In Memoriam: Brian Scrivens

It is with great sadness that Wigan Warriors learned of the passing of former player Brian SCRIVENS.
Brian Scrivens was born on 1 September 1937 in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, to Welsh parents originally from Cardiff, who later moved to Newport during World War II where Brian attended Brynglas Secondary School.
During his early career in junior rugby union in Newport, Scrivens was approached several times by St Helens Rugby League Club aged 14 and 16, but the political issues around rugby league and union at that time meant Brain signed for his local club Newport R.U. Scrivens played in Newport RFC’s 11-0 victory over Australia (RU) in 1957.
Due to the transfer merry-go-round, and Welsh selection involving Brian, Colin Evans, and Billy Watkins, Scrivens eventually found himself displacing Watkins in the Welsh trial in 1959. Scrivens was on the verge of his first Wales cap when he decided to sign professionally for Wigan.
Brain Scrivens made his Wigan debut on Saturday 12 December 1959 in a 6-0 away win at Workington Town’s Derwent Park. Following the match he earned his unique Wigan Heritage Number 597.
Brain’s career at Wigan spanned over two seasons where he made eight appearances in 1959-60, and he scored his only try for Wigan in a 47-3 victory over Blackpool Borough at Central Park on 19 December 1959.
However, by the end of Season 1959-60, Brain was part of Wigan’s Championship winning team. Brain made a further 11 appearances for Wigan in 1960-61, where he played his last game for the Club on Saturday 15 October 1960 in a defeat to Leigh at Central Park.
Unfortunately at the time, Brian’s First Team appearances were limited due to the competition at scrum-half with Terry Entwistle, Dave Bolton, and the emergence of Frankie Parr.
On retiring from rugby league, Brian worked at Bulldog Tools, Wigan, and following his working retirement in 1996, he moved to Glenridding, Cumbria, where he stood as Chairman of Patterdale Parish Council.
Wigan Warriors send their condolences to Brian’s family and friends at this sad time.