Hull FC are saddened to learn of the passing of former player Bill Ramsey.
Ramsey, who also represented Leeds, Hunslet, Bradford Northern and Widnes during a glittering career, passed away yesterday at the age of 76.
The former Great Britain international forward began his career in West Yorkshire with Hunslet in 1962, before making the move to Leeds five seasons later for a £10,000 transfer fee where he would remarkably feature in 17 major finals over the course of the next 7 years, including in the memorable ‘watersplash’ final against Wakefield in 1968.
He would collect a medal from every major competition in the English game during this remarkable spell.
He was an ever-present in the 1965 test series against New Zealand and was selected for the 1966 Great Britain Lions tour to Australasia, along with our own Arthur Keegan. In all, he played in eight test matches for GB and also for Yorkshire on some six occasions in the County Championship.
After a brief spell with Bradford Northern in 1974, the powerhouse prop made the move to the Black & Whites for the end of the 1974-75 Northern Rugby League season while Hull were competing in the Second Division Championship.
Although this was the era before Hull’s glittering success of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ramsey helped the Black & Whites to the John Player Trophy Final against Widnes at Headingley, where he would feature alongside fellow popular FC names including Keith Boxall, Mick Crane and Chris Davidson in the 19-13 defeat.
His vast experience influenced the largely young Hull team, under Coach David Doyle-Davidson to become the first Second Division team to reach the final in that particular competition, although “Cup Kings” Widnes were just too strong on the day.
After some 34 appearances for Hull, in which he scored four ties, seven goals and four drop-goals, Bill was enticed to Widnes, before enjoyed a spell in coaching with Hunslet at the end of the 1970s.
Hull FC would like to pass on their condolences to Bill’s family at this sad time.
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