Wigan-born Salford Red Devils icon Jackie Brennan passes away, aged 89
Wigan-born Jackie Brennan, who was a fan favourite during his days at Salford Red Devils, has passed away at the age of 89.
The Wigan-born halfback represented Blackpool Borough, Salford and Warrington throughout his rugby league playing career between 1955 and 1971.
Brennan began his professional career with Blackpool at the age of 17, scoring 37 tries in 121 games for the club between 1955 and 1959. Whilst with Blackpool Borough, Brennan represented Lancashire at county level, losing both games to Yorkshire.
In August 1959, he joined Salford for a fee of £5,000. Although Wigan-born, he became an adopted Salfordian, having been a fan favourite at The Willows.
Brennan spent 11 years with the Reds between 1959 and 1970, scoring 70 tries in 329 appearances for the club, earning heritage number 570.
In 1969, he played in the Challenge Cup final in front of almost 98,000 people at Wembley Stadium against Castleford, which Salford lost 11-6, with Castleford icon Mal Reilly scooping the Lance Todd Trophy. There were a number of iconic players in the Salford line-up that day alongside Brennan, such as Chris Hesketh, David Watkins, Mike Coulman and Colin Dixon.
The Wiganer made his Salford debut against Whitehaven in August 1959 and played his final match for the Reds against Widnes in October 1970.
Brennan joined Warrington for the final spell of his career during the 1970-71 season, but retired after only three games for the Wire.
Brennan will be remembered as one of Salford’s greatest servants, having been voted into the all-time Willows XIII back in 2001.