Following on from Taff (farmer) Jones I thought these times warranted some input on the club website. I would invite more to do it – especially those of a certain age to keep those grey cells going! In fact, though, everyone is cordially invited to participate in this activity – just think what fun you will have remembering those times – but more importantly you will be giving the website and its readers an insight into the fundamental question we all have - WHY? It is only when you have some time on your hands that you look back and think how long ago was that!

Who was instrumental in getting me down to Malone Field? There were a number of people involved. The main instigators were Dave Wilde, Barrie Pilgrim and Eddie Cooper. I had known Dave and Eddie from Port Sunlight Mens’ Club and it was on one Friday evening while I was resting from the exertions of snooker and darts that we struck up a conversation about rugby. I was asked if I had played etc.

They invited me down to watch but I put it off as you do sometimes. But every Friday evening we would talk about rugby with some of the other members who happened to be members of Wallasey and Prenton. I kept ducking the question of going down because there was always something else to do on a Saturday afternoon. In fact, at that time I was the secretary of Bromborough Pool football club – who were the oldest amateur club in England, who were still playing.

It was in 1999 that I met Barrie Pilgrim at Wirral rugby club when both our sons were playing for Wirral juniors. Barrie also asked me to come down to Malone Field and have a pint and watch a game. As it happened, earlier that year, Bromborough Pool folded due to a lack of volunteers and players. What a sad time!

But now I had no excuse and my Saturday afternoons were now vacant. I wasn’t going to go shopping and I didn’t want to stay in the house. I picked Dave Wilde up from his house that Saturday and that continued until his untimely death. I got to Malone Field and saw Barrie and Eddie. I was bought a pint. After watching the game (don’t ask me who we were playing) I was bought another pint and we were chatting by Colin’s corner (pillar). I was introduced to a few people and really enjoyed myself.

I got to know some of the history of how the club was formed and could understand and empathise with the people. In my youth I went to an Irish Christian brother’s grammar school in Sunderland called St Aidan’s, and so there was that camaraderie about having been battered by the brothers and having endured the infamous leather strap! And, of course the rugby.

One of the first people I met was John Duffy who was in his first year as chairman of the club. Of course, John being an historian, or at least a history teacher, was keen to tell me more about the club and its players. I made a point of getting to know the players and it was great to have a pint and chat with them about the game they had just played in.

Later that year John asked me if I wanted to get really involved in the club. I said yes without knowing what was in his mind. He asked me if I would become secretary as John Greaves was resigning the role. I said yes and have never regretted that decision.

It has been a great honour and privilege to have served the club. Being involved at any level in the club is very satisfying and rewarding but also can be very frustrating. But that is life isn’t it?

Dealing with big organisations like the RFU also has its ups and downs, sometimes good and sometimes bad. But nevertheless, it is the people of the club that matter - whether it be players (of all ages) supporters or officials – it is for them – and that is why we do what we do. We are trying to put something back into the club for the good times we have had. We want those good times for others now and in the future.

At the end of the day, come what may, we belong to the club because we love what we do, we enjoy our friendships and in my case I thank the people who introduced me to Anselmians and to those who got me involved. I have enjoyed my time and was happy to get back involved at a critical time in the club’s history. I enjoy watching the players, especially away from home and of course enjoy a coach journey back home!

I have had great pleasure in watching Anselmians rugby and seen some great players and some great games. Long may it continue.