Gus Risman and Me

Next month marks the 20th anniversary of Salford playing Catalans Dragons at Stade Aime Giral in Perpignan for the first time. I’m planning to post my own recollections of that game nearer the time.

March also marks 115 years since the birth of the great Gus Risman. In the introduction to the 2008 edition of Risman’s autobiography Rugby Renegade, Prof. Tony Collins wrote:

[Risman was] simply one the greatest players ever to step onto a rugby league pitch. No-one played at the highest level for longer. No-one led international sides for longer. Only one man played more matches. Only two men ever scored more points. And these facts are just the bare bones of his story.

The Dragons’ permanent home is, of course, Stade Gilbert Brutus, and Salford’s first appearance on that ground occurred on April 1st, 1984 in a friendly against XIII Catalan.¹ This game celebrated the golden jubilee of rugby league in France, and 50 years since Salford’s famed ‘Les Diables Rouges’ tour of 1934.

Risman was an integral part of Lance Todd’s Salford team of the 1930s, and their reputation was in such high regard that they were invited to take part in this landmark tour to help promote rugby league in France.

In 1934, Salford defeated XIII Catalan 41–16. Fifty years later Salford were invited back to the Stade Gilbert Brutus to commemorate that match.² Risman and his former teammate, another Salford great, Emlyn Jenkins would accompany the Salford team to Perpignan.

The XIII Catalan of 1984, under coach Yvon Gourbal and president Henri Arcens, had won the previous three league championships consecutively – it might have been four had the 1980–81 not been abandoned after six minutes due to fighting with no champion awarded – and they would take the league and cup double the following season. I think it’s fair to say they were no mugs.³

At the age of 10, Pete Bowden fulfilled his boyhood dream of leading Salford out as their mascot for this very game. Pete’s recollection of the match was published in The Scarlet Turkey in 2009. What follows below are Pete’s own words and photos of the trip. Given that both Risman and Jenkins were into their seventies by this time, they were not averse to taking part in some of the high jinx.

Gus Risman and Me by Pete Bowden

At the age of 10, I was lucky enough to accompany the Salford team in my capacity as mascot, alongside my dad and a small bunch of loyal reds. Also on the trip were two of the original Red Devils, Gus Risman and Emlyn Jenkins, who were to lead the teams out and kick the match off.

Our trip started on a Saturday, March 31st. After a coach trip to Heathrow airport, we flew to Barcelona and from there we transferred to Perpignan, also by coach, in a journey that was less than comfortable given the extremely windy mountain roads, and a driver who thought he was Ayrton Senna.

A young Pete Bowden flanked by Gus Risman (left) and Emlyn Jenkins. © Pete Bowden

The following day (April Fools Day!) we made the short trip to the Stade Gilbert Brutus for the game between the then second division Salford and the champions of France: XIII Catalan.

The weather was disappointingly British, raining throughout the game and making conditions very difficult. In the end, it was Catalan who ran out 8–7 winners thanks to a drop goal with just five minutes to go.

With formalities over it was time for us and the team to relax and enjoy the warm sunshine of southern France, which thankfully arrived on the Monday morning. For this 10-year-old from Salford, it was the time of his life so far and the high jinx the team got up to was great fun.

Emlyn Jenkins and Gus Risman take to the field at Stade Gilbert Brutus. © Pete Bowden

First of all, we had David Griffiths getting the nickname that was to remain with him throughout his career: ‘Crazy Horse’. He had the uncanny knack of falling downstairs and it wasn’t always as a result of being under the influence of the local produce. He proved to be the clumsiest player I’ve ever seen take to a rugby field.

On one of the days, we were invited to a local vineyard to sample its wares. It was here we met a German couple, just married. They asked one of the players to take a photograph of them with the beautiful vine-filled hillside in the background. The photo was taken to much hilarity as the newlyweds were blissfully unaware of a semi-naked Stewart Williams posing behind them. What a shock they must have got when the picture was developed.

Salford team led out by mascot Pete and captain Peter Glynn. © Pete Bowden

XIII Catalan take to the field. © Pete Bowden

After the vineyard trip, it was back to Perpignan for a meal and for the players to hit the bars. I returned to the hotel with my dad and the chairman, who by now had become known to me as ‘uncle’ John. Here, in the hotel lounge, the aforementioned J.A.W. contributed to my first ever hangover by buying me one or two local beers, unbeknownst to my dad!

It was while we were here that one of the players burst in shouting: ‘Come quickly. Paul Brownbill is stuck up a crane!’ Indeed, Paul had scaled the 80-foot crane on a building site around the corner and once up there had decided that he was scared of heights. So there he was clinging on for dear life. Coach Mike Coulman managed to coax him down and everyone returned to the hotel.

The next day the team went to the beach called Canet Plage. Someone decided that a team photograph should be taken… in the nude. Gus Risman and Emlyn Jenkins were the first ones who stripped off as I looked sheepishly on. As the team settled down for the photo Mike Coulman shouted: ‘Hey there’s someone missing. Where’s our mascot?’

Unable to escape, I stripped off and joined the photo. Once taken it was a naked race down to the sea, which as you can imagine was salty and shockingly cold.

Mike Coulman (2nd right) was appointed Salford coach during the 1983–84 season. © Pete Bowden

Both teams exit the field to the backdrop of the Stade Gilbert Brutus terrace. © Pete Bowden

Wednesday was our last day abroad, travelling to Barcelona for the flight back home. After the usual wait in departures, we boarded the plane and started to taxi to the runway. It was at this point that somebody shouted: ‘Where’s Mick Gill?’

Mick was our 17-year old prop forward from Oldham. It transpired that he had fallen asleep in the airport lounge and we’d left him behind. ‘Who was looking after him?’ asked coach Mike Coulman. No reply came… ‘He’ll have to get the next plane back then,’ he said. Rather reluctantly, Darren Bloor replied: ‘I’m afraid he can’t do that ’cos I’ve got his passport!’

A week later, after Mick had arrived back, we were all sat in the tea room after Saturday morning training when a sheepish Darren Bloor asked him ‘what did you do when you woke up and found you had been left behind?’ Mick replied: ‘I stood up in the middle of the departure lounge of the airport and sang at the top of my voice: “I wish I was in Greenall Whitley land, where beer is cool!”’ At which point the much loved Doris patted him on the head and handed him another cup of tea.

A fruitful trip to the offie for Emyln and Gus. © Pete Bowden

¹ XIII Catalan merged with Saint Esteve in 2000 to become Union Treiziste Catalane (UTC). UTC would later be renamed Catalans Dragons for Super League.

² Two years later on 30 May 1986, Salford would play XIII Catalan again in the semi final of the friendly Tournoi International de Paris at Stade Guy Moquet, Châtillon. In the other semi, a young Mark Moran starred for BARLA President’s XIII in their defeat of Paris Châtillon XIII (coached by Tas Baitieri) by 20–6. Salford went on to beat the amateurs 32–16 in the final.

³ In the wake of Arcens’s death in March 2022, a minute’s silence was held during Catalans Dragons vs. Wigan Warriors prior to kick-off.