Mike Parsons salutes John Bevan's stunning career with Warrington Wolves and at international level in both codes of rugby

HE was the star with the clenched-fist salute.

As powerful as an ox, with pace to burn alongside his bamboozling swerve and sidestep, John Bevan's performances and trademark try celebration lit up Wilderspool for 13 years.

Raising the arm was just one of his ways of connecting with the fans who had welcomed him so appreciatively to a town and area he knew little about until the club's move to bring him north.

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Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Bevan arrived at the club in 1973 from Wales with a surname that inevitably invited comparisons with Brian, the club's world record try scorer and a legend in the game.

He broke the ice with the fans by scoring on his debut in a 22-5 home win against Castleford and never looked back, scoring 201 tries in 332 appearances and becoming one of the club's greatest heroes in his own right.

Four winners' medals in his first season - in the Challenge Cup, the Club Championship, the Captain Morgan Trophy and Player's No6 Trophy - were a magical way for him to settle into the 13-man code after switching from his glittering time in rugby union.

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There were four more gongs to follow, two in the John Player Trophy and two in the Lancashire Cup, before hanging up his boots in 1986.

Initially a winger, who increasingly featured as a centre or loose-forward later in his career, he also captained Wales and played for Great Britain in his heyday.

"A few clubs were interested in signing me but I went for Warrington and it turned out to be a tremendous place," said Bevan, who was a teacher of physical and religious education at English Martyrs High School for six years and also had a position for a spell at Culcheth High School.

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Warrington Guardian:

"The spectators took to me straight away and always made me feel incredibly welcome.

"Scoring in my first game was a big relief. I still remember the game very well. Alex Murphy got sent off and one of the Castleford lads tried to break my ribs but we beat them by a good margin."

He went on to play in Challenge Cup finals in the following two years.

"I thought the club went to Wembley every year," he said.

"Playing with such great players around me gave me a lot of confidence to enjoy my game. Even when I went through an occasional lean spell I knew the lads and the fans were behind me all the way.

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Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

"We were a very hard side in those days and there were a few players I was very grateful to be playing alongside rather than against."

He had a toughness too, the kind cultivated from working down the mines as a teenager during school summer holidays.

But for all of his aggression in the heat of battle, he carried a composure that allowed him to develop his bond with the fans.

He said: "Being out on the wing can be a bit lonely at times so I used to chat to the crowd during the games when I could. You got to know the same faces and people were always up for a laugh and a joke so I used to enjoy it.

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Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

"The atmosphere was always good off the pitch, of course. The fans took me as one of their own and I had some great times."

It was his achievements in the 15-man game by the age of 22 that had rugby league clubs clamouring for his signature and turning him semi-professional.

Tylorstown-born Bevan, who studied at Ferndale Grammar School, earned 10 caps for Wales, earning his first against England while playing for Cardiff College.

Bevan went on the British Lions tour in 1971, the year Wales won the Grand Slam, as the youngest member of the squad and scored a record equalling 17 tries in 13 games.

He also represented the Barbarians against New Zealand, scoring a try in a contest remembered best for a famous Gareth Edwards try.

After the move into rugby league, his country came calling again.

Six Great Britain Tests, as well as featuring as a tourist in 1974 to Australia and New Zealand, combined with 17 call-ups for Wales topped his record of achievement.

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Warrington Guardian:

After his playing days ended, Bevan continued in teaching at Arnold School in Blackpool where his wife, Rhiannon, had a job as a school nurse.

He left behind 14 years at Arnold School and became director of coaching with the Welsh Rugby Union.

Bevan was head coach of the Wales team that was steered to the under 19s world championships final in 1999.

He eventually settled in a role at Monmouth School for Boys, where he could teach and also complete the circle by inspiring young players in a sport that had laid the way for his incredible journey.

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Warrington Guardian:

Welsh boys together. From left, Mike Nicholas, John Bevan and Bobby Wanbon.

Pictures by Eddie Fuller, Mike Boden and Eddie Whitham