1958-1959 Anecdotes

1958-1959 ANECDOTES
At the AGM on 27th June 1958, Mr. B C Barber was unanimously elected as a Life member, in recognition and appreciation of 28 years as a player, Captain, Chairman and President of the Club.
Blazer badges presented to Roy Farnham, Tony Jacob and Dave Ogden.
After presenting his report, the retiring John Roberts was presented with a pair of suitably inscribed tankards, as a mark of appreciation of his loyal service as Club Captain.

MANCOM 7/7/1958
Mr. N (Curly) Halse was again official in charge of footballs and medical supplies, but the job now warranted an assistant. Mr Bob Ball was appointed to that role.
Improvements to the Clubhouse had been approved and it was reported that G Mannings & Sons had quoted £1339 for the work.

MANCOM 21/7/1958
News of an offer of £3750 for the Lambridge Ground. The Secretary was instructed to call a special meeting if necessary. The Valuation Report had been accepted.

Messrs Mannings instructed to commence work on the Clubhouse improvements.

Bath Tramways quotation of £262. 5s 6d for the 1958-59 season’s coach transport accepted.

Social Club Treasurer K T M Holmes expressed grave concern at the drop in percentage profit. Sales had increased, but a corresponding increase in profits had not followed. Mr Holmes suggested the formation of a Bar Committee, by co-opting members of the Management Committee.

MANCOM 24/7/1958
It was decided to offer Mr. Longrigg £3900 for Lambridge. As an old Club member, he would be asked if he was prepared to bear the cost of legal expenses and stamp duty.

MANCOM 11/8/1958
Following payment of a deposit, the question of grazing rights on Lambridge, the sewers, and re connection of gas and water to be considered. Horse Show Ground owners to be asked of the circumstances under which the Lambridge Grandstand was built, as it appeared to be a fixture.
Bath Police R.F.C. permitted to train on Rec. Combination Coaching Course refused because of current state of the ground. A letter from Fred Daw of the Parks Department, complaining of players damaging the cricket outfield on training nights.
A letter from Combe Down R.F.C. recommending two players for the Club – Morton Evans and Ray Woolford.

CHRONICLE & HERALD 16th August 1958
Tom Smith had agreed to Captain the United XV, and Austin Thomas the ‘A’s. This meant that the 1st XV and the ‘A’ XV were captained by former pupils of King Edward’s School.
Among the newcomers were Navel Officer John Jacobson stationed with the Admiralty at Bath, Philip Hall, a 15 year old farming lad from Tormartin, already an England Schoolboy International, and Tony Short, wing forward, who had played the odd game for Oxford University Greyhounds.
Confirmation that the former Horse Show Ground at Lambridge, formerly used by Bath City AFC before their move to Twerton Park, had been purchased for some £4000. The intended use was for the ‘A’ XV and for training purposes. Flooding was the main problem, and controlled tipping was envisaged.
MANCOM 18/8/1958
It was confirmed that Mr. Sully held grazing rights which would expire on September 29th. He was to be offered £5 to keep his cattle off the main playing pitch. Secretary to write to Bath Schools RFC to ascertain how much they were prepared to pay for use if the Lambridge ground. (Offer of £10 for season provisionally accepted)
Bath Anglers contacted regarding payment of £5 for Fishing Rights. Walcot permitted to train there on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Approach to R.F.U. for Loan of £2000 @ 2%.
MANCOM 22/9/1958
D Wyatt had applied to play for Bath. His application was accepted, subject to the Bristol Club’s agreement.
Mr Jack Arnold reported that the Club Flag was missing. A new one was ordered.
4th MANCOM 6/10/1958
Mr. A E Anson informed the Committee that the new bar would be ready for use on 18th October 1958.
Meeting informed that the R.F.U. had granted the Club a loan of £2000 for the purchase of the Horse Show Ground, Lambridge.
Club Captain congratulated for a Win over Llanelly 1958
MANCOM 3/11/1958
Working Party organised to clear up Lambridge and repair boundary walls and fences. Avon River Board to be contacted regarding possible ducting of the stream. Bath Ex Schools RFC to help with the clearing work. Both Old Sulians and Walcot had enquired regarding possible leasing of the pitches, and although it was impossible to offer any long lease it was agreed to meet these clubs regarding possible letting.
A Football Competition planned in order to raise funds.
ERRATIC, ERRATIC!
It was hard to explain Bath’s varying fortunes. It seemed that the team was not capable of sustaining the necessary level of commitment. Erratic performance must have been difficult to report. One week, a journalist would be eulogising on the heroics against Bristol, and on another, seeking platitudes to explain away, dreadful performances against lesser sides.

YOU CAN’T KEEP GOOD MEN DOWN!
L. ‘Patchy’ Davis was injured in the Llanelly game and specialists told him that he would not play again this season. He had just informed the Club that he intended to start light training after Christmas, and play some rugby soon after.
Veteran, Tommy Hicks and John Roberts (retired) turned out for the ‘A’s against Prior Park College on Thursday. Their presence was not enough to ensure victory!
Morton Evans and Ray Gazard turned out together for the United. They were old friends, and appeared in the Welsh Athletic squad the previous year. Primarily an athlete, Morton Evans became the Great Britain Pole Vault Coach in later years.

MANCOM 17/11/1958
A Football Competition had been organised and 2300 tickets ordered, to sell at 2/6d each. A weekly prize of £10 to be offered for 15 weeks. Promoter – Mr. Austin Thomas.

NOT OUR FAULT
A bill for £4 7s 4d had been submitted for repairs to the Museum Door at the Pump Room. The damage was alleged to have been done on the night of the Bath F C dance. The Committee notified the authorities that it was not their responsibility.

LOST BALLS
Mr Halse reported that two footballs had been lost in the River on December 13th. It was agreed to put a note in the paper in the hope that they would be found and returned. Mr. Halse authorised to purchase a replacement implement for use in recovering balls from the river. Mr Ball volunteered to be responsible for the balls on December 20th.

BATH TOOK TO THE HILLS
The Recreation Ground was not fit owing to snow and frozen floodwater. The game was transferred to the Norwood Playing Fields, 700 foot above sea level. At least, the snow – was deep and crisp and even!
Approximately 1000 loyal supporters turned out to watch. It was another disappointing result for Bath – seven games without a win! “Bath’s pack was beaten for the first obvious time this season and, as a result, the inability of the backs was spotlighted.
Until they learn to run and handle under all conditions, and until they show as much determination in attack as they do in dogged defence, then repeatedly they are going to find themselves in trouble.”
MANCOM 16/2/1959
Committee discussed ways and means of raising money to pay off liabilities incurred through purchase of Lambridge. The Treasurers advised that there would be an annual expenditure of around £500 per annum.
The following measures were agreed:-
a. Allow up to 5 guineas for advertising the letting of the ground to Amusement Caterers or Circus proprietors.
b. Write to the Secretary of the Bath Dog Show-offering the use of the ground.
c. Explore the possibility of Car Auction Sales with Dandos of Chipping Sodbury.

It was unanimously agreed to form a sub committee to work out a football scheme similar to that arranged previously by the players. R A Ball, J Roberts, T Smith, J Vassiere and the two Treasurers to explore possibilities.
It was further agreed to write a strong letter to Major Longrigg asking for the affairs of the Bath Horse Show Syndicate to be settled immediately.
TV THREAT
There was general alarm at diminishing attendances. Bath were having a poor run of results, they were generally, not playing attractive football and the pitch was in poor condition as a result of wet weather and over-use. Added to this, came the introduction of Televised Sport, with the opportunity to watch top grade events from one’s armchair.
By way of contrast – neighbouring Bristol were doing well:
“Over at Bristol last week a first class crowd braved unpleasant elements, and ignored a televised sporting afternoon to watch their ‘own’ side.
And what a terrific feeling there was in the stands and on the touch-lines of the Memorial Ground.
Bristolians know when they are on to a good thing, and they fully realise that, when they watch their XV, they are going to see them win, and almost certain to see good football.
Television for them holds no pull what-so-ever. It might as well not exist.
If Bath can build up an attacking and winning side, as Bristol have done through sound planning and intelligent training, then the missing hundreds will clamour to come back.”

MANCOM 13/4/1959
Agreed in principle to grant Walcot O.B.’s RFC a seven year lease of a playing pitch on the east side of Lam brook. The mowing and grazing rights to be retained by the Bath Club. The rental would be £30 per playing season. The Walcot Club offered to repair and maintain the South half of the existing Dressing Room and divide it into ‘Home and Away’ team rooms.

A meeting with the Parks department to discuss proposed repairs to the playing surface. Mr. Daw suggested moving the playing pitch a few yards towards the North Parade end.

POLIOMYELITIS SCARE
Ministry of Health advised that they were willing to arrange immunisation for Club players up to 24 years of age. Captains to prepare a list.
FOOTBALL HERALD & CHRONICLE 18th April 1959
News that the Rec. was to be given a ‘face-lift’ from its then mud-pack conditions.
Fixture secretary Vic Smith was singularly successful in re-arranging home fixture dates, in order to allow time for re-seeding. The task was achieved with a great deal of co-operation from the other clubs. Bath also had financial difficulties, due to falling attendances. Such was the inter-club spirit, that Leicester, for instance, donated half their takings for a Tigers v Bath match at Welford Road.

News that Combination club, Bath Harlequins had fallen on hard times, and their playing strength had been reduced to 12 regulars. Matches had been scratched and they were calling a meeting to find a way forward. Somehow, this honourable, if casual, group of players, kept going intermittently through thick and thin until their final demise forty odd years later
FAREWELL TO FRANK
It was Frank Thomas’s final game. This Crewkerne farmer had given sterling service to the Bath Club, and he was deeply respected for his Rugby prowess. He was a solid scrummager and a formidable contestant in the line-outs. His off-field gentle nature, and soft Somerset accent, belied his formidable competitive edge on the field. Most probably, he would have preferred to be ‘down on the farm,’ instead of sloshing around at this one!

MANCOM 11/5/1959
Mr Simpkins reminded the meeting that Mr Vic Smith would be unable to act as Fixture Secretary next season and suggested that Mr. J W P Roberts would be the man for the job. Mr Roberts was asked to think the matter over.
The story goes that John thought the matter over for 30 minutes – and did the job for 30 years!

MANCOM 1/6/1959
Committee discussed the future of the Bath A XV, and it was generally agreed that it should be kept going, although extra income would be required. It was resolved that a match fee of 2/6d per player be taken from all three XV’s players. Mrs. Stella Cope agreed to launder the ‘A’ XV jerseys.

MANCOM 23/6/1959
Mr Gordon Drewett and Mr Austin Thomas given a vote of thanks as 1st and ‘A’ XV Captains.
Special mention of Mr R (Bob) Ball, JWP (John) Roberts, Austin Thomas and Jim Vassiere for their efforts in organising the football competition which had made a profit of £82.0s 6d. for Club Funds.