Gordon Cottier, one of the great names from Whitehaven rugby league club’s history, has died at the age of 74.
Gordon had joined Haven in 1967 from Moresby rugby union club and went on to play 320 times (plus 20 sub appearances) for the Recreation Ground club.
An immensely gifted all-round player he actually operated at centre (30 games), loose forward (85), second row (137), blind side prop (45) and open side prop (23).
He made his Whitehaven debut in the year he signed, scoring a try from centre, in a 10-10 draw at Blackpool. It was the first of 38 tries he scored for the club.
After 10 years and 233 appearances for Haven he was advised to retire by doctors because of perceived heart problems.
But after two years out of the game he returned to play again for Haven and helped them win promotion in the 1980/81 season.
He continued to play as Whitehaven yo-yoed from the two divisions.
During the 1972 season he had played five games on loan at Barrow and in 1983/84 and 1985/86 he had two short spells with Workington Town. He played 15 games for Town in that time and scored two tries.
His final appearance as a professional was for Town in March, 1986 in a 32-20 defeat at Carlisle.
He played for Cumbria against the Australian tourists at Whitehaven in 1973 and won six county caps – earning a County Championship winners medal in 1981.
After retirement he played in the Cumberland Amateur Rugby League and for a while he took up the whistle to join the referees panel.
Always keen to talk about the game, and with some strong views, Gordon was a proper rugby league man and will be missed by many.
