| Graham Willars | |
| Birth Name: | Graham George Willars |
| Birth Date: | 20 November 1939 |
| Birth Place: | Leicester, Leicestershire |
| Death Place: | Leicester |
| Occupation: | Communications manager for BT |
| School: | Moat Boys School |
| Ru Position: | Flanker |
| Years1: | 1959 - 1987 |
| Apps1: | 338 |
| Points1: | 129 |
Graham George Willars known as Graham Willars (20 November 1939 - 20 September 1997) was an English rugby union flanker who played a 338 games for Leicester Tigers from 1959 to 1987, he also coached the side from 1982 - 87 and was club president from 1991 - 93.
Willars made his Leicester debut as a 19 year old on 17 October 1959 against Cheltenham at Welford Road and played 21 times in his first season. However competition for places was fierce and in 1960/61 he played only 5 times and did not feature at all in either 1961/62 or 1962/63. Willars reappeared in the first team against Waterloo in December 1962 and was then a feature in the team for many years. Willars was club captain in 1968/69 and then again in 1972/73.[1]
Willars' career lasted 27 years and 169 days, spanning 1,154 Tigers games, the longest by both measures of any player for Leicester Tigers. He featured as a player in a record 20 different seasons.[2] At 47 years and 135 days he is also the oldest player to play for the club.[3]
Willars succeeded Chalkie White as Tigers' first team coach and lead the side from 1982 - 87 leading the side to the final of the 1982-83 John Player Cup, where the side lost to Bristol.
Farmer,Stuart & Hands, David Tigers-Official History of Leicester Football Club (The Rugby DevelopmentFoundation)