On the passing of Dr Syd Millar CBE, President of the IRFU Ulster Branch, Denis Gardiner, said:
“All those associated with the Ulster Branch were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Syd Millar. On behalf of the Branch, I convey our sincere condolences to his children Lesley, Peter and Johnny, to the wider Millar family circle, and to all at Ballymena RFC.
“Syd was widely regarded as the most important and influential rugby personality ever to come from Ulster. It would be easy for me to simply list his many incredible achievements as a player, coach, innovator, manager and administrator, but you already know of all those, and no doubt they will be listed elsewhere. I have instead chosen to look beyond those and write a few words about the kind of man I knew and respected.
“A few years ago, I was tasked with organising the Annual Dinner at my club. I asked Syd if he would be prepared to come along as our guest speaker, and was delighted when he instantly said he would. I asked him how much his fee would be, and he paused briefly, appearing almost offended that I had even asked such a question, before replying that he had never asked for, nor accepted, any payment from any rugby club. Here we had the most important man in World Rugby, a man who could have commanded significant fees for speaking engagements, freely giving up his Friday night as the guest of a small provincial rugby club. This showed what a humble man Syd was and that despite all he had achieved on the world stage, he retained a huge commitment to the club game in Ulster.
“In October 2019, although not in the best of health, Syd made his final trip to the Kingspan Stadium to unveil the Syd Millar Pathway. Extending from a plaque in his honour to the Memorial Arch, it is a fitting tribute to someone who has given so much to the game in Ulster, Ireland and across the world. Syd will be greatly missed.”
A stalwart of Ballymena Rugby Club and Ulster Rugby, Millar made his Ireland debut in 1958 and won a total of 37 caps as well as playing on three British & Irish Lions tours – 1959, 1962 and 1966.
Millar went on to coach Ireland between 1973 and 1975 and was the mastermind behind the Lions undefeated tour to South Africa in in 1974. He also served as Lions manager on the 1980 tour and as Ireland manager at the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup.
His influence extended into the administration of the game serving as Ulster Branch President, after being appointed in 1985, IRFU President in 1995, and then chairman of the British & Irish Lions from 1999 to 2002. He was appointed Chairman of the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby) in 2003 and served until 2007.
Dr Millar was made a CBE in 2005 having previously been named an MBE and was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2009, as well as being awarded the Légion d’honneur in December 2007.
