1897 ANECDOTE 1

Captain – Frank Soane.

This season is very well documented, but in playing terms, it was not a good or particularly interesting one. There were oft repeated comments on the reluctance to travel to ‘out games’ and there were several instances of first team stalwarts dropping out for flimsy reasons, and again, the unwillingness of some of the junior ranks to step in as replacements.

With the shining exception of Frank Soane, there seemed to be a lack of dedication to the game, and a marked reluctance to engage in decisive tackling in the ‘heavy’ encounters.

With this depression in the Bath club’s playing fortunes, it seemed an appropriate time, to record more of the continuous problems contingent upon the schism between the two rugby philosophies which had come to a head in the ‘Crisis of 1893’, had rumbled on with cancellation of some international competition with Wales, and spawned a hyper-sensitivity to rumours of professional club player approaches, or any infringements of amateur regulations.

Against this background, we will come to the apparently simple proposal to buy, Club Captain Frank Soane – a Wedding Present.

Grosvenor College asked for use of Kensington Meadows.

Free admission to ladies to be discontinued. Members to be supplied with a ladies ticket admitting one lady only, and extra ladies tickets @ 2/6d.

Keene’s Bath Journal 4^th September 1897 reviewed prospects for the coming season. G G Vincent had taken up a post in London, but hoped to turn out for Bath for some of the early games. J McTier had departed for Ceylon to engage in tea cultivation; the same country and industry, which had claimed vice captain J D’Aguilar. There was disappointment that Lieut. F S Reeves, of the East Kent Regiment, would not be available, as he had been posted to the Punjab. Full-back F G Morgan was in Gibraltar. Norman Biggs was still in Batheaston and had signified his willingness to turn out for Bath when possible. Frank Soane was again captain, and would again have F C Belson, F Derrick, Lewis Fry, J Ruddick, G Knight, J Billett, G Ruddick, T B Timmins and C Williams in support.

CHRONICLE ARTICLE 9/9/1897

INSURANCE

Details of the Insurance scheme adopted by Somerset R.F.U. were released. The writer felt doubtful whether Bath would participate. “The rule in the local club had been to pay their wages to players who lose their ordinary source of income by injury in matches.”

“A working man naturally would prefer to receive his full pay from the Committee than be entitled to 14s a week from the county fund.”

“Mr. H G Terry has always proved a kindly and obliging medical advisor, and all things considered the Bath Executive are more likely to continue in the old groove than send a list of members with a florin a knob for each to the secretary of the Somerset Union’s fund.”

Taunton were joining, Mr Fox promising to pay half the premium out of his own pocket!

Meanwhile there were rumours and counter rumours on possible defections to the Northern Union.

Grosvenor College asked for use of Kensington Meadows.

Free admission to ladies to be discontinued. Members to be supplied with a ladies ticket admitting one lady only, and extra ladies tickets @ 2

Keene’s Bath Journal 4^th September 1897 reviewed prospects for the coming season. G G Vincent had taken up a post in London, but hoped to turn out for Bath for some of the early games. J McTier had departed for Ceylon to engage in tea cultivation; the same country and industry, which had claimed vice captain J D’Aguilar. There was disappointment that Lieut. F S Reeves, of the East Kent Regiment, would not be available, as he had been posted to the Punjab. Full-back F G Morgan was in Gibraltar. Norman Biggs was still in Batheaston and had signified his willingness to turn out for Bath when possible. Frank Soane was again captain, and would again have F C Belson, F Derrick, Lewis Fry, J Ruddick, G Knight, J Billett, G Ruddick, T B Timmins and C Williams in support.

CHRONICLE ARTICLE 9/9/1897

INSURANCE

Details of the Insurance scheme adopted by Somerset R.F.U. were released. The writer felt doubtful whether Bath would participate. “The rule in the local club had been to pay their wages to players who lose their ordinary source of income by injury in matches.”

“A working man naturally would prefer to receive his full pay from the Committee than be entitled to 14s a week from the county fund.”

“Mr. H G Terry has always proved a kindly and obliging medical advisor, and all things considered the Bath Executive are more likely to continue in the old groove than send a list of members with a florin a knob for each to the secretary of the Somerset Union’s fund.”

Taunton were joining, Mr Fox promising to pay half the premium out of his own pocket!

Meanwhile there were rumours and counter rumours on possible defections to the Northern Union.