sign in sign up
<<
Home , National League 2 North, Rotherham Titans, Rugby Lions

Gate Post

Harrogate Football Club Founded 1871

Gate Post No. 119 February 2021 This newsletter is sent to all the supporters, current and past members of Harrogate Rugby Club for whom we have an email address. Your contributions would be most welcome along with your feedback. Burns Night January 25th is the birthday of Robert Burns and the Harrogate Touchline Internationals, always looking for an excuse for a celebration, would traditionally join together for a night out and a wee dram. Roy Guy recalls one Burns Night in particular. ‘Thinking of this took me back to a TI Burns Night Supper held at Claro Road in the small room later used as an office. My outstanding recollections are that the room was overcrowded, and I spent the evening being jammed against the wall by a very large Leo Niemic. When it was time to toast the haggis someone produced what was said to be a Burns first edition poetry book and the owner, together with our greatly lamented Glyn Smith, whilst attempting to find the correct passage, recklessly handled and thumbed through it as though it was a cheap magazine. Alcohol may have played a part in their behaviour.’ The photograph shows some of the TIs in the Claro Road office ready to celebrate. Left to right: Gordon Ogilvie, Brian Hemming, Glyn Smith, Malcolm Spark, David Bowen. Who’s Who Fotherby, David. Junior Chairman and Ground Secretary 2005 to 2007. Fowler, George. George appears on the Colts team photograph in 1948 and on the 1st XV photograph 1952/1953. He regularly attended the Former Players Lunches and was their Treasurer from 1997 to 1999. George died at home on 3rd October 2020 aged 88. His funeral took place at Stonewall Cemetery, Harrogate on Tuesday 3rd November 2020. (See Gate Post No.117 December 2020) Fox, Marcus. Wing. He played for HRUFC 1st XV from 1987 to 1991. Selected as a replacement for U21s in the 1987/1988 season. He later became a coach for the juniors. Fox, Samson (11/7/1838 - 24/10/1903) President of Harrogate FC 1902/1903. He entertained the visiting Canadian touring team of 1903. Fox bought and extended Grove House on Skipton Road, Harrogate and became a benefactor to the local community. He provided Harrogate with its first steam Fire Engine, built the Grove Road School opposite his home and provided affordable social housing. He also built a "water-gas" plant to provide the main street of Harrogate with some of the earliest street lighting. In 1870 he provided most of the funds (£45,000 in two donations) to build the Royal College of Music in London and his statue is in the entrance hall. Eventually he became Mayor 1 of Harrogate for three successive years, 1890 –1892, a record never equalled since. He was a Justice of the Peace for both and Harrogate. The actor Edward Fox OBE is his grandson. Frank, Gordon, B. No.8. First played for Harrogate during the Second World War whilst still a pupil at Sedbergh School. He played for Yorkshire and the Army from 1944 to 1946. He was a member of the Harrogate team which won the Yorkshire Cup, 23rd April 1949. He was Club Captain from 1950 to 1952 and made his last appearance in 1953 following an injury. He served on the committee for many years and was club President from 1972 to 1974. His initials G.B.F. appear on the clubhouse fund raising bricks. This photograph was taken 15/11/1980. Frankland, J.R. Secretary of HFC 1900 - 1902. Frankland, Ralph, J. Back row. Ralph first appears on a team photograph for the 1969/1970 season and when he finished playing he became 1st XV Coach from 1976 to 1978. On Tuesday 21st January 1975 the club President, Ken Butler-Smith, presented 1st XV ties to 21 current players who had made 25 first team appearances in a single season or 35 overall. The recipients were: Frank Booth, Frank Carter, Peter Clegg, Alan Everson, Brian Forshaw and Ralph Frankland. Harrogate 1st XV 1972/1973 (below) Back row left to right: Sid Bradley (Club Historian), Simon Frank, Gordon Frank (President), Nick Brookes, John Jacobs, Alan Everson, Frank Booth, Tony Hill, David Raw, Gordon Meadows, Mark Lindley, Ralph Frankland, John Plowright. Bert Bradley (Groundsman). Front row left to right, David Upson, Mike Newport, Brian Forshaw (Captain), Glyn M.T. Williams, John M. Ashman.

Freeman, William (Bill). (DOB: 18/10/1969) Yorkshire Schools 16 Group and North of 1986. Played for Harrogate 1st XV 1990 - 1992 and the Georgians from 1987 to 1996. Gair, Andy. Played for Harrogate U14 to U16 1982 to 1984, Harrogate Colts 1984 to 1986 and U21 1987 to 1989. Played for the 1st XV at the age of 17 in 1984/1985 and again in 1988/1989. Played for Roundhay 1987/1988 and Yorkshire U21 1988/1989. He was also a coach for the Harrogate junior section. Gair, W. Ian B. Junior secretary 1982 to 1986, U15 coach/manager 1982/83, U16 coach/manager 1983/84, assistant coach for the Colts from 1984 to 1986 and 1989 to 1997. He was one of the organisers for the first junior festival in 1984. He was the second team Manager 1988/1989, Membership Secretary 1997/1998 and Secretary of HRUFC from 2000 to 2006. He also took on responsibility for the ground in 2001. 2 Gargan, Martin. Playing in the 2nd row, Martin made his debut for Harrogate 1st XV in the 12 - 17 defeat by Morley 18/4/1981 and played in the Yorkshire Cup winning team 28/4/1981. He went on to play for Harrogate until the 1982/1983 season. He gained a blue at Oxford University. On 31/12/1983 he played for the Barbarians against Leicester. Gascoyne, Keith. Wing. Made his debut for the 1st XV, whilst still a Colt, in 1960, in the game against St. Helens on 17th September playing in the centre. He went on to play regularly for the 1st XV until 1970 and occasional games until 1973. He became captain of the Georgians for the 1970/1971 season and later became one of the club coaches. For the 1974/1975 season he coached the Colts. For the 1983/1984 he was the club’s Vice Chairman. Gascoyne, John. Back. John was Captain of the Colts team 1958/1959. Played for Harrogate Georgians and the 1st XV from 1959 to 1965. Committee member 1959/1960. Georgians Captain 1961/1962. Gentry, Louise. Louise became one of the club’s physiotherapists in the 1990s. Gibbs, Gareth. 2nd row. Played for and captained the Strays when they were first formed in 1990. Chairman of the Commercial Committee 1991/1992. He is frequently the ‘Officer of the Day’ on match days. Ten Years Ago 2010/2011 Club Officials: President: Mike Cowling, Hon. Vice President: Jon Callard, Chairman: Paul Barnard, Secretary: Bill Barrack, Treasurer: David Wheat, Chair of Rugby: Graham Siswick, Chair of Junior Rugby: Des Cullen, Commercial Chair: David Belward, Fixture Secretary: Bill Barrack, Membership Secretary: Clive Wright, Ground Secretary: Frank Carter, Bar and Clubhouse Secretary: Donna Stevenson, Club Doctor: Dr. Jim Woods, Head Coach: Mike Aspinall, Forwards Coach: Ryan Peacey, First XV Captain: Ed Smithies, Georgians Captain: Nick Beaumont, Head of Academy: Peter Lancaster, Club Historian and programmes: Brian Forshaw, Yorkshire RFU representative: Trevor -Jones, Security Officer and Jerseys: Stuart Young, Administrator: Sandra Tinker, Webmaster: Peter Kitching, Fourth Official: Bill Lowe. Harrogate Pythons Officials: Chairman: Jon Godfrey, Secretary: Neil Summersall, Treasurer: Jim Saynor, Commercial: Simon Rodham, Pythons Manager: Jon Ford, Pirates Manager: John Monaghan, Panthers Manager: Mark Dawson. Change of 1st XV Players for 2010/2011 Players leaving: New players arriving: Ben Sowrey -prop - Wharfedale. Steven Maycock - hooker - Titans Danny McGee - centre - Keighley Ben Innes - prop - York Richard Boyle - lock - Tynedale Alex Rieder-flanker-Leeds Carnegie Academy Jonathan McMillan - prop - James Rothwell - wing - Tigers Maxwell Lewis - No. 8 - Hull Ali Chalmers - wing - Bradford and Bingley Harry Hannan - hooker - Otley - prop - Richmond Jeff Watt - flanker - Rob Almond - wing - Bradford and Bingley Harry Key - fly half - Market Harborough Peter Lucock - centre - Moortown Gareth Lodge-lock - Darlington Mowden Park Ben Weaving - hooker - Otley 1st XV Playing Record 2010/2011: won 15, drawn 1, lost 14, points for 889, against 721. Finished 6th in . Leading try scorer Jamie Broadley with 28 tries. Leading points scorer: Jamie Broadley with 145 points

3 Player appearances 2010/2011 Ed. Smithies 25 Noel Minikin 3 James Rothwell 11 Nick Beaumont 7 Jamie Broadley 25 Mark Tampin 13 Kyle Dench 23 Tom Bugge 17 Rob Almond 14 Jeff Watt 7 Mike Aspinall 18 Rob Johnson 6 Phil Wickham 12 Gareth Lodge 15 James Browne 24 Audsley-Beck 1 Ben Weaving 5 Wood 3 Andy Fraser 17 Rory Carmichael l9 James Spencer 6 Ryan Peacey 10 Jacob Brady 30 (Played in every game) Andy Rock 1 Alex Rieder 19 Sam Bottomley 21 Tim Heaton 20 Richard Davies 4 Chris Wilson 12 Tom Harvey 2 Peter Lucock 4 Aarin Yorke 2 Ali Chalmers 4 Toby Quarendon 11 Andrew Enston 4 Arnie Ellison 3 Ben Innes 5 Going 1 Ben Reaveley 1 Luke Edwards 3 Steve Maycock 23 Matt Roberts 1 Chris Harris 1 E Millar 1 Dan Harland 16 Mike Bradshaw 2 Golf Day 2010 88 golfers in teams of four competed for the ‘Slade Trophy’ in a Stableford Competition at Oakdale Golf Club on 1st September 2010. Doug Kendall (Centre), the organiser of the Golf Day has guest speaker Martin Fish sitting on his left. The winners of the Trophy and the first prize was the team from Oakdale Golf Club made up of Club Charles Birchall, Phil Ireland, Mike Cross and Peter Bell. In the photograph (right), former Harrogate Rugby Club player John Carter receives his prize from club coach Mike Aspinall with Master of Ceremonies Simon Croft sharing the fun. John, playing for Oakdale, won the nearest to the pin prize at the 9th hole. Golf was followed by a superb dinner in the Oakdale Clubhouse that was attended by all the golfers taking part with many other guests and celebrities. Many former players were present including Simon Croft (who acted as Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer), Bob Booth, Johnny Thompson, Norman Hesp, Eddie Cook, Paul Barnard, Tim Clough, Simon Corner, Terry Crystal, Brian Forshaw, Gary Irvine, David Croft, John Carter, Stuart McCulloch, Mark Keith, Mike Moseley, Gus Dunlop, Andy Simpson, Mike Cowling and Team Manager Graham Siswick. We also had the pleasure of the company of Leeds United Soccer Legend Eddie Gray. After dinner the guests were treated to an entertaining presentation from Martin Fish. HRUFC President Mike Cowling closed the evening with some encouraging words for the development and success – at all levels – of Harrogate Rugby Union Football Club. The sum raised on the day was in excess of £5,000.00. 4 Harrogate 1st XV Squad before the game against Loughborough Students 16/10/2010 (above) Back row left to right: Ryan Peacey (Player Coach), James Rothwell, Andy Rock (Player Coach), Kerry Wood, Andrew Enston, Steve Maycock, Andy Fraser, Alex Rieder, Jimmy Browne, Gareth Lodge, Jacob Brady, Jeff Watt, Rory Carmichael, Ben Weaving, Grahame Tasker (Coach), Mike Aspinall (Head Coach and player). Front row left to right: Dan Harland, Jamie Broadley, Tom Bugge, Kyle Dench, Ed Smithies (Captain), Sam Bottomley, Rob Almond, Phil Wickham, Ali Chalmers, Graham Siswick (Manager). Record Score Harrogate 99 - 7 On Saturday 30th October 2010 Harrogate defeated Rugby Lions by a club record score. Harrogate Team: Smithies, Almond, Dench, Broadley (Rock 40), Aspinall (Carmichael 35), Bugge, Browne (Watt 42), Maycock (Weaving 40), Tampin, Brady, Lodge, Rieder, Beaumont (Wilson 29), Heaton. Rugby Lions Team: Mayland, Dowsett, Clarke, Young, Renard, Stajka, Shore, Nuttall, Spokes, Shipway, Grimmett, Tucker, Davies, Munro, Walton Referee: Trevor Fisher (RFU) Harrogate’s Man of Match: Rob Almond Harrogate Scorers: Tries: Heaton (2), Rieder (4), Broadley (10,16,30 & 42), Almond (25 & 56), Smithies (35 & 75), Brady (42 & 63), Wilson (51), Dench (77), Bottomley (83). Conversions: Aspinall (10,16,25,30 & 35), Almond ( 42, 43, 51, 56,63,75 & 77) Rugby Scorer: Renard (Try 27), Staika (conversion 27) Five Matches postponed During December, January and February 2010/2011 five 1st XV matches were postponed due to the winter weather conditions. The Rugby Club Annual Dinner 2011] Organised by Julian Tatlow the Annual Dinner was held at the Majestic Hotel 27th February 2011. The honoured guests are pictured in the photograph left, back row left to right: Martin Woods, Stuart Skelton, Ben Kay (England), Simon Croft(MC), Paul Barnard(Chairman), Richard Appleby (President RFU). Front row left to right: John Spencer (England), Jon Callard (England), Ed Smithies (1st XV Captain), Mike Cowling (President HRUFC), Richard Mathews (President Yorkshire RFU).

5 Emsley Crane Hire Renew Sponsorship In 2011, Harrogate, UK based, crane rental company, Emsley Crane Hire, agreed to sponsor Harrogate Rugby Union Club for the next three years. Director Peter Emsley, said, “I am delighted to be Harrogate Rugby Club’s main sponsor as I have had local and traditional roots in Harrogate all my life.’ (Photo left, left to right) Mike Cowling, President of Harrogate, Peter Emsley, Oliver Emsley both of Emsley Crane Hire, Mike Aspinall Harrogate player/coach, John Emsley, Ryan Peacey (Forwards Coach) and Graham Siswick – Harrogate’s Chairman of Rugby and 1st XV manager.

Crest Nicholson ‘Crest Nicholson took full possession of the Harrogate Rugby Club grounds from 1st June 2011. Women’s Rugby Laura Symmonds began the process of re-forming a Harrogate Women’s Rugby team to be known as The Harrogate Pythons Ladies. They met every Friday evening come rain or shine from 7pm till around 8:30pm. In the 1st week 10 people turned up, despite the rain. Friendly fixtures were arranged for the season with league games planned for the following season. Laura said, “It is a lot of fun and a great way to get fit, everybody who came down on Friday really enjoyed themselves.” A Special Rugby Day A record number of 130 young people with special educational needs took part in a competitive rugby day at Harrogate Rugby Club on Thursday 24th March 2011. The day saw three separate competitions taking place; a seven-a-side full contact competition for Netherside Hall, Breckenborough and Danesgate schools and a Tag Rugby competition for Mowbray, Forest, Woodlands, Welburn Hall, Applefields, Brompton Hall, and Springhill schools. There was also a coaching and mini tag festival for Brooklands, Hob Moor Oaks and The Dales schools. All the schools were offered four weeks coaching through the RFU Community Coaching Scheme. Georgians are Champions 2010/2011 was a superb season for the Georgians who began their league campaign at the beginning of September 2010 by losing 79 nil at Wharfedale and then, after further setbacks, went on to win 18 consecutive league fixtures culminating in the 32 points to 29 win at home to Wharfedale on Saturday 16th April 2011. This win brought with it the coveted honour of winning the Yorkshire Premier 2nd Team League. Player/manager Matt Roberts was credited with masterminding this magnificent achievement. Fire at Rugby Club It was fortunate that the local fire brigade responded quickly to this suspected vandalism on the night of Wednesday 27th April 2011 as the whole fence on Claro Road was constructed of wood and the fire was restricted to a small section. Mike Aspinall Plays His Final Game Harrogate player/coach Mike Aspinall carried injuries to both his shoulders for some time and following examinations from consultants in Manchester he reluctantly decided to finish his playing career with his final outing being against Manchester 21/5/2011 in the last game of the season. Mike played over 100 National League games for Harrogate and played in every back position being a regular accumulator of points through tries, conversions, penalties and a substantial number of drop goals. In 2011 Mike was a level 3 coach and chose to continue being involved in rugby as a coach. 6 Broadley Try Scoring Record During the 2010/2011 season, Jamie Broadley scored 28 tries for Harrogate, which is a record number of tries scored in league games in one season. Only Steve Wilkins is recorded has having scored more tries in one season for the 1st XV. Harrogate U15s Winners at the Darlington Festival (Sunday 1st May 2011) The Harrogate U15s scored over 100 points and won the ‘Fair Play’ Award when they won their age group competition at the Darlington Festival: Robbie Kent, Bruno Horacio, Ram Ismail, Harry Barnard, Alex Wyatt, Ged Carr, George Ellis, Rob Wylie, Damian Broadhurst, Jonny Mohindra, Chris Igoe, Tom Cozens, James Bolger, Fraser Goulding, Jack Jamieson, Liam Snaith. The Harrogate U9s, also won their age group competition at the Darlington Festival. Jack Barnard Capped by England RFU - U16 England U16s defeated Italy U17s 16-6 on Wednesday 20th April 2011 at and then went on to beat Wales U16s 31-10 on Sunday 24th April at Fylde. Jack Barnard played flanker as part of a strong back row which was recognised for its robust contribution during both matches. Jack began playing rugby aged six at Belmont Grosvenor School and as a mini at Harrogate Rugby Club, progressing into the juniors where, as an under 11, he was part of a Yorkshire Cup winning team. Jack went on to play through the age groups at Harrogate Rugby Club joining Leeds Carnegie Junior Academy at age 13. He represented , Yorkshire and The North of England as well as playing several games for Harrogate Grammar School First XV. Jack then progressed into Leeds Carnegie's senior academy. Yorkshire Tour Slovenia with Harrogate Players Yorkshire travelled to Slovenia on Monday 30th May for a 4 day tour which included a match against the Slovenian national team. Harrogate players Jamie Broadley, Rob Almond, Steve Maycock, Jacob Brady and Ryan Peacey were all included in the Yorkshire team to play Slovenia in Ljubljana on Wednesday 1st June 2011 with a 7 p.m. kick off. Rob Almond and Steve Maycock were making their senior Yorkshire debuts after previously playing for the Yorkshire Under 20s side. Ryan Peacey made his Yorkshire debut after injury had ruled him out of playing for Yorkshire on several earlier occasions. Harrogate Team Manager, Graham Siswick, was the tour manager. Ryan Peacey and Jamie Broadley were both in the Yorkshire starting line up and Jake Brady, Stevie Maycock and Robbie Almond benched against Slovenia. Slovenia 3 Yorkshire 76 (1/6/2011) Two tries for Jamie Broadley and an outstanding individual try for No 8 Ryan Peacey contributed to Yorkshire's hammering of the Slovenian national XV on June 1st in Ljubljana. There were also important contributions off the bench by Jake Brady, Stevie Maycock and Robbie Almond who all made impressive impacts on the game. Ryan Peacey who was a serious doubt for the match through a mysterious attack of suspected gout stole the show with a 60 metre individual try following the scattering of a number of defenders and an outrageous dummying of the fullback to score behind the posts. The gate lads also played a full part off the field too in what turned out to be a superb tour. Vintage Summer Ball The club’s highly successful Summer Ball, organised by Dariel Pitt and Emma Kilburn, was held on Saturday 11th June 2011 at the Pavilions, Harrogate. The ‘Vintage’ theme allowed the ladies to show off the gowns of yesteryear.

7