Harlow Rugby Club Captains’ Dinner

November 16th 2007

Last Friday Harlow Rugby Club held a Captains Dinner at which former 1^st XV Captains joined players from their playing days. The present club captain Nick Ford was present together with eleven other captains spanning the period from the 1960s to the present day.  A total of over 90 members attended.

Chris Locke the club President welcomed the members and their guests and introduced the speaker for the evening the club senior coach Matt Davies who stressed the importance of the social aspects of the game and lifelong friendships that arise from the commitment that members put in during their playing career.  The club has traditionally awarded life membership to members who have made an exceptional contribution to the club and Club Chairman Alan Brooking unveiled a new honours board listing their names. He stressed the commitment they had show as players, coaches and administrators at the club and in many cases all three. Club President Chris Locke took advantage of the occasion to invited one of the former captains Alan Price to become a life member of the club. Alan has been a member for over 35 years and in addition to a long and very successful playing career has held a number key posts including club secretary. When he retired from the game he also made a further contribution as a member of the London referees Society.

Chris Locke auctioned the collection of rugby ties which had belonged to former president the late Ron Bracewell and had been kindly donated to the club by his daughter. There was keen competition from Ron’s former colleagues to own one and in all they raised over £600 for the club.

The evening ended with the microphone being passed among the captains present who reminded the club of highlights in their playing days, not all on the pitch, and who paid tribute to many former players including a number of absent friends.

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