1929-1930 ANECDOTES

15/7/1929 AGM Presided over by Alderman J H Colmer, with W T Pearce, of Bristol, the new President of the R.F.U. in attendance. Mr. Pearce recalled his memory of the early days, and instanced changing in a cow shed, for Bristol v Bath on Kensington Meadows. He described Rugby as a hard game learned in a hard school: “It was a virile game in which 30 players were sharing the fun.” Alluding to the previous split with the County: “Bath had come to a wise decision in once more throwing in their lot with Somerset. (applause)”

The meeting was advised that, season ticket holding wives could attend the annual meeting, but they could not vote. The pavilion debt had been reduced to £250.

F .J. Cashnella – Life Member

Mr. Arnold Ridley proposed “That in return for his services to Rugby Football in this city and to this club in particular, Mr. F J Cashnella be elected a life member of the Bath Football Club.” Seconded by W H Sheppard.

“Cash’s” first game was in the ‘A’ XV on 17^th September 1898. He was elevated to the first XV during the following season and maintained a regular place until 1922 – a period of 24 years. During six of the seasons, he did not miss a game, be it home or away. In 1901 he was made captain and played his first Somerset game. He had attended some 800 committee meetings and contributed  much of his spare time to the Club. He was co-founder of the Bath Schools Union in 1905, and in 1908 founded eight junior teams to carry on the work of the

MANCOM 21/10/1929

FRANK CASHNELLA RESIGNED

Following a disagreement on policy, the Committee received a letter from Mr. Cashnella, tendering his resignation. The following resolution was moved by Mr. Considine, seconded by Mr. Sheppard and carried: “That we unanimously uphold the captain’s actions on Saturday, but will withold Mr. Cashnella’s resignation to allow him to reconsider his decision.” At that time, Cashnella had served 28 years on Committee. From reports, it appears he was upset at performance aspects of the Cardiff game and decided to adhere to his decision to resign: “unless some arrangements are made whereby the Selection Committee shall be in a position to proffer advice to the captain, when it is obvious, as in the Cardiff match, that the team is not doing well.”

Evidently, at half time, Cashnella had advised skipper, Spence to get Lester and Banks to change positions and Spence had declined.

TWO NIGHTS – TOO MUCH!

Following a run of losses, The CHRONICLE reported on a Club supporter who wrote in to say that he thought the team were over-trained: “Two evenings a week, he says, are too much. Most first clubs have one, and do it thoroughly. Perhaps other followers would like to voice their opinions.”

MANCOM 9/12/1929

5/-donation towards expenses of Sportsmans’ Service.

£1.1.0 sent to R.U.H. in memory of the late Arthur Taylor.

Agreed that if the Rec. Ground be flooded, the Hon.Sec. to get the Combe Down ground for the Richmond match.

On the Thursday before the Richmond game, the pitch had been flooded three foot deep at the North Parade end. The Fire Brigade pumping could make little impression after pumping off 250 gallons a minute. The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that the pumping had not lowered the flood one-hundredth part of an inch. Bath Chronicle:

“On Saturday morning there was a decided improvement, although there was water up to the 25 line. It was decided to risk it and advertise the game on the Rec. Then the water went quicker than it came, and at 12.30 the ground was absolutely clear of flood.

What surprised everyone was that the turf showed no effects of having been submerged for nearly a fortnight. It has been many times worse on scores of occasions.”

EVERYONE, BUT EVERYONE!

Bath were playing better rugby and there was a good spirit in the team.  “….the players are such a happy lot together. There is no grousing! Everyone is as good as everyone else, and everyone respects everyone else simply because everyone is a member of the same side. It has been my pleasure to mix with the Bath players for more than 20 years, and I never remember a happier lot.”

“To my way of thinking they were very much at home in the mud. Everyone of them.

NORMAN MATTHEWS MISSES CAP

“Surely no player has had harder luck than Norman Matthews had last Saturday. He missed his International Cap by 20 minutes. As a reserve he travelled to Penarth on Friday, and before leaving the hotel for the match on Saturday, he was told to take his kit. He was the only reserve who received such orders. He had to go into the pavilion with the players and wait or stand by.

Norman knew that Tucker had been sent for, but there was a doubt as to whether he would get there in time. Matthews took his overcoat off towards it. But 20 minutes from the kick-off, at 2.25, Sam put in an appearance. So Norman put on his coat and hat again and cleared off to watch instead of play.”

“It was extremely bad luck on the Bath man, but, of course, although he was greatly disappointed he took it all in good part.”

TEAM SELECTION

COMMITTEE DUST-UP – 1930 STYLE!

BATH CHRONICLE 8/2/1930

News that Mr. E F Gooding had resigned from Committee. His special responsibility was to look out for new talent for the Club.

“It is understood he has been led to take this step of sending in his resignation as his views on certain players do not coincide with those of other members of the Committee.”

In his letter of the 12^th February, Gooding explained his dissatisfaction over the non selection of Merrett:

“After playing 18 games for the first and second teams he was turned down with the remark “He has no defence.” Gooding was a strong exponent of the attacking game, and felt that his fellow selectors had treated him badly.

“On glancing at the team v. Llanelly I saw three wings selected, one crocked in Devon Services game, and evidently it was known that this threequarter could not make his journey. Merrett, I must explain, was not notified, or asked to make the journey before late on Friday, with the result that he could not oblige.

I will ask the public openly. Is this fair to the player and myself, who, as I have said, am always pleased to make a player play himself all out every time he dons the jersey?”

“I don’t wish the public to think that I am a dictator or a tutor to them in regard to selecting teams, but let us be just to players and public alike.”

“absolute rubbish”

In an interview on the 14^th February, Honorary Secretary Eddie Simpkins, found it necessary to denounce rumours of Class Distinction, apparently levelled at the Club. He said it was absolute rubbish to suggest that the Club was attempting to form an all “plus fours” Rugby team. Players were selected in ability: “We do not trouble whether a player has been to a Public School or a Council School.” Referring to the controversy over Merrett: “Merrett missed his chance of getting back into the first team by allowing Wardle to go to Llanelly. Merrett was asked to go on the Friday dinner-time. He said he could not get away. Wardle was asked at 8 o’clock on Friday night and accepted. Wardle played a good game and has kept his place.”

The upset rumbled on, with a further letter to the Editor. It prompted an explanation as to who selected the teams. It is interesting to record that the Selection Committee was very large by modern standards. That season it consisted of:- Messrs. Considine, Sheppard, Lewis, Scott Reid and Gray, with the officials, the captain and vice captain of the ‘A’s, the captain of the Extras, the Hon. Secretary and the Hon. Treasurer. Mr I F M Spence acted as Chairman. There were therefore 11 old players, eight of whom at some time, played for Bath 1^st XV.

Selection commenced at 7-15pm on Mondays, “AND VERY OFTEN THEY HAVE NOT FINISHED AT 8PM.”

HUGE CROWD FOR BRISTOL DERBY

HUNDREDS FROM BRISTOL

Bristolians poured into Bath in their hundreds this afternoon to see the Bath-Bristol Rugger match on the Recreation Ground.

Before the kick-off motor cars, parked broadwise to the road and two deep, lined Pulteney Street from top bottom, and there was an “overflow” in Henrietta Street and Sydney Place.

The teams, before the match, went over to the cricket pavilion to be photographed together, and both teams had a separate photograph taken, that of Bath’s XV, including I F M Spence, who was unable to play, in “mufti.”

“I have never seen a larger crowd on the Rec.,” Spence said. “It ought to be a rattling good game.”

After the game had begun crowds, although thinning, were still coming in. There was a heavy but orderly crush at the Pulteney Weirs entrance, where season ticket holders and those who had to pay for admission then and there were entering by the same gate.

The Mayor of Bath (Counsellor Andrew Bateman) was present at the match.

The band and Buglers of the 4^th Battn. Somerset L.I., augmented by some of the band of the 2^nd Battn. marched through the city to the ground, and before the match and during the interval they played selections.

This was the first time a military band had played, and it was a great success. It marched up and down while playing, reminiscent of Twickenham.

When the game started every available seat was filled and there were hundreds standing, including a very large sprinkling of the fair sex.

The weather was almost spring like, and the turf in splendid condition.”

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Bristol defeated for the first time in five years.

A Double against Bristol for the first time since 1888.

Unbeaten by any club in Somerset or Gloucester for the first time on record.

Llanelly beaten for the first time for 5 years.