In Memory Of Dave Chisnall 1948-2013
It is with great sadness that Warrington Wolves announce that Hall of Fame prop forward Dave Chisnall passed away on the morning of Friday 11 January. Dave who had been suffered from cancer and Alzheimer's disease for some time died at his home in St Helens. He was 64.
Dave was born in St Helens on 10 April 1948 and played his junior rugby league with Parr Labour Club ARLFC. The eighteen year old turned professional with Leigh in 1967. There in followed an outstanding eighteen year career that took in eight clubs.
Chisnall was a member of the last Great Britain squad to win the Ashes against Australia. He played in the first test of the tour of Australia in 1970. He was unfortunate to miss out on Leigh's remarkable Wembley win over Leeds in 1971 through suspension.
Dave Chisnall was one of Alex Murphy's first signings for Warrington when he signed in August 1971 from Leigh for £8,000. He was a 5ft 9in, 16st prop forward, who had an outrageous sidestep and dummy, with a surprising turn of speed.
Injury and suspension limited his first season at Wilderspool to just ten matches. However in the next three seasons he hardly missed a match as Warrington won the League Leaders Trophy in 1972/73, the Captain Morgan Trophy, the Player's No.6 Trophy, the Challenge Cup and the Club Merit Trophy in 1973/74, and reached the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy and Challenge Cup finals of 1974/75.
Dave was one of the top props in the game, won 4 England caps and made 5 Lancashire appearances whilst at Warrington. The formidable front row of Dave Chisnall, Kevin Ashcroft and Brian Brady laid the foundations for the team's remarkable success. He was the Warrington captain for the 1975 final, but five months later was transferred to Swinton for £ 5,000.
Chisnall was back at Wilderspool in October 1981 for a second spell. He came on as a substitute for Tony Cooke in the 1982 16 - 0 Lancashire Cup victory over St Helens.
Dave made 210 appearances for Warrington, including 16 as substitute and scored 29 tries.
"Chissie" was an entertainer with a sense of humour that endeared him to the crowds.
After leaving Warrington for the first time Dave has short spells at Swinton, Leigh, St Helens and Barrow. He played for a further year after leaving Warrington again in 1984 and spent short spells at Rochdale Hornets, Mansfield Marksman and Keighley. Dave's brothers also played rugby league, Eric played for St Helens and Great Britain and Les played for Leigh at Wembley in 1971.
Chisnall had spells coaching at both Leigh and St Helens "A" teams before a fifteen month spell as head coach at Runcorn. During his long career "Chissie" played over 500 club games, played twice for Great Britain, four matches for England and numerous times for Lancashire.
Dave was a committee member of the Warrington Players Association. He thoroughly enjoyed his time at Warrington and he had a great rapport with the Wilderspool crowd, even when he played for the opposition. In 2009 he was inducted into the Warrington RLFC Hall of Fame, the same year he was back at Wembley leading his 1975 Warrington team out to a great reception from the crowd prior to the Cup Final. Last season he presented Chris Hill with his Warrington debut shirt.
Dave leaves wife Carol and children Lee, Phil, Jeanette and Michelle. Before the cancer set in he visited his son in Australia.
Arrangements have now been confirmed for the funeral. The service will take place at St Helens Parish Church, Church Square, St Helens, WA10 1AF, on Thursday, January 24 at 11am.
12, Jan, 2013
