hotel in Aberavon] in the Warrington area, from 1977-1999, including The Prince of Wales, Old Ball, The Howley, The King and Queen, before finishing at the Red Lion in Stockton Heath.
Everyone at St Helens RFC send their condolences to his wife, Jean, daughter Claire and grandson Bobby at this sad time.
