League fans go unheeded

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34138, 27 April 1976, Page 38

League fans go unheeded

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) LONDON.

The latest attack by English rugby league fans on television coverage of the game in general, and commentator Eddie Waring in particular, seems unlikely to spark any change.

Although St Helens-based supporters caused a stir by announcing that they were handing in a petition containing 10,000 signatures to the 8.8. C. deploring “insulting” commentaries, Waring already has sound support from two officials. The chairman of the Leeds club, Jack Myerscough, said: “What is 10,000 among Eddie’s millions of fans? They are making a ghastly mistake.

"A 8.8. C. spokesman has told me Eddie Waring is often criticised, but so are all commentators.”

The English league secretary, David Oxley, said: “I think Eddie does a good job. I would not pretend there are

not a number of pressure groups within the game who would like to see him go.” Mr Oxley said that the English league had no more right to dictate who the 8.8. C. chose for a commentator than the television authorities had to say who should referee the matches.

Waring, 66, has been commentating since rugby league was first televised nearly 25 years ago, and has often had to ward off protests from angry fans. The most astonishing attack came four and a half years ago from a Manchesterbased firm of consultants who were appointed by the English league to look into the game. The consultants, John Caine Associates, Ltd, produced a lengthy report, part of which commented on television coverage and said:

“The choice of commentator is unfortunate — Eddie Waring has little credibility as a serious interpreter of the game.

“He may well be immensely entertaining and amusing, but the laughter is patronising and lends support to the view of the rugby league held by Midland and southern watchers.”

The remarks gained huge publicity in rugby league areas, and Waring said he was astounded, as he loved the game and it was part of his life.

“I know I get carried away when I am commentating .on a match, but no-one has ever complained about my accent,” he said. After this latest petition was announced last week, attempts were again made to contact Waring. But he was said to be away on various appointments. In recent years television and radio impressionists have made impersonations of Waring an essential part of their acts. This has scarcely helped to pacify irate league fans. University students have formed Eddie Waring societies and members wear his now-famous Trilby hat and imitate his “nasal accent” — as the Caine report described it.

Waring has often helped over the years to stage functions when players have had testimonial seasons, and he is a money-raising asset. He claims his “jokesy” at-

titude towards Rugby league began when he was commentating on “an insultingly lousy” match and he was concerned viewers would switch off.

Since then his approach as snowballed. The problem is that true-blue fans hate the image of Rugby league that is projected, while viewers in non-league areas — particularly the south of England — find him amusing. But rumours that Waring will be replaced by the 8.8. C. persist. Among those mentioned as a replacement is Salford’s Welsh international, David Watkins, who was given the job of commenting at intervals during a Wembly match and created a big impression.

Some club officials may criticise Waring in private but are not so forthcoming in public — perhaps they are fearful of losing the $6OOO each club receives annually from television contracts.

But whatever the criticisms of him, Waring is still in demand as a speaker at functions, business lunches and dinners. He is invariably well received. Off-screen, he is a lover of hymn singing. Last year he was elected president of the Shipley (Yorkshire) Wesleyan Reform Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, and three weeks ago was reelected.

No petition can take that away from him.