In Memoriam: Jeff Bootle

It is with great sadness that Wigan Warriors learn of the passing of former player Jeff Bootle at the age of 80.

Jeff was born in Wigan on 21st August 1940 and joined his home own club from the Wigan Rugby Union club in 1958.

He made a try scoring debut on the wing for Wigan on 14th March 1959, defeating Leeds, at Central Park, by 32 points to 3, which earned him a Wigan Heritage Number of 593.

Although the majority of his Wigan career was spent playing at centre he was equally as comfortable playing on the wing or at full back.

On 13th May 1961, Jeff played in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, the first Wigan v Saints Challenge Cup Final Derby since its inauguration in 1897.

Unfortunately, Wigan lost on the day to their arch rivals 12-6, with a crowd of 94,672.

Jeff scored Wigan’s first try in the Semi Final win over Halifax at the old Station Road ground, Swinton to help him achieve his Wembley ambition.

His greatest achievement playing for his hometown club came in season 1961-62 when he won a Lancashire League medal, playing in 17 matches scoring eight tries and 18 goals, with a total of 60 points.

Jeff’s last appearance for Wigan was again at Central Park on 5th October 1963 in a Western Division Championship match – losing 14-13 to Rochdale Hornets.

In total, Jeff made 65 appearances for Wigan from 1959 to 1963, scoring 27 tries and 27 goals for a career total of 135 points.

Sadly, during the 1963-64 season Jeff found it difficult to hold down a regular first team spot at Wigan with competition coming from an international back line with the likes of Billy Boston, Eric Ashton, Frank Carlton, Alan Davies and Trevor Lake.

Consequently in January 1964 Jeff signed for Warrington for a fee of around £2,500, joining his former Wigan teammate Keith Holden.

Jeff went on to captain Warrington, lifting the Lancashire Cup in 1965 and winning his second Lancashire League title.

Regrettably, Jeff retired from Rugby League at the relatively early age of 28 to establish a career with Mersey Bus and took up the game of golf, becoming a member at both Chorley and Lytham Green Drive respectively.

Upon his retirement Jeff moved with his wife Jean to Spain for a period of time before returning to England and settling in Lytham.

Jeff had been ill for several months and Wigan Warriors send on their condolences to his wife Jean, extended family and their friends.

The funeral is at Carleton Crematorium, in Blackpool on Tuesday 21st September at 9:30am.