Mike Slemen, rugby union winger who was a linchpin of England’s 1980 Grand Slam – obituary
Mike Slemen, who has died aged 69, played wing three-quarter for England 31 times, a record for a winger at the time. He was a key figure in Bill Beaumont’s England team of 1980 which won the Grand Slam for the first time for 23 years, scoring a try in the crucial decider against Scotland at Murrayfield.
That day England contained seven members of the Northern Division team, including Slemen and Beaumont, which had inflicted the only defeat suffered by the All Blacks during their European tour the year before. That historic victory at Otley, played on a grey, wintry day, is seen as the inspiration for England’s renaissance.
Slemen was one of 10 England players chosen for the British and Irish Lions, under Beaumont’s captaincy, to tour South Africa at the end of their Grand Slam season. He had to fly home after the first Test because his wife was ill, but during his brief time there he scored one of the most memorable Lions tries, touching down to win the match in the final minute after a move that covered the length of the field and included 40 passes against an Invitational XV at Potchefstroom.
He had replaced David Duckham in the England side in 1976, and was in turn replaced eight years later by Rory Underwood, a direct line of three of England’s greatest three-quarters. Descriptions of Slemen always referred to his balance, his silken running, his subtle changes of pace – and his signature moustache.
Michael Anthony Charles Slemen was born in Liverpool on May 11 1951, one of six children of Mary and Charlie Slemen, a butcher. He was educated at St Edward’s College in Liverpool, where he was an outstanding all-round athlete. He was a talented sprinter and cyclist and played three seasons for the school as a demon fast bowler. He also played football at a high level in the Liverpool Sunday League until his school insisted on him playing scrum-half for the first XV at rugby.
On leaving school he studied Pharmacy for a year at Aston University in Birmingham, then Physical Education at St Luke’s College, Exeter, playing at fly-half until he finally settled on the wing. While there he turned out for Devon and was chosen for an England under-23 side against Tonga.
After college he returned to his roots on Merseyside, becoming director of sport at the Merchant Taylor’s School, where he remained for more than 30 years.
He played his club rugby for Liverpool for 16 seasons, finishing in 1986 by scoring three tries in their last match under that name against Preston Grasshoppers. The club then became Liverpool St Helen’s and Slemen stayed on as coach for three years.
He also coached Orrell for many seasons and became a legendary figure at the club, astounding the younger players by his high level of physical fitness. In 1994 he became backs coach for the England squad.
Among the many tributes to his skill as a player and his popularity as a quiet, graceful man was one that said: “He was a great player, a great coach and a great bloke.”
In 1974 Mike Slemen married Eileen Rance, a nurse; she survives him with their children. David followed his father into rugby, playing fly-half for Harlequins and Connacht; Sarah is a teacher.
Mike Slemen, born May 11 1951, died July 21 2020
