8 replies to this topic

[DJGAZZA]

Well done to my old form teacher

http://www.skysports...6623680,00.html

[Phyll]

Yes Congratulations to Ray French and all the others who have received New Year Honours.
Another St. Helens one was Patricia Bacon, Principal of St. Helens College made DBE.
Here is a link to the full list.

[Olliebeak]

Well done to Ray French - my memory of him is also from Cowley.

He was responsible for organising/supervising the Christian Union Group. This was a debating group for ages 15+, for both schools, held at the Boys School (Hard Lane) on a fortnightly basis. He would make sure we were all settled, introduce a topic for discussion (usually submitted by one of the group), hang around for a while to be sure the discussion 'took off' and then leave us to it - probably to go and supervise detention or something similar .

[Alan]

Long overdue for all the reasons above plus:

Played international at Rugby League and Rugby Union

Wrote at least half a dozen books on the game

Work tirelessly for the junior and amateur game's expansion

BBC TV and local radio RL commentator

Always has time for anyone

Top raconteur

Top guy all round

[leschip]

Ray French----- GENTLEMAN. Well deserving of this award. Should have been a Knighthood

[Alan]

This is his publisher's comment:

PUBLISHERS DELIGHTS AT AUTHOR'S AWARD

Scratching Shed Publishing have sent their heartiest congratulations to author Ray French on his awarding of the MBE in the New Year Honours List for services to sport.

The distinguished, much admired dual code rugby international and the BBC's voice of rugby league for almost 30 years has been one of the code's most passionate supporters, championing countless branches of the community game after excelling on the field for St Helens, Widnes and his country.

A former teacher at Cowley School, he has recently penned 'Ray French...and Rugby' for Leeds-based Scratching Shed, using his 60 year involvement in league and union to assess the current health of both sports, combined with a liberal sprinkling of lovingly told anecdotes taken from his career with ball and microphone.

Co-directors Phil Caplan and Tony Hannan commented, "There could be no more deserved recipient of such an accolade as Ray, he has been selfless in his support of the game."

"Naturally, on hearing of the award he immediately shied away from the huge personal honour and accepted it on behalf of the code which means so much to him but there is no doubt that he is one of rugby league's greatest advocates and nicest men."

The book, which sold particularly well in the run up to Christmas aided by an author's tour which saw Ray undertake a number of signings in the North West, has gone into reprint and there will be a new passage commenting on the MBE and what it means to him in the second edition.

In 2011 Ray will be appearing at Oldham Library on 25th February and in the Wigan Words Literary Festival as part of Scratching Shed's 'In League with Literature' event and at other book signings.

[clocker baz]

Some of the people who get these awards dont deserve them.But this man Ray French IS WELL DESERVING. Love to hear his dulcet St Helens twang on the RL games ,always talks sense. Well done Ray

[Dicky D]

It's about time too. Congratulations Ray, it should have been a knighthood!

[Dicky D]

Ray French had a daughter born in Cowley Hill maternity Hospital in May 1965. His daughter and mine were in adjoining cots. I often wondered what become of her as he never mentions his family in his writings.