Everyone at the Club were saddened to hear of the passing of two Salford greats, Jackie Brennan and Trevor Rabbitt.
Brennan arrived at The Willows from Blackpool Borough for £5,000 in August 1959. While with Borough he had received glowing reports, after signing from Wigan junior rugby in 1954.
He was picked for Lancashire twice in 1958, playing at stand-off, his partner in both matches being a teenage Alex Murphy. Surprisingly, during his time at Salford, Brennan never regained his county place.
In his first season with Salford, he played at stand-off partnered by the veteran scrum-half Billy Banks, although, for the final match, he found himself reunited with Terry Dunn who had also transferred from Blackpool.
His partnership with Dunn continued until September 1963, following which, Brennan found he was repositioned to scrum-half where he became the acknowledged ‘brains’ behind the team.
It was in this position that he was to play at Wembley in 1969, partnered by David Watkins, who had that season taken over the captaincy from Brennan. It was Brennan who carefully guided Watkins through his debut in September 1967. Watkins said later: “The steadying presence of Jackie Brennan proved invaluable’.
In his last few seasons at Salford he played at loose forward, a position he occupied in his last full appearance at Huddersfield on 4 October 1970.
After deservedly receiving a £3,500 testimonial cheque in 1970, he joined Warrington on a free transfer, saying on his departure: ‘I am grateful for all Salford have done for me. They gave me a wonderful benefit and the supporters have always given me a fair hearing.’
In total, Brennan made 329 appearances for Salford, scoring 70 tries and kicking three goals.
Trevor Rabbitt, who played for Salford during the 1960s, passed away on 2nd August at the the age of 81.
A hard-working, tenacious scrum half, he was born in Warrington, signing for Salford from the Cadishead and Irlam amateur club.
Within days of joining Salford he made his first team debut as an 18-year-old on 17th March 1962, standing in for an unfit Jackie Brennan against Bradford Northern at Odsal Stadium, a match that Salford won 20-6.
He was destined to make make 101 senior appearances over the next seven and a half years, his opportunities limited due to the number of quality half-backs playing for the club at that time, although he was a member of the Salford squad that went to Wembley in 1969.
He was, however, a significant presence in what was an outstanding ‘A’ team, his inspiring leadership recognised through him taking over as captain.
Trevor’s last first team appearance was on 16th August 1969 in a Lancashire Cup tie at Wigan when he partnered stand-off David Watkins, transferring to Rochdale Hornets the following November.
Trevor’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 26th August at 10.40 am at Walton Lea Crematorium, Chester Road, Higher Walton, Warrington, WA4 6TB.