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DENNIS GORDON: AN OBITUARY

29 August 2018

The club is saddened to confirm the passing of former Lions half-back, Dennis Gordon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was with much sadness that we learned this week of the death at Whiston Hospital of our former half-back, Dennis Gordon.

Dennis made his debut as an amateur trialist in the Swinton “A” team against Whitehaven “A” at Station Road on 4th March 1961. Within a couple of weeks he had earned a professional contract, and immediately staked his claim as a regular scrum-half in the Lions’ reserve team.

Unfortunately for Dennis he came up against Albert Cartwright and Graham Williams for a berth in the first-team, and as such he was limited to just four first-team appearances during the course of his Swinton career (Heritage Number 526).

Dennis made his first-team debut on 3rd October 1962 against Workington Town in the semi-finals of the Lancashire Cup. Swinton won 24-5 before a 10,000 crowd, but lost the final in which Dennis was an absentee.

Dennis played again just three days after his Station Road full debut. This was at Fartown against Huddersfield in the opening league game of the 1962/63 campaign. That particular match ended in defeat, as did the Lions’ next game at home to Wakefield Trinity which marked Dennis’s third appearance. However, despite this patchy start the Lions of course went on to win the Championship.

Dennis continued to be a regular in the “A” team, with his quick feet proving a useful asset at scrum-half, stand-off or occasional winger. However, such was the strength of this awesome Swinton team that Dennis failed to break into the first team during 1963/64 and 1964/65, before he added a fourth and final appearance on 13th November 1965 in an 8-2 defeat at Hull.

Dennis continued his association with the Lions “A” team until the 1968/69 season, having displayed great loyalty to the club despite having only fleeting opportunities with the first team.

Everyone at Swinton Lions extends their deepest sympathy to Dennis’ family and friends at this sad time.

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