Old Williamsonians RFC

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 30

Hi, just clearing out the attic and came across a copy of the Old Williamsonian mag date 1966 which reminded me of the OWRFC so looked up website.

Really sorry to hear of Les Holland's death. Many a game I played with Les and you would frequently hear him singing as he ran with ball in hand. Also had many a memorable piss up with him, Charlie Knott and Yogi Pitkin. This was in the mid 60's and other players I can remember were Buz Busridge, Jim Sheath, Eddie Schilling, Phil Miles, Jim Jones, John Gissing, ? Biggar, Rod Philpott, Roy Figes, Terry Alcock, Kevin Upham, Pete Benzies, Barry Pavey, Stan Palmer.

When I first started playing we repaired to the Coopers arms for refreshments and a year or two later migrated to the Crown Hotel on the esplanade. Last Autumn I was in Rochester and it was interesting to see the city walls in all their glory once the old school had been removed plus the other changes to the city.

If any of the above players are still alive and kicking it would be interesting to hear from them. Best wishes to the club for the forthcoming season.

Perhaps you could post this on the forum (being an old fart not familiar with such technology).

Phil West

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 30

When I first started in 64 we met in the Coopers Arms, even smaller than it is now with just the front 2 bars open to the public. Run by Ethel and husband who's name I forget. Often because of the numbers we'd overflow into their backroom which was their private quarters. There was just one outside toilet in a little lean to. Drinking after the game was a pretty social affair and any other time if we could find an excuse. Cant remember whether it was Buz's stag do or 21st but we managed to pour 3 gallons into him before he needed to part company with it. He made it to the toilet but unfortunately still had his hand over his mouth and liberally plastered the walls and ceiling. Fortunately it was outside and a quick hose down soon rectified.

Quite often we'd play games in the bar, forfeits being drinks. often the drink was a bob's worth of spirit measured by Ethel. To you youngsters a bob was a shilling (5p) whilst a full shot was just over 2 shillings. However Ethel's measures were very generous.

Regular first team fixtures in those days were Canterbury, Thanet Wanderers, Ashford, Deal, Snowdon and Betteshanger Colleries. In fact it was at one of the latter that we had a good crowd, many of the miners coming off shift swelling the crowd to several hundred. It was a fairly close game and towards the end our winger Terry Alcock made a break down the wing only to be thwarted 10-20 yards out by having a walking stick from the crowd , trip him up. Of course it wasn't seen by the ref !!

We moved to The Crown some time later (dont know why - maybe Ethel had retired or gone bankrupt.) We used an upstairs function room and the landlord placed a barrel of bitter in the corner for our use. We sold it at 2 shillings (10p) a pint, a bit cheaper than it is today. After virtually game we'd have a singsong, mostly bawdy rugby songs. However back in those days the Math School put on an annual Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta. It wasn't unusual for the guys to to a bit of G&S particularly in the downstairs bar.

Most of the away trips necessitated using a coach (not sure if we had enough cars). Money being tight we'd go for the cheapest which wasn't exactly in pristine condition. So old and decrepid was this transport meant that it had wooden floors. We soon found out you could lift a couple of these which was wonderful because it was many years before toilets were introduced to coaches. However great care was required as if you weren't accurate you would hit the prop shaft and a golden shower would be had by all.

Final memory is using the Tartar Frigate down in Broadstairs after playing Thanet Wanderers. This time it was the 21st of our fly half John Moss. Again we filled him with beer, including a yard of ale. As soon as he got back on the coach he past out with his mouth open. Every time the coach went over a bump beer gently trickled out of the corner of his mouth as he was so full.

Well that's all for now. Hope it brings back memories for some.