ANECDOTES 1921-1922

Bath Weekly Chronicle 16^th July 1921

“To meet the need for increased covered accommodation at matches on the Recreation Ground, the committee of the Bath Football Club, on Friday week accepted the tender of Messrs. E Chancellor and Sons, of Lower Bristol road, for extending the present grand stand at both ends and for throwing out corrugated iron shelters in front of the present structure. The projected canopy will rest on a series of 15 cantilevers. Messrs. Chancellor’s tender amounts to £457 16s 6d.

The work is to be proceeded with at once, and it is hoped that it will be completed by the first home match in September.”

CHRONICLE 24/9/1921

At the AGM of the Somerset County RFU, it had been noted that some clubs had been privately asking for specific referees to officiate at their games. Resolved: “In future no notice will be taken of any application for any particular referee.”

“Referees are instructed to stop the game immediately if the spectators create a disturbance, and see that the unruly spectators are removed before allowing the game to proceed.”

MANCOM 27/9/1921

A Request from the Supporters Club that the match v Cross Keys be filmed.

Appeal to Supporters Club to try to prevent the spectators from criticising the players of either side while the game is in progress

MANCOM 4/10/1921

Report on Letter from R.F.U.

“The reply from Mr. Marriott of the above date states that Clubs which are not affiliated to the County Union are only governed by the Laws of the Rugby Union, except in regards to the laws against professionalism and under Law 3(B) over which the County Union has control. The Executive has carefully studied the handbook of the Rugby Union and especially that portion which deals with the delegation of powers to the County Unions. The Laws against Professionalism are well known and of such length that it is not necessary to set them forth in this report; the other delegated power under Law 3(B) relates to rough and foul play or misconduct on the field, which gives the Referee instructions to report the offender or offenders to the Rugby Union. The letter referred to our consideration therefore makes it clear that in all other matters this Club, not now being affiliated to a County Union is only responsible to the R.F.U. in regard to other questions that may arise. We would however point out that the Handbook states that County and Club committees have no power to sanction the formation of leagues or combination of clubs and we therefore think it advisable that the rules of the newly formed Bath Rugby Combination should be formally submitted to the Rugby Union for approval, though the nature of that organisation is free from any kind of competition or element likely to foster professionalism.”

CHRONICLE 22/10/1921

Following the Old Edwardians (Birmingham) match, there was a presentation of a silver cigarette case to Herbert Loader who was emigrating to New Zealand. Club Treasurer, G A Roberts, wished him bon voyage and said that his weight would be missed in the pack. He hoped that he would return to his native city – a moneyed man. He was certainly a big man; it is recalled that in the match, Bath ‘A’s v Kingswood School, the headmaster had asked that Bert Loader to avoid ‘falling’ on any of his boys! The cigarette case was supplied by keen supporter, Mr. E Foster, of the Corridor, Bath. (Father of the late Peter Foster, Old Edwardian (Bath) kept the Corridor Wool Shop for many years.)

Bath Weekly Chronicle 19^th November 1921

“The players and officials of Bath Rugby Club will be entertained to a complimentary dinner by the Bath and District Rugby Supporters’ Club, at the White Horse Hotel, Northampton street, on Tuesday evening next, November 22^nd.”

THE RAG DOLL

“The Bath players took the mascot which had been presented to them by Llanelly last season, and, after the game, handed it back to Mr. Mills- a life members of the Llanelly Club, who hopes to bring it to Bath on March 18.”

SUBSTITUTES – NEVER!

“One London writer this week suggests having a man to come on to take the place of an injured one, but I hardly think this will ever become law.”

3/12/1921 BATH V NEWPORT FIRST EVER FIXTURE

AFTER THE MATCH

A BATH AND DISTRICT RUGBY SUPPORTERS’ CLUB OUTING

“To describe the harmony, the enthusiasm and the sporting spirit that prevailed at this function, the whole dictionary might be searched for adjectives, and yet not adequately express the good feeling prevailing. A feature of the concert was the magnificent singing of the Alexandra Dock Male Voice Choir directed by Mr. Brindley Williams. Their glees and part songs were grandly rendered.”

Bath Officials included Mr. Cecil Basden (Hon. Sec. of Bath Supporters’), Mr. A H W Taylor (Chairman), Mr. G A Roberts (Hon. Sec. Bath F C).

“The room was so crowded that a large number were unable to obtain admission.”

MANCOM 3/1/1922

Two instances where people caught gaining admission on other people’s tickets:

Brought before the Committee, one confirmed he had handed his ticket to someone who was short of money and was doing him a good turn. He was asked to donate £1.1s 0 to RUH, and in accepting this – no further action would be taken.

Another ticket was taken while the owner was away for 10 days. The owner was censured to look after his ticket properly. The offender stated that he was unemployed and was asked to donate 5/- to the RUH within 7 days. Receipts of donations to be exhibited. (Receipts duly received)

From CHRONICLE REPORT 28/1/1922

BATH RUGBY SUPPORTERS – “SMOKER”

A large gathering of players, officials and supporters attended a concert, provided by the ‘Zig-Zag Costume Party’ at the Red House. Among the pleasurable performances were such numbers as: “How do you do,” “Men, Men, Men,” “My Ships”, “Kiss me again,” “We’d better put the banns up,” “Memory,” “Where Blighty is,” “Blue Bird,” “Oh! By Jingo,” “Nightingale at June,” “Excelsior,” “Melisande,” “Omaha,” “Rot,” and the “Flower Song” from Faust.

During the evening there was mention of a return skittles match, between the Supporters and Bath Referees.

Newport were bringing a Schoolboy XV to Bath, and there was also a call for support Saturday’s game at Bristol, when a trainload of around 1000 was planned.

Referring to the 16^th March fixture, Mr. Pearce advised that the whole of the stalls at the Palace, had been reserved for the Supporters, and it was up to the members to purchase two or three tickets, and entertain their Newport visitors.

BON VOYAGE!

BATH RUGBY CLUB’S FAREWELL TO ITS OLD CAPTAIN.

REMARKABLE TRIBUTE.

GIFT OF A MAUSER SPORTING RIFLE.

In a packed room, Alderman Percy Jackman took the Chair, amongst a huge gathering of players and officials.

Mr. G A Roberts proposed “Our Guest”, explaining that he had had the honour of introducing Mr. Hope to the Bath Club in the 1912-1913 season. He praised his vivacity and cheeriness, which had made him ‘the life and soul of the party’ on many tedious journeys. He had been a friend to everyone and was absolutely devoid of “swank”.

“Then the war came and in August 1914, he received two postcards from Southampton, they were from Norman Coates and Philip Hope, with their portraits as motor dispatch riders, and said: ‘We’re off to France tomorrow. Cheerio!’ Like other gallant soldiers their friend never said much of his war exploits, but he had heard, from reliable sources, of many perilous rides taken by Philip Hope in bearing dispatches, a service in which he covered thousands of miles in France, with a fearlessness typical of his temperament. Then one day, came another postcard in which took Mr. Taylor and himself to Fishponds, where Hope was in military hospital suffering from the effects of a smash-up in France. They found him his old gay, merry self. Happily recovering he returned to France and, on being demobbed led the Bath side to further successes when they revived activities in the spring of 1919 (applause).”

He went on to recall, Hope’s magnificent try, which helped Bath to beat Leicester 16-3 in September 1919, “which caused the crowd to cheer to the echo.”

Hope was presented with A Mauser Sporting Rifle, a silver salver and a framed picture of the 1921-1922 team.

He concluded with:

“Health to you; all that life can give to you;

May fortune still be kind to you;

Happiness be true to you;

Life be long and good to you;

Is the toast of all your friends to you.”

Club Chairman Arthur Taylor, relayed the comments from Mr. H Brice Mundy, who recalled Hope’s advocacy of the open game, which had been appreciated by all supporters of the rugby code. His dashing bursts for the line would live long in the memories of Bathonians, reminding them of a keen player and an enthusiastic sportsman. Mr Harry Vowles was to take over captaincy, and he also, wished Mr. Hope the best of luck.

In turn, Philip Hope was deeply touched by the tributes paid to him, and as he said, his heart was too full for too many words.

The evening concluded in the brightest and best manner, with musical and humorous entertainment of the highest order.

——————–

A WORD ABOUT F. J. ‘CHUMPY’ RUSSELL  (Playing days 1898-1922)

ONE OF THE GAME’S HARD MEN.

Fred ‘Chumpy’ Russell deserves a special mention. He was one of the finest, yet most controversial players ever to wear a Bath jersey.

At his peak, he was the idol of the crowds; a battling outside-half with a powerful hand-off – described as being as broad as he was long – they did not come much tougher!

A great rugby character, he graduated to Bath, as a scrum-half, emerging from junior sides, Parkfield and St. Georges in 1898.

He took up athletics and boxing to keep in top condition for his rugby; he was quite a handful with his powerful running. His favoured form of training was to send the team out on a road run, and knock them all around his make-shift boxing ring, upon their return.

He played at scrum half and outside half for Bath, with a short period with Walcot, reluctantly giving up at age 43.

“They booed him at Bristol, the County selectors told him: ‘You must be on your best behaviour.’ But so often Fred had the last laugh.”

He was inclined to be a bit rough, and this might have inhibited his County career. A story goes that he scored five tries and had his jersey torn off his back five times in doing so. When speed failed him, he moved into the pack.

Although dedicated to rugby, his boxing days had been turbulent, to say the least! He is reported to have taken on ‘all-comers’ at a £1 a round. There is no record of him ever being beaten!

In Walcot days, there was a story that a Navy boxer had been involved in a Saturday night punch-up with one of Chumpy’s teammates. Chumpy eventually met up with the sailor on the following Friday. By mutual consent, they battled it out in the then, undeveloped, Moorfields district. The ’bout’ lasted all of fifteen minutes, ending with the matelot being ‘projected’ into the nearby stream!

Fred played for Bath during seasons scanning 14 years up to the first World War, including a brief spell at Walcot. His first senior XV appearance for Bath appears to have been on the 10^th November 1900, when Old Edwardians were beaten 5-3.

Seldom out of the limelight, he was the centre of a dispute between Oldfield and his Walcot Club. Oldfield objected to him playing in the Bath Challenge Cup games, when he had already turned out for Bath that season.

After the War, he converted to forward, and was part of this successful  period with Considine, Vowles and Richardson at their brilliant best: “We were very fast, and quick to break among the forwards.”

Somerset County recognised his prowess, quite late in his career. (1920-21 season)

“It was at the age of 43 that Fred, whose brothers Bill, Tom, Ted and Jim all played for Bath, at last gave way to the younger men.  There was a Russell (no initials) playing for Bath on 27^th December 1924, and previously, F J Russell played on the 24^th November 1923. Either of these could have been Chumpy’s last appearance in the Bath colours..

“He did not become lost to the game, however, and in 1924 he passed his referee’s examination.”

So, never wishing to be away from his rugby, he refereed until he was 63, including one or two County Championship matches.  Fred’s son. Len, told the tale that, that on one particularly rainy day, he took to the field sporting a large umbrella!

He still did not retire quietly, and next became an active member of the Bath Old Players’ Association, and later its Chairman.

“In between times Fred had won several cups and hundreds of certificates as a grower of prize vegetables. He has been equally successful as a greyhound owner and as a caged bird fancier.” Whether it was dog or pigeon breeding, horticulture or athletic pursuit, he always strove to be the best – and had the trophies to prove it!

At the time of his death at 83 (in 1964) – he was a Club Patron. He was outspoken to the last and considered standards had declined because players did not take the game or training seriously.

“Whether he was right or wrong about that, no-one would dispute that few men did so much to put on the map the Bath club whose centenary he did not live to see.”

Adapted from CHRONICLE 10/6/1922

Report and Accounts

CLUB’S GOOD FINANCIAL POSITION

It was reported that the Bath team was now regarded as one of the first-class sides in the United Kingdom, and thanks were due to the players, who had so greatly brought Bath rugby into prominent status. I J Pitman had gained an England Cap, and S G U Considine had been Reserve for England in several matches.

There had been improvements to the Grand Stand amounting to £491 10s. Electric light for training facilities had been installed.

Local rugby had been encouraged. “Excellent results have attended the formation of the Bath and District Rugby Combination, while the insurance fund inaugurated in 1921, largely at the initiative of our Hon. Treasurer, has proved most helpful and at the end of the season was in a sound financial state.”

THE BALANCE SHEET

Record gate receipts amounted to £2356, and season tickets brought in £524.

Principle payments were £441, as Recreation Ground Company share of gate, Entertainment tax £554; Gas, Light and Water £38 8s 9d; Jerseys, boots etc £112 14s 10 1/2d; Guarantees £273; Police £26 11s 2d; Grand Stand improvements £491; Work on ground £26 15s 1d; Junior Clubs, Schools etc. £23 19s 3d; Player insurance £63 2s 6d; Entertaining visiting teams £22 9s 10d; Printing, postage and stationery £160 7s 1d; Referees £27 16s; wages £65 9s 11d; Travelling expenses £535 9s 5d; Proceeds of Old Crocks match to R.U.H. ££29 12s 3d; Training expenses £45 1ws; Income tax £41 14s.

Most Officials attended all 38 Committee meetings.