1930-1931 ANECDOTES

AGM 11/7/1930

Following proposition by Mr. Considine, seconded by Mr Ridley, agreed that captains of each team be elected by ballot by Regular Players of that team. Subject to approval by the Committee.

MANCOM 12/8/1930

Red House available for post match teas at 5/- per night.

MANCOM 19/8/1930

Proposition that a Special General meeting be called as soon as possible to consider changing the name of Bath ‘A’ to Bath United, and Bath Extras to Bath ‘A’.

Agreed usual donation of £1 1s 0 to Mayor’s Fresh Air Fund.

MANCOM 25/8/1930

Authorised purchase of 15 pairs of stockings from Mr. Hawkins and knickers from Messrs. Moore. Also to purchase jerseys with 2 1/2” stripes from Messrs. Crooks.

LEICESTER V BATH  16/09/1930

TRAIN TRAVEL

A seemingly big decision on whether to travel by train or coach. In fact, players asked to decide. In the event, they opted for the 8-30a.m.G.W.R. train, and in those days the Club had the courtesy of a Form 1522 from the G.W.R. station, confirming booking details. The alternative transport was described as a charabanc or saloon bus, hired from Bath Tramways Company. The party duly assembled on Bath Spa station, along with “Jack Cutting and his big bag, A E Anderson the official touch judge, and a few very keen supporters.”

“Amy Johnson’s visit to Leicester probably affected the gate, for the crowd was not great, at any rate, from the start.”  Greenlees, the Scottish International, captained the Tigers.

Bath had a good share of the early play, and Weeks just missed with a drop goal attempt.  In drizzling rain, Greenlees cleared well for the Tigers, as Spence and Haydon worried the home defence. However, it was Leicester’s Llewellyn who was first to score in the twentieth

minute. “Slade did fine work after the restart, but the wet ball was handicapping the backs, and both sides made mistakes.”Spence levelled with an unconverted try, but Bath were unfortunate to lose Banks , and could not take advantage of the quick heel in the closing minutes. Wardle just missed a try after a Leicester fumble.

“Player after player made desperate struggles to force a way through and Hancock, in particular, gave the Tigers’ tacklers much trouble.”  It was an excellent beginning against a talented Leicester side.

18/10/1930

Bristol Programme comment: 18/10/1930

“One of the chief reasons for Bath’s success is the fact that they have a well balanced side and rank second to none in team spirit. They possess few individual stars, but they are so “all together” that they are a difficult side to defeat. In Slade they possess one of the finest full backs in England; the three-quarter line is fast and resolute, while the arrival of Benson (the Oxford Blue) has strengthened the halves considerably. Forward, Bath have always been strong, and this season is no exception. Ian Spence, the wing forward is this season’s captain, and his vice captain, Norman Matthews (the Trial Cap) is also in the pack.”

BATH SCHOOLS – REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY  1931

The Stroud game was preceded by Somerset & Gloucester Boys v Devon & Cornwall Boys’

It was the first occasion a four-counties Boys’ match had been played at Bath. It was the first season for the Official Somerset Schools Rugby Union. Playing for the Somerset & Gloucester side was City of Bath schoolboy forward Alec Richard Thom. Cecil Ascott of Oldfield School, Captain of Bath Boys XV, and Somerset, was first reserve.

At that time, the last boy to gain an International Cap was Robert Rose, of Oldfield School; he played for England against Wales in 1924, at Cardiff.

C Parsons, forward and Harry Vowles, scrum half, had previously gained schoolboy caps whist at East Twerton School. Indeed, East Twerton provided no less than four England trialists in 1906-7. The School record was: Played 14, Won 14. Points for 441, Against 0!

News that Tommy Rose, a former Bath and Somerset player was attempting a solo flight from  England to Cape Town. His first game for Bath was in 1924, when he was introduced to the Club by

W J Gibbs. Rose had additionally played for an R.A.F. Representative team whilst a serving officer at Netheravon. He was in the Somerset team that won the County Championship.

SPECIAL MEETING 20/2/1931

Rule 1 to be deleted, and the following Rule substituted ‘That the Club be called Bath F C.

That the Annual Subscription be not less than 15/6, everyone paying such subscription shall receive a season ticket entitling the holder to admission to the Enclosure at Club matches (provided the Committee shall have power to close the ground to members on such occasions as the Committee may determine) and to vote at General Meetings of the Club. Grandstand membership tickets may be obtained at such prices as the committee may decide. Ladies Admission Tickets may be similarly obtained but these convey no voting powers. The Minimum subscription for Vice presidents shall be 10/6 in addition to the price of the Annual Subscription.’

MANCOM 23/2/1931

Sub Committee to go into the question of ground improvements and the possibility of acquiring the ground.

MANCOM 30/3/1931

Letter to County Committee: “We view with great concern the scarcity of good referees and the method of their appointment and consider the time ripe for the County Committee to try to remedy the matter.”

Allegations of unsportsmanlike behaviour at the Newport match, had been levelled at the Bath Home supporters by someone under the nom de plume of “The Recording Angel”

“They (the crowd) are all so absolutely biased in favour of the local team to the extent that nearly all the visiting players are considered as regular offenders.”

In a Chronicle article dated 1^st April 1931, Mr. Arnold Ridley was prompted to respond: “I don’t think the letter was unjustified, but I think it is a very small section of the crowd which is unsporting, and it is not confined to any particular part of the ground. Speaking generally, I think the Bath crowd is one of the most sporting in England, and I have seen a considerable number of matches, both home and away. Its reputation is suffering now because of a small minority who do not understand the game.”