RUGBY UNION

·ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held at the MAY FAffi HOTEL,. , on Friday, 22nd June, 1951, at 5 p.rn.

The following Clubs (330) were represented :-

Aldershot Services Christ's Hospital Hertfordshire Union' Army Civil Service Honourable Artillery Company RA.S.C. () Civil Service Union Hoover Sports 9 Trng. Regt. R.E. Clifton Ibis RM.A. Sandhurst College of Commerce Ilford Wanderers No. 4 (ARMT) Trng. Btn. College of St. Mark & St. John Ipswich Y.M.C.A. R.E.M.E. - Count,Y' ~ -- - .~~-~~~- 10 Trades Trng. Centre Coventrians Kenilworth 14/20 King's Hussars Coventry Kent County 16 Railway Trng. Regt. R.E. Cuaco Kersal Military College of Science Darlington Railway King Edward VI School, Depot & T.E. R.A.M.C. Davenport Nuneaton RA.P.C. Trng. Centre Derby . Kingsbridge . Ashford (Kent) Derbyshire King's College Hospital Aston O.E. County· King' s College (London) Bancroft's School Devonport High School K.C.S. Old Boys Bank of Devonport Services King' s College School Barbarians Dorset & Wilts Union Barclays Bank Dulwich College Prep. School Leamington Barking ~ark Mod. Old Boys Durham County Leicester Barnstaple Ealing Lensbury Basingstoke Earlsdon Letchworth Bath Eastbourne College Lewes Beckenham Eastern Counties Lizards Bec. O.B. East Union Lloyds Bank Bedford Esher London & Home Counties Berkshire Union Schools Billingham Falmouth Grammar School O.B. Birkenhead Park Falmouth Y.M.C.A. London Scottish Bishopston . Felixstowe London Telecommunications Blackburn Finchley London Union " Blacklieath -~_:, ~Gar.goyles·:"'---- -.. ,- . . bondon . Welsh-....."..-~ .-...... '.,' Borderers General Electric Co. (Coventry) Luton .' Brigands Gloucestershire County Lyons Brighton Goodyear Maidstone Bristol Gravesend Malsis School Bristol & District Guildford Manchester Bristol Saracens Guy's Hospital Manchester Y.M.C.A. Broad Plain Haberdashers' Aske's School May & Baker Broughton Park Hampshire Met. Police Buckinghamshire Harlequins Met. Police No. 2 District Harpenden Middlesbrough Camp Hill O.E. Harrow County' Catford Bridge Harrow School Mill Hill Cemian Rovers Moseley Charlton Park Hastings & Bexhill Napier Cheltenham Hendon Newark New Brighton Oxford R.F.U. Newbury Oxford Exiles R.N. College, Greenwich Newbury Grammar School Oxfordshire R.N.E. College Newcastle (Staffs) Oxford University Rugby Newport Park Rouse Saracens Northampton & Newlyn S.E. Essex Tech. College Northampton Engineering College Percy Park Shell Northern Petersfield St. Bart's Hospital Northolt Vikings Pinner St. Dunstan's College North Midlands Union Portsmouth Grammar School . St. Erbyn's School North Shields Pressed Steel St. John's Boys Prep. School Northumberland Prestwich St. Mary's Hospital Notts Public Schools Wdrs. St. Peters Hall, Oxford Notts Schoolboys Queens Engineering W orks St. Thomas's Hospital Notts. Lincs & Derby Union Queen Mary College Salisbury Nuneaton Reading School Seghill Nuneaton O.E. Richmond Sevenoaks Old Alleynians Rochester. Sheffield , Old Askeans Rockcliff \ Old Azurians RoIlS' Royée' . --- _.-,. _.~~~~~;~-_ .. --- _\.- Old Beccehamians Rosslyn Park Sidcup Old Citizens Rotol Slough Rottingdean School Somerset County Old Cranleighans R.A.F. Rugby Union Staffordshire Old Croydonians Royal Aircraft Establishment Staines Old Dartfordians R.A.F., Bawtry S.T.C. (Southgate) Old Dunstonians " Benson Stoke-om-Trent ' " Bletchley Streatham Old Emanuel " Bridgnorth Sunderland Old Freemens " Cardington Surrey County Old Fullerians " Colerne Sussex County Sutton Old Gaytonians " Debden ~ • .t Old Grammari~ms " Disliforth" Sutton Valence School Old Haberdashers " Felixstowe Tamworth Old Henliensians " Gloucester Tiffin School Old Hertfordians " Halton Tonbridge Old Laurentians " Hemswell Tunbridge Wells & Crowboro' Old Lutonians " Hereford Old Maricollians " Hillingdon Unilever Old Masonians " Horsham St. Faiths United Banks Old Merchant Taylors " Hullavington University College (London) Old Mitchamians " Kenley University College School Old Newtonians (Leics) " Medmenham University College School Old Novocastrians " Melksham Old Boys Old Pauline •• 1 .. 1 ~,' Moreton-in-Marsh University Vandals 1 Old Paviors " North Luffenham Vickers Armstrong, Newcastle Old Purleians " Padgate Wallasey Grammar School Old Redingensians " Shinfield Park Wallington County Grammar Old Rutlishians " Stafford School Old Ruymians " Swan ton Morley Walsall Old Surbitonians " Upavon Wanstead Old Twickenhamians " Watton Warlingham Old Walcountiims " West Drayton Warrington Old Warwickians " West Kirby Warwickshire County Old Westcliffians " Wyton Wasps Old Wheatleyians H.Q. Bomber Command Welwyn Old Whitgiftian Royal Exchange Assurance Westcliff High School Old Wimbledonians Royal Grammar School, Westcombe Park Old Wycombiensians - Newcastle W. Hartlepool Orren Royal . Marines, Chatham Westleigh Westminster Bank Whitgift School W oolwich Polytechnic West Herts Wilmslow Worksop Westminster Hospital Windsor W orksop College Westoe Woodford Worth Prep. School Whitgift Middle School W oodpeckers Yarnbury

The Notice convening the Meeting was read by the Secretary. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting -held on 23rd June, 1950, were confirmed and signed.

The President (Sir Wavell Wakefield)extended a cordial welcome to aIl members present and also to the representatives of the Press to whom he offered warmest thanks for the work they had done and were doing for Rugby Union football. Continuing, Sir Wavell Wakefield said :-" The Annual Report for the past seàson has been circulated and there is no need for me to refer to the various matters covered by- that Report. 1 would not, however, like this occasion to pass without reference to the losses Rugby Union Football has suffered through deaths. Lastyear 1 described the early history of the purchase of the Twickenham property and the important part the late Billy Williams played in that purchase. His name will always be associated in Rugby history with our Home Ground. History will also remember with gratitude the great work the late Mr. C. F. Rutherford did in developing the game of in France and in initiating International Matches between France and the Home Countries. Reference was made last year to the most valuable work that Mr. Creasey did as Hon. Treasurer of the Rugby Union for a number of years. He literally died in the service of our Game. No one did more to place the provision of Referees for Clubs on an organised and efficient basis and to give opportunity for exchange of views and discussion on the problems of our Game than did the late Arthur Trollope. These men gave much to our Game. So long as others continue to come forward to give back into the Game as these men have do ne in their generation in the same measure, so will our Game continue to flourish in the years to come. In this connection 1 would llke to take this opportunity to refer to the immense amount of work done by Humphrey F. Ellis, whom some of you may know better as ' H.F.E.' of Punch. He was the author of 'Why the Whistle Went ' and is now engaged in completing the new coaching manual which 1 hope will be published during the course of next season. Rugby Union Football owes and will owe him much for the work he has done and is doing for the improvement of our game.

The increase in the playing of Rugby Football in our schools continues. The reason for this progress, 1 believe, is due to the wise guidance we have had in past years from those who had charge of the administra­ tion of our Game before us. The great traditions of our Game were established by them. So long as we continue to follow the principles they laid down, then 1 have no fear at aIl for the future of our Game. During the recent season at Club Dinners and on other occasions in the speeches 1 have made, 1 have referred to these principles. 1 ask your indulgence at the conclusion of my year of Presidency if 1 once again stress what 1 consider to be· the three main principles which· should' always underlie the playing and administering of our Game:- . (1) To conserve the amateur spirit and traditions· of our Game ; (2) To maintain the Laws of our Game in the interests of the players and the players alone; (3) To improve the quality of the playing of our Game.

1 believe our Game is spreading (particularly in the schools) because of our continued close observance of these three principles. 1 hope that this may ever be the case. In the Annual Report reference was made to our pleasure at welcoming Representatives from the Dominions to the International Board Meetings held this year. 1 am glad to say that relationships between the four Home Countries and the Dominions have never been on a firmer, closer or happier basis. Some of the results of their deliberations you will be asked to receive . later on this evening.

We are looking forward with the greatest possible pleasure to the visit of the South Africans during the coming Beason. We can assure them of the warmest of welcomes. 1 do hope that as many people as possible will find- it convenient to meet them at Southampton, where they are due to arrive on Friday, 28th September. . The Committee loses a valued member of the Selection Committee-its Chairman-by the call of duty requiring Surgeon Captain Osborne's service overseas. The task of the Chairman of the Selection Committee is an onerous one. To Surgeon Capt. Osborne and his fellow selectors, we give our best thanks for the work they did la st season. That their efforts were not as successful as they and we hoped is but the luck of the Game. We hope that the newChairman-H. C. Catcheside~will have all the luck that is going, and 1 think he will need it for success against what 1 believe will be found to be a formidable Springbok side. An increase in the playing of Rugby Union Football in various parts of the world outside the British CommOnwealth and Empire is taking place.' It seems to your Committee desirable that a study should be made and information obtained of what is happening. Accordingly a small Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. John Tallent, the Central District Representative, has been set up for this purpose. ln conclusion 1 should like to thank all those who have helped me sa much to further the smooth working of the administration of our GaIne during the pa st Season. To the Vice-Presidents, Harry Cleaver, whom we congratulate on the recent honour conferred on him, and' Pip' Holman for their valuable advice and ever· ready support. To the Hon. Treasurer-Bill Ramsay-for the immense amount of constructive work he has done,as the Secretary and Lcan testify. To, the AssistanLHon._Treasur.er"Eddie,Saunders-;-;:with.h,is,expert knowledge, which has been of great value in the work needed in the exceptional amount of new loans, amounting to over f26,000, which have been granted to Clubs during the past year. To our Auditors­ Messrs. Gillespie Bros.-who have been such good friends to us for so many years; and finally to our Secretary Douglas Prentice, who like so many others, has had such a trying and anxious time on account of the unprecedented weather conditions. To him and to his office and ground staff, not only on my behalf but 1 am sure on your account as well, 1 extend grateful thanks." The President moved the adoption of the Annual Report. This was seconded by Mr. Hague (North Midlands) and was carried unanimously. Statement of Accounts, 1950-51. The Honorary Treasurer, Mr. W. C. Ramsay, presented the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 30th April, 1951, and moved its adoption .. This was·seconded by Maj.-Gen. R. 'F~ K Whittaker (Kent County R.F.U.) and was carried unanimously. Election of Officers, 1951-52. . Sir Wavell Wakefield, the retiring President, declared the officers of the Union for Season 1951-52 elected, as follows :- President '" Mr. H. Cleaver, D.B.E., J.P. Vice-Presidents Mr. P. M. Holman. Mr. J. Brunton, D.S.O., M.C. Hon. Treasurer Mr.W. C. Ramsay. ,Before vacating the Chair Sir Wavell Wakefielq said :- " . ,,' .. , " .' . " 1 nmv have much pleasure in co~gratulating o~r new President, Mr. Harry Cle~~~~;'~~ hi~ '~lèèÙô'n to the great office of President of the Rugby Union. His long service to the Game in the Midlands and on, our Rugby Union Committee together with the valuable personal background of Industrial, Social and Voluntary Service work, fits him in an exceptional manner to fill this position. This year, including as it ~does the visit of the South Africans, will be a memorable year and 1 am quite sure he will worthily uphold the great tradition of the office to which he has just been elected. The new Vice-President, Mr. Joe Brunton, brings all those characteristics from the North of England which have endeared so many of his predecessors to us and made them such valuable officers of the . Our new President will find in him a gre~t source of strength. The very best of luck to you Mr. President, and my warmest wishes for a most successful phiying season and year of office." On taking the Chair Mr. H. Cleaver said :- " My first dutY is to express to Sir Wavell Wakefield on your behalf and on behalf of the Committee our warmest thanks for the services he has rendered to the Union and to Rugby Football in general during his year of Presidency. He has been unsparing in devoting his valuable time to the work, and l believe most of you know he has attended your dinners and social functions in many parts of the country. It is just one addition al service to the Game to aH those he gave as player and captain of England, and as a member of the Committee for so many years. It is good to know that as a Past President we shall still receive the benefit of his great experien,ce and ad vice. Our thariks are also due to the past Presidents, the Rugby Union Committee, and the officiaIs and Committees of Constituent Bodies. Also to those great enthusiasts for the Game, the officiaIs, the Honorary Secretaries, Match Secretaries, Treasurers, and Committees of the Clubs in membership, ta whose efforts the Clubs owe so much and whose valuable work makes such a great contribution to the game. l must also mention the Referees and the Referees Societies who perform such a valuable and important part of our organisation and do so much for us. l would like all the people present and the representatives of Clubs to take this message of thanks and appreciation of their work back to their Committees. My next duty is to thank you for electing me to this great office of President of the Union. l receive the office as Representative of my native County of Warwickshire with sorne diffidence, but l hope and will do aIl l can to maintain and further the great traditions of our game and give the time necessary to do the work. Warwickshire has one distinction that cannot be claimed by any other County in Rugby Football, in that it . gave'the Game to the'worlô-at-its'great-PublicSchooI-of-Rugby;and, of 'course, theGame is named after the School and Town Rugby. l must confess that l feel rather proud of bèing the first Warwickshire man to hold this very high and important office. Perhaps the most important event in my year will be the'visit of the South Africans. l would take this opportunity of appealing to you aU as they visit your areas to give them a warm welcome, and let them see that the old Country has not lost its reputation for hospitality. This is the Festival Year and )'Te must let them know that the old Country is as sound as ever in pursuing this great amateur Game. At the end of the South African tour here l should like it to have the same reputation that the British boys brought back from their recent tour of New Zealand and Australia. The Rugby Union and its members will do all they can, but as they travel throughout the country it is up to you to do the honours, and, as l said before, ta give them a warm, we1come and generous hospitality and show these boys from South Africa the beauties of our country. You should see that your players are fit and properly trained so that they will show our visitors that the old Country can produce as good as evedt did. ' Two years ago our President, Mr. Eric Watts Mosès;'told you that there was something wrong with the Game and something must be do ne ta improve the standard of play. Since then quite a lot has been done­ many Counties and Clubs have sent up coaching teams, and, of course, the Rugby Union has helped with its films and publications. A new coaching manual is now being reviewed and will be in press very shortly, but l would appeal to you to follow up this great effort to improve the standard of football throughout the country. l am quite certain the material is there. It is really important to get hold of the youngsters. Under the New Education Act of 1944 there will be more attention given to games in Schools, and many more playing fields provided. It seems to me very important that Clubs in theit local areas should see that every boy in a Grammar, Secondary or Technical School (where they stay until16 to 18 years of age) if he desires it should be given an opportunity to play Rugby football. It is not that we as Rugger men only want these boys , .to play to improve our sides or ta produce better players, but rather because we know that RugbYJootball is good for the boy. It teaches self-reliance, character, and how to take and iecèive liardîênocks; aÎld it is a great amateur Game that is not disturbed by pools and betting. So we aH have a job to do in the coming season, and my Presidential message to you is to look after the South Africans when they come in your area in the Festival spirit, and secondly, to look after the Youth in your own town, and district, and see that they are given every opportunity to play the Game and to play in the right spirit this great game of Rugby Football." Auditars, 1951-52. Mr. J. Brunton proposed the re-election of Messrs. Gillespie Bros. & Co., 43 Chandos Place, London, W.C.2, and expressed a vote of thanks for the work they had done. This was seconded and carried unanimously. ' Ru/es as ta Prafessianalism. Mr. E. Watts Moses, on behalf of the Committee, seconded by Mr. P. L. Birkin(Notts., Lincs. and Derby R.F.U.), moved the adoption of the new Rule 11 of the Rules as to Professionalism proposed by the Committee of the Rugby Football Union, and the amendment thereto proposed by Notts., Lincs. and Derby R.F.U., seconded by Sunderland R.F.C., which was carried unanimously.

11. Rugby Union players and Rugby L~ague players in H.M. Armed Forces. (a) No member of H.M. Armed Forces shall be deemed to have committed an act of professionalism if, in the course of his duty, he is required to organise or provide facilities for the playing of football under rules. (b) No restriction imposed by the foregoing Rules as to Professionalism shall be deemed to apply to playing pitches provided by H.M. Government primarily for the recreation of membêrs of the Armed Forces. (c) A Rugby Union player is permitted whilst in H.M. Armed Forces to play for a Service Team in a Rugby League game, but may not play for any civilian Rugby League team. . (d) A Rugby League player is permitted whilst in H.M. Armed Forces to play in a Rugby Union game for a team composed entirely of service personnel against any other Rugby Union XV. (e) A Rugby League player who has played under(d). above.may. continue .. to play .. Rugby League football for other than a Service team but cannot play Rugby Union football except for a Service team. (f) On release from service in H.M. Armed Forces the Rules as to Professionalism will apply. Any period on the Reserve will not be recognised as actual service. Amendment-Proposed by Notts., Lincs. and Derby R.F.U. Seconded by Sunderland R.F.C. Add to the first sentence of Il (f) :- " .. and accordingly the following will thereupon be debarred frorn playing Rugby Union football :- (a) any player who during his service shaH have played for a civilian Rugby League Club, and , . ~, ,j, '? - (b) any Rugby League player who previous ~~ his èntry tq.to)I.M: Armed Forces had committed a breach of the R ules as to Professionalism ". Laws of the Game. The following alterations and additions to the Laws of the Game made by the International Board, as under, were accepted for inclusion in the R.F.U. Handbook. LAW 1. Where practicable the intersection of the dead-ball and touch-in-goallines should be indicated by a flag. LAW 2. Touch-down. Insert " first" between " player" and" grounding ".

LAW 5. For" ~eather or rubber" substitute "leather, rubber or aluminium". LAW 10. In par. 1 add " and shall keep the score". Add to last par. : "When the Referee allows a kick at goal the game should be restarted as though no dispute had arisen." . LAW 14. In par. 3 after "unless" the wording shan read :­ (a) "A Fair-catchhas been allowed, or (b) The opposing team gain an advantage, or (c) The ball is knocked on by a player who is in the act of charging down the kick of an opponent, or (d) The throw-forward or knock-on is, in the opinion of the Referee, intentional ; when he shaH award a penalty kick at the place of infringement." LAW 15. For (c) substitute :- (c) Three players shall form either front row of the scrummage before the ball has been put in. The players of each front row shall bind together firmly and continuously while the baIl is in the scrummage. The middle player shall so bind with both arms over and around the backs and below the shoulders of the players on either side of him, and the outside players shall bind the rniddle player in like manner. For (f) substitute :- (f) The player putting in the ball shall stand not less than one yard from the scrummage and on the line of the middle of the tunnel formed by the players of each front row of the scrummage and he shaH with both hands from below the knee put the ball fairly. in at moderate speed so that it first touches the ground beyond one foot of the nearest player of each front row. For (g) substitute :- . (g) The ball is fairly in when it has been put in along the line of the middle of the tunnel and has touched the ground. (h) Line4, for" between the feet" substitute "if, on its way out, it passes between the feet ". For par: 1 .of (i) substitute :- (i) While the ball is being put in, it is illegal for a player to raise either foot or advance it beyond the ..... , .line.of feet.of.his frontrow..until the ,baIl has left the hands ofthe play:er putting it in, or for a foot of any player in either front row to touch the ball until it is fairly in. " Line of feet " means the average line of feet of the players forming each front row. In par. 2 of (i), line 13, after " until it " insert " is fairly in and until it". Add new par. to (i) :- Swinging with both feet or raising both feet off the ground at the same time is illegal. . LAW 16. (h) Delete all words after "release the ball ". LAW 18. Delete par. (d). LAW 19. Par. (d), line 5, after " field-of-play" insert " or in in-goal ". In la st line after " touch " add "or in touch-in-goal ". LAW 23. After par. "Any graduaI creeping up beyond the mark shall be considered as a charge" insert "If the mark be in in-goal it shall be deemed to be on the goal-line and the ball must cross that line, . unless first played- by an opponent·; otherwise the kick must be retaken ".' Delete par. after "Penalty (ii)". LAW 24. Penalty-(I), Line 3 :- Insert " kick " between " penalty " and " was ". LAW 27. The last par. of the Law should be altered to read: "Law 10 (n) as to advantage does not apply in the event of any of the foregoing not being complied with ". LAW 33. Foi' the 2nd par. substitute :- Subject to Law 26, for infringements in in-goal, the penalty shaH be, etc . .LA W 34. Add to (a) a new par. :- "(4) Wilfully causing a serum mage to coHapse " ... Laws of the Game. Alterations proposed by Harlequin F.C., seconded by Penzance and Newlyn R.F.C. :- LAW 15 (c) before " below the shoulders ",insert " with the hands ". LAW 15 (h) delete " on its way out". It was unanimously agreed that the proposed alteration to Law 15 (c) be submitted for consideration at the next Meeting of the International Board. . On being put to the vote the proposed alteration to Law 15 (h) was rejected. Other Business .. The representative of Hendon R.F.C. asked for a definition of "line of feet" referred to in the alteration to Law 15 (i). An explanation was given by AdmiraI Sir Percy Royds. Brig. H. L. G. Hughes (Blackheath) asked if it is permissible to use plastic studs on football boots. AdmiraI Sir Percy Royds replied that the International Board hadrecently approved the use of aluminium studs, but the question of plastic studs had not been considered. The President closed the Meeting at 6.05 p.m. with a vote of thanks to aIl for attending.