1953-1954 ANECDOTES

1953-1954 Anecdotes

MANCOM 22/6/1953

Agreed that a set of Clubhouse Rules be drafted. The Ground’s Committee comprised of Messrs. Anderson, C Bailey, Jones, Smith, Beazer, Dingle and Halse, delegated to control building arrangements. A list of investors to be drawn up.

A member of Selection Committee to attend all levels of Club matches. Selection Committee: Messrs Arnold, Burrough, Crane, Jones and Halse.

MANCOM 6/7/1953

Mr. Anderson reported that the building Licence application for the ‘Hut’ had been refused. Mrs Gerrard to be co-opted on to the Grounds Committee, and preparatory site clearance work go ahead. Meanwhile Mr Cyril Beazer to lead a deputation to the Ministry of Works.

Proceeds of the Memorial Match to be shared 50-50 between Memorial Fund and Club House Fund.

More bad news from the Ministry of Works received via the R.F.U. They saw no hope of approval for the West Stand under prevailing conditions. The suggestion was re-application in a year’s time to seek approval of a scheme within a £5000 limit.

Admission prices fixed at:- Full membership Gents £2 2s.0, Ladies £1 1s. 0, Players 10/-, Members to ground Enclosure 30/-, Old Players Admission 10/-, Ground Admission 1/-, Enclosure 1/6. Transfer to Enclosure West Stand 1/-, North Stand 9d.

Skipper, John Roberts reported that the players proposed organising a scheme to raise money for the Hut Fund.

Mr Alf Ball accepted job as baggage man for the 1^st XV. His brother, Mr Bob Ball to Captain the United XV.

MANCOM 4/8/1953

Letter of congratulations sent to Recreation Ground Company, following their success in obtaining a Licence to re-build the West Stand. Decided to apply for a License to spend up to £1000 on the project.

MANCOM 31/8/1953

Mr Norman Halse agreed the act as O/C Medical Supplies and Balls.

10/10/1953 Programme commented that Lt. Col. R W Owen had written to say his son Robin was due to arrive in Korea 8th October 1953. Comment included because Robin Owen had been an extremely popular and talented Bath three-quarter and serviceman.

News that Bill Donnelly was rejoining the Club as a playing member.

BUILDING LICENCE

The Club intended to complete a concrete terracing for the full length of the ground, and eventually, to build a new stand. They had actually been battling to obtain a building licence for post-war improvements since the blitz days of 1942.

MANCOM 12/10/1953

Reported that the Supporters’ Club had agreed to erect a 20’ Flowerpot Stand on the Popular side of the ground.

PRESENTATION TO CHRONICLE SPORTS REPORTER

“There was a pleasing little ceremony in the dressing room before Bath went out. John Roberts, in a happy little speech, handed to ‘The Captain’ (Mr. A S Matthews) a handsome pipe and tobacco pouch (well filled) from the players as a tribute of appreciation of his long journalistic association with the club.

‘Caught on the wrong foot’ by this delightful surprise, he warmly thanked John and all the players for their forethought and kindness and said that, though he will be no longer writing his ‘Notebook,’ his connection with the Club will continue.”

In an off-fixture list game, Bristol and Bath XV’s met with Cliff Weston at outside half, and his Schoolboy International brother, Brian Weston at Centre. Another instance of the many brothers who have appeared in the Bath colours over the years.

Sheriff  ‘Hi-jacked.’

“It could only happen to Gio… With but a few minutes left before the kick-off between Bath and Bristol on Monday, Gio Sidoli and Royston Collins, Bath’s half-backs were at Bristol Centre with no means of getting to the Memorial Ground. There were no buses or taxis in sight.

However, resourceful as ever, Sidoli tapped the window of a large green car and explained his predicament to the driver, who immediately took them to the ground and the kick off was only a couple of minutes late.

The driver? Mr. Alan O. Wills Sheriff of Bristol who once at the Memorial Ground, decided to stay and watch the match!

“I thought his face seemed familiar.” Gio told me after the game.   (Football Herald & Chronicle 2^nd January 1954)

News that ‘Herbie’ Davies was joining from R.A.F. Yatesbury.

‘The Captain’ Closes His ‘Notebook’

2^nd January 1954 Mr. A S Mathews (“The Captain”) retired as Sports Correspondent for the Bath Chronicle. Future Rugby topics were to be reported by Peter J Marshall (“P.J.M.”) Colleagues, and former players were rich in their tributes to the retiring journalist.

CASUALTY LIST

Brian Weston still in R.U.H. following cartilage operation.

David Hancock had just had his leg plaster removed.

Brian Fear was ‘in’ for an appendix operation.

Sid Porter and Angus Meek had flu.

Hudson Adams had a back injury and

Maurice Bailey had a dog bite.

Former President and well known author, Arnold Ridley, was out of hospital after a hand operation.

In his words, the surgery: “was more successful than I had dared hope.” To a prolific writer, this was the best of news.

THUMBS DOWN v CARDIFF

There was a flood of  ‘Letters to the Editor’ following this encounter and we have included a few ‘cuttings.’

“It was indeed disappointing to see such a puerile display by our Bath side.” “Having seen the game between

Cardiff II and Bath, it was a treat to see rugby football as it should be played-but by the Welshmen. I only wish Bath could play more like it. Do the Bath players practice in the week, for practice makes perfect?”

“This disastrous defeat may stand Bath in good stead if they can learn from it the necessity of quick heeling, the art of always being in position, both to check an opposition attack and to initiate their own.”

“I wonder how well advised the Club is in giving regular games to the young R.A.F. players who are in the neighbourhood for a very limited period.” Several letters were in this vein, calling for the fostering of local talent.

MANCOM 18/1/1954

The Players Association donated a cheque THUMBS DOWN v CARDIFF

There was a flood of  ‘Letters to the Editor’ following this encounter and we have included a few ‘cuttings.’

“It was indeed disappointing to see such a puerile display by our Bath side.” “Having seen the game between

Cardiff II and Bath, it was a treat to see rugby football as it should be played-but by the Welshmen. I only wish Bath could play more like it. Do the Bath players practice in the week, for practice makes perfect?”

“This disastrous defeat may stand Bath in good stead if they can learn from it the necessity of quick heeling, the art of always being in position, both to check an opposition attack and to initiate their own.”

“I wonder how well advised the Club is in giving regular games to the young R.A.F. players who are in the neighbourhood for a very limited period.” Several letters were in this vein, calling for the fostering of local talent.

MANCOM 18/1/1954

The Players Association donated a cheque for £100 towards the Social Hut Fund.

It was an eventful week in Bath rugby:-

Forward John Dingle had departed to throw in his lot with the Bristol Club. Spirits were raised with the announcement of a forthcoming French Tour. There was an outline agreement for greater co-operation with the Combination Clubs to foster local talent. The ‘A’ team was to remain as the club ‘nursery.’ Under the system, local clubs would know well in advance, which of their players were going to have four games with the Bath Club: “Handled diplomatically, and with goodwill all round, the system is one which can put Bath rugby back in a strong position.”

Efforts would be made to increase membership for the following season, and also improve on an average attendance of 2000. The Supporters’ Club were 300 strong, and active in raising funds for the Club and District Rugby generally.

David Naylor had received a ‘stand-by Reserve’ card for England.

The ‘A’ XV found themselves a man short, when they arrived to play Imperial seconds. Committeeman and Veteran scrum-half  ‘Curly’ Halse, stepped forward and played at centre.

OUR CYRIL

There was one Saturday afternoon, when Committee man and builder Cyril Beazer, was refused admission by the Recreation Company groundsman. At that time, he was occupied with re-building of the West Stand. The first stages being the removal of debris and exposing the foundations.

Cyril Beazer was the founder of what was to become, an internationally renowned building company, Beazer Holdings. He learned his trade as a stonemason. A great character. While still a local builder, he served on Committee, became President and was a generous benefactor to the Club. He had a house with a swimming pool on Entry Hill, and used to drive around in an bright coloured Buick convertible.

His memory is perpetuated by the ‘Beazer Maze’ situated near the Riverside entrance to the Ground. Just for the record – he paid for that too!

TELEVISED RUGBY

There was R.F.U. resistance to B.B.C. proposals to televise rugby. Proposals for screening the Bath v Neath match were treated as a test case. Attempts to televise Club rugby were then abandoned for the season.

MANCOM 1/2/1954

Lady helpers to arrange post match teas for the players.

A hearty vote of thanks to the sub committee who had brought the establishment of a Clubhouse to fruition.

6^th February 1954. The Football Herald reported on the accumulation of £1000 in the Memorial Fund. This Fund had been founded eight years previously, to provide a Memorial and tribute to Bath and District players who had died in the World Wars. The original purpose had been to provide a ground for Combination Clubs, but there had not been a specific demand for assistance in this area. Mr. A J Eagles of Englishcombe Lane wrote a lengthy letter, which concluded:  “However, I feel that eight years after the war, something ought to be done. I should like to see part of the new clubhouse named after those who lost their lives.

Junior club players could be invited to use the clubhouse at the invitation of the Bath club and so keep the good spirit which exists between the Bath club and the Combination.” A Commemorative Plaque was suggested.

MANCOM 22/2/1954

Mr Jones gave a detailed outline of the history and purpose of the Memorial Fund. A Memorial Fund Committee was to be formed comprising Messrs. Jones, Crane, Burrough, J Bailey, the Hon. Sec., and the Hon. Treasurer, together with three nominees from the Combination Clubs. (viz. Mrs Durk and Messrs. J New and R Stratton)

Mr. Beazer announced he would be pleased to present a board, to be fixed in the Clubroom, with the names of players killed in the war and also a board listing past captains

MANCOM 6/5/1954

A hearty vote of thanks to Norman ‘Curly’ Halse and his helpers, for the demolishing and storing the temporary West Stand.

Hon. Sec. asked to congratulate Roger Bannister, ex City of Bath School, upon achieving a new Mile Record.

MANCOM 17/5/1954

The Mayor, President and Secretary of the R.F.U., President and Secretary of Somerset to be invited to the official opening of the West Stand on September 16^th 1954 and the Club Headquarters were officially established at the new Clubhouse.