Lifelong friend and former Great Britain team-mate Joe Lydon:
“ My memory, on reading or hearing the name Mike Gregory, is jolted back to his playing days as captain of his club and country. Like so many, I’m sure, I hold a vivid picture in my mind’s eye of a powerful athlete wearing a head band, tight shorts and the number 13 jersey. He is carrying the ball in one hand as he enters the field of play with a swagger that borders on arrogance. This distinctive gait is partly due to a troubled knee and partly born out of confidence.
My memory turns easily to partying as hard as he has undoubtedly played or trained. That same confidence and determination remain, now accompanied by a wicked sense of humour, a streak of devilment and an infectious enthusiasm.

As I smile to myself, and believe me there are many memories and exploits to smile about, reality bites and I see the present day Mike.

Gone is the powerful physique that he worked so hard to create, the swagger, the confidence, the banter. But before anger sets in at the cruel injustice, I quickly realise that what remains, what is constant, are the core values, the heart encased in a stubborn shell.

Courage, determination, a sharp mind and a love and appreciation of family, friends and laughter. These are the qualities that deserve to be applauded and afforded the superlatives that are too often used without real merit.
These are the qualities that define the man I have had the pleasure to play alongside and to call my friend. These are the same qualities that should stand as a reminder to us all of what must be valued in sport, at home and in life. Thanks Greg - here’s to the future, the fight, the values you hold so dear... and the return of the swagger.”

Good friend Glenn Sweeney
In his best selling book, Wayne Bennett refers to it as “ Mateship”. “When your friend’s in a bit of strife, you lend him a hand. Rally round for him”. Well, that’s what we are doing for Greg. This is actually a microcosm of what a perfect society should be like . It’s testimony to the amount Greg has given over the years in terms of time, effort and support to so many people, not just rugby players, but schools and anyone else that asked for his help, that so many are willing to stand up and demonstrate a bit of “Mateship”. He’s earned it. I’ve stood and watched him sign dozens and dozens of autographs for kids, refusing no-one, outside Wilderspool. He didn’t just scrawl a squiggle on the page, to each and every kid, he’d look’em straight in the eye, and give’em a wink and say “thanks mate”. The kid would go away feeling ten foot tall, with a huge grin on their face, and say to their parent “ Mike Gregory said thanks and called me ‘mate!”, and you know what, he meant it! Each and every single time he meant it. The bloke is that genuine. We used to play squash about three times a week, and we’d come off the court every time, absolutely knackered. Given everything. Most times he beat me, but give everything, and then thank me for pushing him so hard, but my squash was getting better for having played him. My friendship with him has been just like that. I am a better bloke for knowing him. I can honestly say I’ve never spent a bad moment in his company. Greg, as one of the founding members of the Dead Postman’s Society was.. (Sorry can’t tell you any more or I’ll have to kill you). What I can tell you is, he was a prominent member of the “Pagefield St. Lazy Club” with a lousy taste in videos. We once sent him on his own to select two videos’ for the afternoon repose and he came back with “Chucky 3” and “ King Ralph”, we never sent him again. I think that was his plan all along! Crafty *******.

In his immortal poem, “If”, Rudyard Kipling penned the following lines, which could have been written solely for Mike Gregory:

” If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue yet walk with kings, nor lose the common touch if neither foe nor loving friend can hurt you yet all men count with you but none too much. If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run, yours is the earth-and everything in it-and which is more- you’ll be a man my son”.

Greg, you certainly are a man, mate. A top man, and I’m looking forward to sculling some Guinness, and battling out on the squash court as soon as you are better.

Hasta Glenn Sweeney