Mansfield Rugby Club
Chairman’s Address
AJ Foster
Sunday 23rd April 2006
50th Anniversary Celebration
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests – Welcome to this, our official 50th birthday celebration!
It was this very day on Monday 23rd April 1956 that 17 rugby pioneers met in the Victoria Hotel Mansfield to explore the possibility of forming a rugby club…
Our current President’s father, Phillip Lane was appointed Chairman and as the meeting got under way, his first act was to ask all those present to stand in silence of rugby players who had fallen during the war.
I quote from the minutes of that meeting, where it said:
“After a very full discussion it was agreed – that an attempt be made to form such a club”
The committee were elected en bloc with Phillip Lane as Chairman, Ted was appointed as Secretary with Alan Shaw as Treasurer.
Subscriptions were set at a guinea, which was £1 and one shilling with match tax set at 3/6d! (for those born after 1971 that’s £1.05 and 17.5 pence!)
They met again the following week to agree a strategy to find a suitable venue to play, open a bank account and register with the Rugby Football Union. It was agreed to meet again on the 26th June and Mansfield Rugby Club honoured its first fixture in the September of the 1956/57 season.
With the playing base at the King George V Playing Fields at Black Scotch Lane and originally playing in red shirts (acquired from Freddy Smart of the Mines Rescue Centre) they more than held their own in those early seasons, with some excellent players in the shape of Charlie Clifford, Taff Davies and Bryn Williams proving to be a handful.
That said, it’s probably fair to say that in the early days they were very much a social club with some serious rugby taking place on the field – however, there was some serious drinking off it!
The blue and white hoops followed later as it was thought that they would be more imposing and hoops make you look bigger! …There are those of us today that prefer to dress in stripes for the opposite effect!
At this time the club was based at the Swan Hotel in Mansfield, but for various reasons of impropriety, the Kings Head became the next port of call.
An itinerant period followed over the next few years with bases at several hostelries in the town - almost certainly due to behavioural issues again …
They had bases at the Portland Arms, Young Conservative Club, The Midland, The Pheasant, the Oak Tree and finally Little Barn Lane Social Club before developing our own facilities here at Eakring Road …
… I recall us being asked to leave The Oak Tree because, amongst other reasons, Gary Beecroft ate the Daffodils from the vase in the snug bar!
The Landlady called Ted to complain and asked what he was going to do about it … he advised her to replace them with Tulips as it was a well known fact that Gary loved Daffodils and the fresher, the better!
Talking to some of the lads who played during the early days, despite being a model at times for Michael Green’s book ‘The Art of Course Rugby’ there seemed to be a strong sense of brotherhood holding the club together.
There was tough time during the 60’s where the club very nearly folded and it was this attitude of togetherness and of course the introduction of rugby to many locals schools that saw them through a difficult period as things improved and numbers began to swell.
A number of significant things happened with the development of the club during the late seventies and early eighties, which affected the dynamic of the club both on and off the field of play.
Under the Captaincy of Pete Emberson and Coach Bryn Howell, the 1977/78 season saw us win the Notts County Cup for the first time and it was no fluke – the club had been building towards it for a couple of seasons. It was an epic encounter where we thrashed Notts Casuals 3 nil!
… And this came on the back of the Second Team winning the County Shield two seasons earlier – the club’s first ever silverware!
But what we really wanted at this time was a place of our own!
In 1977 the club was offered 9 acres of derelict land here at Eakring Road. Purchased from the National Coal Board and Welbeck Estates, work began levelling and grading the area.
In June 1978 the foundations were laid for the clubhouse and changing rooms, into which nearly 400 tons of concrete was poured.
Then 30,000 tons of sand was tipped onto the site and in April 1979 two pitches were seeded and came into use in September 1981 for our blockbusting inaugural game here at Eakring Road against Henry Mellish Rugby Club, which went according to the script and we won 15 – 3!
By this time the clubhouse had been built – this was a Vic Hallam sectional building, which was a former Co-op and bought for a song in May 1976 …
… It was purchased and stored at Hucknall in readiness for transporting to Eakring Road to be rebuilt with a brick shell surrounding it in July 1978.
Those of us who had no building trade experience or skill were shamelessly used as slave labour, barrowing rubbish, mixing concrete and sweeping up after the work of the more skilled craftsmen.
Max Boyce officiated over the grand opening of the clubhouse on the 4th October 1979 – and Max is delighted to be asked back on the occasion of our 50th Annual Club dinner in May as our guest and main speaker for the evening.
During this time, coaching was already an integral part of the club’s playing policy. The early eighties saw the development of the RFU’s Intermediate Coaching Badge.
The ‘Pilot’ scheme was devised by Chalkie White (former Leicester Tigers scrum-half and Coach) together with Alan Davies of Nottingham and later the Welsh National Team …
… The first courses involved our Coach Bryn Howell and were held at Mansfield. This brought a sense of purpose, pride and achievement to our endeavours.
This approach resulted in significant results for us on the field as we then went on to win the Notts Pennant seven times in eight years and this league success ultimately led to our inclusion in Midlands Division One when the RFU introduced the new national league structure in 1987.
It shouldn’t be underestimated just how vital this was for our ability to improve the standard of rugby at Mansfield, especially when you consider that Casuals for example, where previous matches had always close and hard fought, were placed two leagues below us in the new structure and in a matter of only two or three seasons later, we played them in a County Cup game and won comfortably by 40 points.
During this period, the Youth section was being transformed into an organised outfit and also managed to win the Notts Colts Cup three times in four seasons.
Instrumental in those early days launching the youth section that resulted in what we have today were Mick Taylor, Dylan Howells, Dave Kilford, Danny Thompson and Byron… today we have teams from minis to Colts and in some age groups enough for two teams! – led by a dedicated group of coaches and helpers.
The club has produced and continues to produce many fine players – and many players have earned representative honours for the club by playing for Nottinghamshire, NLD and The Midlands at all levels – There are too many to list, however, special mention must be made of Robert Holmes who played Combined Services U21 and Wayne Robinson and Tom Calladine who both made the England Colts and U16 squads respectively.
And of course Peter Moss and Wayne Kilford who both received full international honours by representing England at Colts level.
Former First XV Captain Bob Salmon remains our most senior representative player to date, having had four seasons with Nottingham, playing in the Midlands victory over Fiji and receiving ‘reserve cards’ for four full Senior England internationals.
It’s always difficult when you mention names because you run the risk if missing someone out – but Mansfield Rugby Club has always had the benefit a strong management committee and sub-committee’s, with people who are totally devoted to ensuring the stability and well-being of the club, right from the early days with Ted, his father Phillip, Alan Shaw, Jack Pratt and all those early foot soldiers of Mansfield Rugby…
… this extended over the years with the likes of Derek & Sylvia Stephenson, Tony Bull, John Abbey, Alfie Barham, Alan Colford, Pete Emberson, Kev Swithenbank and of course latterly, Byron Edwards and Mike Copestake to name but a few and they are joined by so many who have done so much.
These groups of people over the years have all been responsible for providing the fantastic facilities that we can all enjoy today.
This includes developing the clubhouse & grounds, creating the third pitch in the early 80’s, the work involved in funding and building the Sports Hall and Gym, (which was officially opened by Dean Richards on 6th Feb 1995) constructing our all weather facility and bringing sponsorships worth thousands of pounds to the club.
There are currently 49 people who hold official positions on our organisation chart, plus many other helpers and volunteers. Run and managed almost exclusively by volunteers, everything you see here today has been achieved by those who were prepared to give as much they could whilst asking nothing in return.
Our enviable facilities, our massively important annual BBQ (which is one of the most important social events in the town’s calendar and involves over 100 volunteers) numerous County Cup wins, NLD Cup wins, league promotion – our Investors in People Award, Seal of Approval, Lottery Grants and an enthusiastic, vibrant and ever growing Youth Section … all exist because of you!
Over the last 31 years at Mansfield Rugby Club I have seen and heard many things that have left an impression on me …
Some things I still have nightmares about …
Some things I could go home and tell my mother about …
And there are some things I wouldn’t even talk to a therapist about!
There are many memories and names that shouldn’t be forgotten in the history of our club, those who have contributed massively bringing us to this point…
Apart from the serious work of building and maintaining the structure and spirit of a rugby club, allied with the off-field management and administration … things like…
… Seeing Tony Bull leading a rendition of the club song and ‘Who Killed Cock Robin’ was an absolute joy …
… As was seeing former First Team Captain, Club Captain and Chairman of 14 years, Byron Edwards delivering ‘The Tale of Danny Morgan’ (which he can only remember when he’s drunk) and singing the worst version of ‘Annie’s Song’ that you’ve ever heard!
Mike Copestake’s zest for protecting the club’s finances has burned like a comet for well over 30 years and I’m pleased to report it shows no sign of waning…
In a coaching context Bryn Howell always advocated, “It doesn’t matter if we are doing the right thing or the wrong thing – as long as we are doing it together!”
When getting things done Byron has always talked of “Willer’s and Wonter’s & Doer’s and Donter’s!”
Who can forget Embo’s favourite quotes “You earn the right to criticise” he would say and my personal favourite “Don’t mistake kindness for weakness” which was always delivered with a smile but accompanied by the steely glint of a gunslinger, which had the curious effect of making the recipient feel strangely secure and yet massively uncomfortable in equal measure!
There have been many social occasions, fundraising dances at the Granada in the early days, nights at the Tudor Barn, sing-songs and Christmas sing-a-longs and numerous tours – some of which we travelled to on our very own club bus, which had a unique and state of the art toilet facility, years ahead of its time!
Like any family – we have laughed and enjoyed the elation of success and victory – we’ve known the pain of defeat and cried at losing dear friends… and like any family we’ve argued and bickered at times BUT the club has always come first and out there on the field… we have always stood shoulder to shoulder!
We owe a debt of gratitude to our Founder President Ted Lane, who is desperately disappointed at not being well enough to be here today – but he is represented by June, Sue and Tom.
Without his drive and determination in those early days we wouldn’t be here to celebrate today … and today’s game, which is being sponsored by our old friends The Linney Group, is held in his honour.
Together with Ted and all those throughout the years, who have served on committee’s, raised funds, helped behind the bars, coached senior and junior teams, organised tours, cooked teas for players, driven buses and of course our many sponsors, without whom we wouldn’t and couldn’t exist today – I salute you all and offer grateful thanks on behalf of the club…This club is a big part of my life and I know it is for many of you – I believe we have a club we should be very very proud of!
In closing, I would shortly like to propose a toast and then ask our distinguished guest Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the RFU Management Board to reply on behalf of our guests and visitors.
Our game this afternoon is an NLD representative XV versus Mansfield Rugby Club – my thanks to Steve Morley and Paul Elliott who have organised both teams. Following the game there will be presentations of a 50th Anniversary memento to all the players and entertainment provided for us in the form of Kick & Rush around 5.30pm.
Now before I propose the toast, I have a few words from Ted that he would like me to deliver to you on his behalf…
Ted:-
“As you can imagine I am desperately sorry that I cannot be with you in body today but rest assured … I am with you in spirit. Thinking about today over the last few weeks as my health has improved has brought many, many happy memories to mind.
Memories of fun, play, hard work & much socialising, which I now feel have all contributed to making the rugby club as it is today.
Andy has cast his thanks throughout his speech, but I would like to emphasise these thanks to one and all - players, committees, families and friends.
In the beginning I could not have even hoped that my love of rugby would have produced a club like ours, with so much success and so much to look forward to in the future.
WHAT A 50 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, have fun and enjoy the day”.
And so finally, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast… … here’s to the next 50 years and the toast is… …
Happy Birthday Mansfield Rugby Club!
Have a pleasant afternoon – thank you. Martyn…
After Martyn…
Thank you…
Reminder of:
- Presentations after game and Kick ‘n Rush
- Notts County Cup Finals day here on Sunday 7th May
- Youth Section Fun Day following Mansfield Half Marathon Sunday 2nd July
- Final event – 50th Anniversary Ball Saturday 28th October
Buffet open
Enjoy the game, have a great afternoon and evening!
Thank you.
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