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RUGBY FOOTBALL.: UNION

l' l' n ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held at the MAY FAIR HOTEL, Il LONDON, on Friday, jth July, 1952, at 5 p.m ..

The following Clubs (287) were representedl: - .

Army Rugby Union Darlington l' K.C.S. Old Boys Mil: College of 'Science Darlington Granimar School Kent County 10 (Trades) Trng. Regt. R.E. i Old Boys' Kersal 33 Airborne Light Regt. R.A. Davenport 1: Kingsbridge W oolwich Garrison Derby " King's College Hospital Depot and T.E. C.R.M.P. Devonport High:I,School. King's College School 67 Regt. R.A. Oswestry Devonport Servites King William's College (I.O.M.) 9 Btn. R.A.O.C. Donnington Dorset and Wilts Lancashire County 70 H.A.A. Regt. R.A. Bedford Dudley KingswiAford Leicester 3 Trng. Btn. R.A.O.C. Hilsea Dulwich Colleg~; Leicestershire London District Dulwich College':Preparatory Leighton Buzzard Ashford (Kent) , School Lensbury and Britannic House Associated Equipment Co. Durham County 1 Letchworth Bancroft's School Ealing Liverpool Bank of England Eastbournell Lizards Barbarians Eastbourne College Lloyds Bank Barclays Bank Eastern CountieS London Union Barking Park Modern O. Boys East Midlands Union London and Home Counties Barnstaple Eccles ' Schools Beckenham Esher London Irish Bedford Exeter 'l' London Scottish Berkshire County Falmouth Old Gtammarians London University Birkenhead Park Falmouth Y.M.et.A. London Welsh Bishopston Finchley . l" Luton Borderers Foreign Of?ce \ Lyons J;3orough Road College G.E.C. (Wltton) ~ Malsis School Bristol and District Comb. Gloucestershire €ounty .Manchester Bristol Saracens Goodyear " Manchester Y.M.C.A. Broad Plain Gravesend 1; May & Baker Broughton Park Guy's Hospital l, Medicals Camborne Haberdashers' A,~ke's Hampstead Metropolitan Police Cambridge City Hampshire C01lIl,ty MeL Police No. 2 District Corpus Christi College, Harlequin Itl Middlesbrough . Cambridge Harpenden l' Middlesex County Camp Hill O.E. Harrodian! Moseley Catford Bridge Harrow School Il Municipal College of Commerce Chelsea Polytechnic Hastings and Bexhill Napier Cheltenham Headingley( National Provo Bank Chesterfield Hendon ! Newbold-on-Avon Chiltern Hertfordshire Union New Brighton Chingford Honourable ArtilIery Company Newbury Christ's Hospital Hoover Sports "; Newport Civil Service Union Horsham '! Northampton Clifton Ilford Wanderers:J" Northern Cornwall County Imperial College' Northern Polytechnic Coventrians Ipswich Y.M.C.A. North Tawton Coventry Juno } Northumberland l' '~

"1 .I..~. ~\ 1 Nottingham Schoolboys Pinner i St. Erbyn's School Notts. Plymouth Albion: St: Catherine Society Notts., Uncs and Derby Polytechnic : St. John's Prep. School Nuneaton Port of London AVthority St. Mary's Hospital Nuneaton Old Edwardians Portsmouth Gram: School St. Thomas's Hospital Old Askeans Pressed Steel \' Salisbury Old Azurians Public Schools Wanderers'1 Saraeens Old Beccehamians Queen Mary Collegel' Seghill Old Birkonians Queens Eng. Worfs Sevenoaks Slough Old Blues Reading School ,l' Old Brocklians Reigate . , Spur Old Boys Old Cantabrigians Richmond Staffordshire Old Colfeians Rockc1iff Staines Old Cranleighans RoUs Royee ~ Standard Telephone Old Creightonians (London) Rosslyn Park /. (New Southgate) Old Dunstonians R:A.F. Rugby Union Streatham Old Edwardians R.A.F. Acaster Mhlbis Sussex County Old Elthamians R.A.F. Cardingto~ Sutton Oldershaw Gram. School R.A.F. Coltishall i Swindon Old Freeman's R.A.F. C~anwell , Tamworth and District Old Fullerians R.A.F. DlShforth \: Thurrock Old Gaytonians R.A.F. Felixstowe, Tonbridge Old Grammarians R.A.F. Hemswell!. Twickenham Old Haberdashers R.A.F.Henlow ; U .C.S. O1d Boys Old Leysians R.A.F. Hereford t University College School Old Maricollians H.Q. Bomber Command University College (Southampton) Old Merchant Taylors H.Q. Tech. Trainmg University Vandals Old Mitchamians H.Q. 62 Group Uqit Upper Clapton O1d N ewtonians . R.A.F. Jurby te Vickers Armstrong O1d· N ovocastrians R.A.F. Kenley 1 Wallasey Gram. School Old Rutlishians R.A.F. Lyneham t Warlingham O1d Shootershillians R.A.F. Mildenhal1 Warwickshire County Old Surbitonians R.A.F. Marbam 1 Wasps O1d Walcountians R.A.F. Neatishead Waterloo O1d Warwickians R.A.F.Oakingtorl Westc1iff High School Old Westcliffians· R.A.F. Padgate :~ Westcombe Park O1d Wheatleyans R.A.F. Sandwich '.1 West HartIepool O1d Whitgiftians R.A.F. Upwood: West Herts. Old Wimbledonians R.A.F. Waddingt9n Westleigh Old Wycombiensians R.A.F. West Kirby West Norfolk Orrell R.A.F. Wroughtoh Westoe OSjerley Royal Aircraft Establishment Weston-Super-Mare Otley Royal Grammar School, Wilmslow Oxford ;'> Newcastle Wimbledon College Oxford Exiles Royal Marines (P6rtsmouth) Wimborne Oxfordshire R.N.A.S. Culdrose Woodford Oxford Y outh Service R.N.E.'College, Devonport Woodpeckers Park House ' R.N.V.R. (L/D) 1 . Woolwich Polytechnic Penzanee and Newlyn St. Bartholemew's Gram. School W orksop College Percy Park St. Bartholomew's Hospital Yarnbury ! r

"[' The Notice convening the Meeting was read by t~e Secretary. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 22nd June, 1951, were confirmed and signed. l " The President (Mr: Harry Cleaver)· said: "1 sho~ld first like to ex tend a cordial welcome to all yo~ , representatives of Unions and Clubs who have come to this Annual Meeting. Some of you have come long dis- \ , , - tances and it does show the Înterest you take in our game, and particularly in the activities of the Goveming -Body. :1 The Annual Report and Accounts have been citculated so l will only deal briefly with a few matters in connection with my Presidential Year. 1; First l would say how much the Committee appreciates the unanimous response to their request that on the death of our Patron, King George VI, aU clubs wit~outexception, suspended aH games and postponed aH social functions until after the funeral. We made this request very promptly and perhaps gave a lead generaUy in the world of sport. 1 Two great workers for the game died during tde year. Mr. F. H. Fox, of Somerset, who served on the Committee from 1888-1948-59 years. He was President for two seasons and did great service not only on the Governing Body but in his native Somerset. Mr. Pcltter Irwin served for 22 years on the Committee and was a Vice-President; he also did great service for the garrte and as many of you will know he gave outstanding service in a particular branch, where we need it, namely'l as a Referee. l am sure you were aU delighted with the imprdved results of the England XV; it was the best season for some time. In the International Championship to win three and lose one by a place kick, shows how near we were to winning the championship., l ' In thinking of this record l would like you to a~preciate as the Rugby Union Committee do, the valuable work done by the newly constituted Selection Commitiee under the Chairmanship of ML H. C. Catcheside. It is not an easy job; many people think they can select ci better side, but the results speak for themselves. We are aIl pleased to see our football on the upw~rd grade. ,) .

The football was very much hand1capped by th~ weather. Grounds throughout the country suffered and none more than Twickenham but l am sure you were aU pleased that the game v. Ireland was not postponed a second time. The conditions were atrocious, as the R~port records. The players of both sides overcame the appalling conditions and it was really a splengid game cind one which we shaH aIl remember. The County Championship continues to be poJular and we can congratulate Middlesex on winning after n~m. _ f l am sure you will approve of the appointment of the Overseas Liaison Committee which will do very valuable work in co-ordinating the principles and laws ,\of our game abroad. The game is spreading so rapidly and may l add so extensively, that this Committee under Mr. John Tallent can do a very valuable service. At the la st Annual Meeting l referred to our Sduth African visitors. Because of the enthusiastic' wel­ come extended to them and their great achievements 011 the field of play, the "4th Springboks" will be rated as one of the greatest of touring sides ever to visit this country. They drew large crowds everywhere and certainly did much to further popularise Rugger with the people of the four Home Countries. The Manager, Col. Frank Mellish, and aH the South African boys by their attrattive play, friendship and general sportsmanship on and off the field, will be remembered and appreciated for rrtany years, to come. r also asked you to look after the youth who wlnt to play our game and l know how weH this has been done; the season records a large increase in the numbef of clubs and a tremendous increase in the number play- ing the game, which is the measure of our success. il , There is one matter to which you will expect so~e reference and that is the negotiations now taking place between the four Home Unions and the French Fededtion. l mention this to avoid difficult questions. The first princip le of our game is its amateur st!tus without compromise or qualification and that is the issue. l would ask aU of you to have confidence in yoilr representativeswho have a very difficult problem indeed to solve. With this in mind you will, r know, wish to express to our representatives who are carrying this great responsibility, our best wishes for the succes~ of their negotiations, and at the same time let them kn?"". they have the full sup~ort not only <,lf the Rugby Football Union but of aIl the clubs in membership. It 1S Important that the game ln both countnes ShOUld'j be played under the same laws and in the same spirit. In my Presidential Year l have visited every area in the country. r have attended many functions and have been greatly, impressed by the great enthusiasm t:for 'the game everywhere. l have also been impressed

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with the number of fine fellows încludîng many many old players working quîetly for the game, servîng as officiaIs and generally taking the responsibility of running clubs. This is a great voluntary service, which is the greatest of aIl services as we know. l' , 1 You have welcomed me as President of the Union everywhere in a most wonderful way. AlI this and the general success and progress of the game recorded in the Annual Report has made my year, if strenuous, a very happy one. The success is largely due to the gr'eat assistance rendered to me by my Vice-Presidents, Mr. P. M. Holman and Mr. J. Brunton. also the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. W. C. Ramsay and the Assistant Hon. Treasurer, Mf. E. E. Saunders and, of course. to tbis ~onderfUl Committee who are elected by t,he clubs ta carry on the work of the Union. l . Finally 1 commend to you our Secretary, Douglas' Prentice and his Staff at Twickenham who, with the South African Tour, postponements of games, ground difficulties, have never had so much worry and work thrust upon them, and on your behalf 1 extend to them at this representative gathering of our clubs, our warmest thanks for aIl they have done for us." Annual Report, Season 1951-52. ' The President moved the adoption of the Annuld Report. This was seconded and carried unanimously. Statement of Accounts, Season 1951-52. 1 The Honorary Treasurer, Mr. W. C. Ramsay, p~esented the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 30th April, 1952, and moved its adoption. This was se~onded by Gloucestershire R.F.U. and carried unani­ mously. Election of Officers, 1952-53.( Mr. H. Cleaver, the retiring President, declared the officers of the Union for Season 1952/53 elected as follows:- :, 1 President Mr. P. M. Holman. Vice-Presidents ~r. J. Brupton, D.S.O., M.C. ,Mr. W. C. Ramsay. Hon. Treasurer Mr. W. C. Ramsay. l, Before vacating the Chair Mr. Cleaver said:- l, ' "The new Vice-President, Mr.W. C. Ramsay, i8 also our Hon. Treasurer, which is now a very big job indeed, as you will have realised from the accounts hb has so ably presented to you. He has weIl earned his nomination to the office. ' \ Our Senior Vice-President, Mr. J. Brunton, you know as a leader of the game in the extreme North of England where he has done valu able service. He is also an old International. , ~ now come to our new President, Mr. Percy H~lman. A member of a great Cornish family famous in business and sport. He has reached this great office by long service to our game in his native County of Cornwall and 25 years' service on the Rugby Union Committee. 1 know you will give him the same encour­ agement and support that you have given me and wish him a happy and successful year of office. Congratulations to you, Mr. President, from us aU." Ontaking the Chair Mr. P. M. Holman said:-' "Little did my father think when on his return ffom Queen's College, Taunton, he, with some other enthusiasts, formed the Camborne Club in 1878 that one day a son of his would become President of the Rugby Union; nor in my wildest flights of fancy did it; occur to me when I joined the Rugby Union Com­ mittee as CornwaIl's Representative in 1927-25 years ago~that an honour which 1 consider is the highest in the realm of amateur sport would one day come my way.' L I do not feel this is so much a personal honour 1:IS one to the West Country and CornwaU in particular. Cornwall in the past has produced many outstanàing players and since the War no less than three Eng­ land captains, and 1 believe I am right in saying more IQternational caps than from any other County. But never before an England President l'

1· ln that capacity it is my pleasure on your beh~lf to thank Harry Cleaver for the magnificent job he has done during his year of office. He has practically deloted the past twelve months to the cause of Rugby foot­ ball; no journey has been too long, no club too small.' His guidance and advice in Committee have been of inestimable value, and his foresight in the early day' of his office as to the financial position of the country and its repercussion on the Rugby Union prevented jwhat might possibly have placed us in an embarrassing position, culminating asit has in the curtailment oQJ3ank loans, the increased taxation we shaIl have to pay on E.P.L., and next year in double Entertainment Ta!?'. . We look forward to his advice .as a Pa st presidett for many years to come. . It is also a source of great satisfaction to me lhat 1 shaIl have tbe support of Mr. J. Brunton and Mr. W. C. Ramsay as my Vice-Presidents. 1 You will also wish me to thank our Past Presi lents, and in fact aIl members of those Administrative Committees throughout the country who have given br their time and energy for the furtherance of Rugby foot- b~. .' t

ln particular 1 would like ta thank the Referees,~without whose help the game cannot go on. . 1 am very pleased that next season we are ta ,ave a Referees' Conference as 1 feel the uniform inter­ pretation of the Laws is of the utmost importance, pd the more they can get together, not onlyparochiaIly, but internationally, the better.. Il We are continuously hearing suggestions for sReeding up the game and makinglt more attractive for the spectators. WhiIe 1 think we are aIl in favour of a c!fange, if a change is for the better, it must always be borne in mind that the game is for the amateur, most of whom work at their office desks or benches during the week, and there is little chance in the long winter evenings for exercise and practice. Moreover, 1 think 1 am right .in saying that no basic Law has been altered for somel~ears, only fresh interpretations from time ta time, either because the original wording was not clear or possibly fore often because sorne clever individual or individu aIs have discovered' a loophole by which the original int9~tions of the Law could be evaded. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the Laws as they stand. ~I would suggest that you will get the football you want if it is played by clubs and players in the true spirit of the game. Turning to the future, in view of the ever-gro~i~g numb~r of players and clubs in this country-speak­ ing of Cornwall alone, whose figures are available to ~e-more than three times the number are playing each week than before the War-I do not think we have anything to worry about. It is also being taken up by more and more countries in Europe and overseas. You will remember the Overseas Committee this year arranged a meeting in London of Presidents and Seclietaries from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain and Sweden; at which the great principles of ourlgame and its organisation were explained, and in parti­ cular the importance of refereeing. They were also ~aken to see the Varsity Match and their enthusiasm was tremendous. l,:

ln concluding, 1 would like to sound one note o~ warning in that 1 am still a full-time Director of my Firro" and with the geographical position of Cornwal~ 1 roay not find it possible to accept aIl of your kind invitations, matiy of whicb are already appearing on the ·horizon. If 1 cannot make it in person 1 shaH be with you in spirit. . A . Finally, 1 w~uld like once more to thank you Iror the confidence you have shawn in electing ~e, and can assure you 1 shall endeavour to carry out the dqties of this high office to the best of my ability." '1 Auditors, 1952-53. .' ! . Mr. W. C. Ramsay proposed the re-election of *essrs. Gillespie Bros. & Co., 43 Chandos Place, London, W.C.2, and expressed appreciation and a vote of than,~s for the work they had done. This was seconded and carried unanimously. '1. Bye-laws. . . Mr. E. Watts Moses, on behalf of the Commi tee, moved the adoption of the new Byelaw 18 proposed by the Committee of the Rugby Football Union. This ~as seconded and carried. . BYE-LAW 18, page 12, to be amended to read:+. . "No Bye-Iaw or Rule as to Professionalism shall be altered, rescinded or added to without a majority of at least two-thirds ·of votes reconi~d at a General Meeting. Any alterations in the Rules ! as to Professionalism shaH be notified to the other Unions in membership with the International Rugby Football Board forthwith. "Every proposaI by a Club or the Committee of the Union for the alteration or rescission of, or for an addition to, the Laws of the Game, shall be subinitted to a General Meeting, and if approved by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes recorded thereat shall be forwarded to the International Rugby Football Board for its consideration. N0lalteration in the Laws of the Game shaH become oper- ative until adopted by the said Board". '.

Laws of the Game. 1 Sir Wavell Wakefield, on behalf of the Harlequin. Football Club, proposed the following alteration to the Laws of the Game:- 1

LAW 24. Penalty Kick, para. Cc): . 1. after "nearer to the mark, and" insert "except when the kick is awarded in the non-offending team's half." l The proposaI was seconded by the Barnstaple Ru9by Football Club and carried.