Former Great Britain Rugby League coach, Maurice Bamford, tells the story of one his heroes from the game: Vince Karalius. Maurice relates how young Vince signed for the great St Helens club in 1952 and quickly carved out a reputation as one of the toughest and most skilful forwards in the game, winning many trophies with the team, including the Challenge Cup in 1956 and 1961 (as captain). Selected for the 1958 tour down-under, he established himself as the scourge of the Australians and earned the nickname from the Aussie press: 'the Wild Bull of the Pampas'. Moving on to his home town club, Widnes, Vince captained the team to victory in the Challenge Cup in 1964. Then returning as coach in 1972, he steered the club to the Lancashire Cup and the Challenge Cup in 1975 and developed a skilful, athletic team that earned the title 'Cup Kings' over the next decade. After a sojourn coaching the mighty Wigan, Vince returned once more to Widnes and again guided the club to Wembley glory in 1984.
In 2000, Vince Karalius became one of the few players inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in recognition of his awesome ability on the pitch and his technical and tactical 'nous' as a coach. Maurice Bamford captures the essence and character of this tremendous hero in "Vince Karalius: A Rugby League Legend".
- ISBN10 1904091164
- ISBN13 9781904091165
- Publish Date 6 May 2006
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 29 December 2006
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Vertical Editions
- Format Paperback
- Pages 208
- Language English