In Memoriam: Frank Wilson

Frank first signed for the Saints from Cardiff RFC in 1968, and he had the near-impossible task of replacing the legendary Tom van Vollenhoven! It is a fitting testimony to his football ability that he became a true St.Helens ‘great,’ making over 300 appearances for the club, scoring 176 tries.

Born in Cardiff in 1944 and a product of Llandaff North, Frank made his debut for his home city against the Barbarians on 7th October 1964. The Cardiff RUFC website in their Black History Month described him as: “not the first person of colour to represent his home city at rugby union. But he was the first Cardaffian of colour to become a first team fixture and begin making a case for international honours.”

Frank was a regular try-scorer in a strong Cardiff team with the likes of Barry John and Gareth Edwards, representing East Wales against the All Blacks in 1967 and scored the try giving them a 3-3 draw against the tourists. “Frank played for Cardiff schoolboys with me,” remembers former Widnes forward Jim Mills. “We played together for Cardiff, too, including a memorable game against the Barbarians when they opened the floodlights at Cardiff Arms Park. In later years we played in the same Welsh rugby league team during the 1975 World Championships.”

For whatever reason, international honours were not forthcoming, and Frank took the professional route north. Initially, he trialled with Wigan, but they decided against signing him – a decision that would come back to haunt them. Along came the Saints and they secured his signature for £2,000, with a further £1,000 after completion of ten first team matches. He adapted brilliantly to his new code and soon began to demonstrate his wide range of skills. His first touch on debut against Whitehaven at Knowsley Road was a fabulous 90 yard interception try. “I went to his debut match,” says Saints’ Chairman Eamonn McManus. “He was down as A N Other in the programme, if I remember correctly. He became a childhood hero of mine in the Red Vee afterwards for sure.”

Frank had lightening speed off the mark, a mesmerising body swerve and the ability to maintain his pace over long distances. He was also a terrific defender, who could blot out an opponent, if required to do so. Frank could look after himself on the field in those days and had the potential skills of a light middleweight boxer to deter any over-aggressive opponent!

Frank won his first honour as a Saint in the 1968 Lancashire Cup Final against Oldham, when he scored two brilliant tries in his team’s 30-2 success. He finished his first campaign with 25 touchdowns and looked forward to further glory with the club. Yet he was to miss two consecutive Championship Finals over the next few years. Somewhat unorthodox in his approach, he sometimes made errors of judgement. One such gaffe in the Championship semi-final against Castleford, despite scoring a superb hat-trick, influenced Coach Cliff Evans to leave him out of the 1970 clash with Leeds at Odsal. He was replaced by second-rower Eric Prescott, who potentially spared the coach’s blushes with a fine display. In 1971, after another brilliant season, Frank missed the Final against Wigan after picking up a severe ankle injury and was replaced by Bob Blackwood.

Wilson made 40 appearances during the 1971-72 campaign, scoring 17 tries and was an integral member of the side that lifted the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy and the Challenge Cup against Leeds at Wembley. Tough as nails, he did a superb defensive job on his opposite number, Alan Smith and made several vital runs into enemy territory as pressure mounted on his team-mates. Frank picked up a First Division Championship medal in 1974-75, operating mostly as centre to Les Jones. A further BBC2 success against Dewsbury followed in 1975-76 and just when the business end of the season approached, he missed out on a second Wembley appearance courtesy of a niggling injury, with Coach Eric Ashton handing over one substitute spot to youngster Peter Glynn before the final against Widnes.

Frank moved on to Workington at the end of the campaign and later played with distinction for Salford, before a final hurrah with the Cardiff Blue Dragons in 1981-82, together with his former Saints’ team-mates Tony Karalius, Ken Gwilliam and George Nicholls. He also represented his native Wales on 14 occasions, making his debut against England at Salford in 1968 on the right wing and took part in the 1975 World Championships in Australia and New Zealand. Frank also coached Pilks Recs for a spell too, in the 1980s. He was a real crowd favourite, who just loved playing and being involved with rugby.

A member of the St Helens Players Association’s Hall of Fame, Frank was a popular member of the Saints squad and could count on the likes of Eric Prescott, Geoff Pimblett and Les Jones, among others as good friends over the years at Knowsley Road.

Everyone at St Helens R.F.C. sends their condolences to Frank’s family at this sad time.