History of Harwell Rugby Club

A NOTE ABOUT OUR PRESIDENT
Brian Arnold ‘Dad’ as he affectionately known came to Harwell RFC from Aldermaston in the 60s. He had come to Rugby quite late being in his early 30s before starting to play, having played football before. He has been the President of Harwell RFC for 28 years and during his time with Harwell has been Chairman, Fixture Secretary, and 1st, 2nd & 3rd team Captain. He was still an active playing member until a couple of years ago, when reluctantly he decided to hang up his boots. He still gets involved by running the line at many games. Last season he was chosen by the Oxfordshire RFU to go to Twickenham for a day out to watch the England v Wales game, and to the after match dinner with the players as the guest of the President of the RFU. Brian is a gentleman among gentlemen and Harwell RFC is proud and privileged to have him as our President.

History of Harwell RFC
Early Years, Founders
50’s and 60’s. Presidents Hill and Arnold
1970’s. 28 wins out of 32 and Longest Serving Captain
Late 70s
The Harwell Boys
90s
2000 Oxfordshire County Plate

HISTORY OF HARWELL RFC

Harwell RFC was founded in 1947. The Club formed as a works side for the Atomic Energy Research Establishment. A second XV was started in 1949 and a 3rd XV in 1955 and a 4th in 1958. The first Harwell Rugby Club shirt colours were originally a completely white shirt, during the middle 50s the shirts were changed to blue and white hoops. The colours of today were introduced in the middle 70s, with variations ever since. There are many people who have given long and distinguished service to Harwell Rugby Club. The following is an account of only some of those.

Early Years, Founders

In the early years there was Bob Jackson, John Morrison and Hugh Roskell, all founder and life members of the club. They marked the pitches, got the posts made and erected. The posts were made of metal, and believed to be the first in the country. They even bought a job lot of boots themselves before they could play the first match. Harwell RFC’s first match was played on 27th September, 1947 against Oxford Exiles Extra ‘A’ which was won 36-3. The early years also saw us with some distinguished players who played at much higher levels, Jack Cameron of London Scottish, John Roberts of London Welsh and Oxford, John Thresher who had played for the South African Universities, and Ken Allen who played first class rugby in Ireland. Harwell also played in the Civil Service Cup competition, this ended when the UKAEA became a separate entity. Many of the fixtures from that competition remained for many years, Cheltenham Civil Service, RAE Farnborough and Aldermaston.

50’s and 60’s. Presidents Hill and Arnold

In the late 50s and early 60s trips to away fixtures were made by coach, very few people having cars, and there were social evenings and singing in the social club, now sadly demolished. In the club one evening Jimmy Hill was there with Colin Bartlett (Secretary from 1970 until 2000) and a ‘famous’ local vicar Hugh Pickles. Reverend Pickles was so impressed with the singing (don’t know about the content) he said it was better than his church choir and was anyone interested in joining. Jimmy Hill was a former President, and the present Harwell First Team Player of the Year Cup was donated by him. The 60s saw people like our present President, Brian Arnold come to Harwell. A memorable match for him was to play together, with his son-in-law Pete Roots and his grandson Simon Roots, three generations of his family. Scott Roots is now the only playing member of the family. Names also deeply set in the archives at that time are Ray Coulthard, Frank Freeman, and Cliff Richard.

1970’s 28 wins out of 32

During the 70s there was a significant period of change for Harwell Rugby Club. Senior players such as Ray Coulthard and Frank Freeman were soon to leave Harwell to seek their fortunes abroad. Ray Coulthard was our longest serving captain, and perhaps one of the most distinguished as a player. The Telegraph once printed how badly Berkshire had played with the exception of Coulthard. (Yes we were in Berks until 1972).
The 1977/78 season coincided with one of the last great ‘Scientific Assistant’ intakes into the AERE. An event eagerly awaited by sports clubs on-site, as upwards of 60 young fit men were available for the taking. From this intake came two players who would do their part in helping provide Harwell Rugby Club with two seasons of remarkable success. This duo - Nick Millet and Tony Carter - were soon to slot into the Harwell 1st XV which a season later proved to be one of our best seasons ever.
The 1st XV at that time benefited from the continuity of established players such as Tim Sanders (tight head) Bob Evans (blind side) Tony Harvey and Tim Evans (locks) and a youthful yet powerful wing in Andy Langman. Not forgetting Steve Dixon, who also coached us in the early nineties, Simon Edwards (hooker) Chris Godding (loose head) Paul Coles (centre) and Richard Radcliffe (scrum half). Under the captaincy of Richard Radcliffe the 1st XV won 28 out of 32 matches.
Another club stalwart at this time was Paul Browning. (Former Chairman and Treasurer for many years) Pauls first game was in the autumn of 1975, convinced to play by Tim Evans with the words ‘come and play rugby for the 3rds tomorrow, it’ll make a man of you’. He did play, but didn’t have any kit and was supplied with one boot and one plimsoll. He was captained on that day by Dave Hammond. Dave was a former Chairman, and served on the committee for several seasons and arranged our tours.
Ted Lewis, player, 3rd team captain and merchandise organiser.
Brian Flanders was a player who served the club as Match & Fixture Secretary.
Steve Wright joined the club in 1971 and was a member of the committee for many years. Steve is a Life Member, served on the committee until 2010 and is involved in the proposed future of the club. On retirement from playing Steve took up the referees whistle.
Tim McKinnon came in the late 70s and played for many years; along with his brother in law John Hill both have sons that have played for Harwell RFC, James and Charlie McKinnon and Robbie & Jack Hill.

Late 70s

The middle to late 70s saw more characters arriving at Harwell RFC which younger members of the club might be more familiar with.
Pete Phillips started playing in September 1979 and played regularly for the 2nds and 3rds. He was 3rd team captain in the 1980/81 and in the latter years has helped to get out teams. A long serving member on the committee, one time County Rep, Chairman in 92/93 and 93/94, A life member and involved in the proposed future of the club, Pete was Chairman again in our 60th year, and recently his son Craig played for the club.
Simon Henderson played for many years and was Chairman from 1994/96. Simon’s sons Tim and Oliver have both played for Harwell. Chris Mason, Fly half, went on to be 1st team captain for two years 1986/1988. Gary daluz Vieira and Larry Lewis both working in Compton, Gary started playing in 1978. Gary was Chairman in 89/90 and again in 2003 to 2005. Third team captain for three years and he was part of T.H.R.U.S.T. ‘The Harwell Rugby Union Silly Team’. Each week the THRUST committee would announce a ‘silly thing’ to be done that Saturday. Non-conformers were fined, and at the end of the season, a discussion took place as to which worthy cause might benefit, but it was usually decided to blow the lot at a local hostelry. Larry Lewis, first team captain in the 1984/85 season, would wash the shirts himself; players often wondered where the ‘sweet smell’ came from when they put their shirts on to play. It was said that Larry used to dry them on the backs of the cows.

1980s Harwell Boys

Harwell RFC takes its name from the village just down the hill. During the 80s and early 90s as site recruitment dwindled, our club was to benefit from many a young player from the village which represented the first significant source of ‘non-site’ players. Among the ‘Harwell Boys’ as they became known were Anthony Dearlove affectionately known as ‘Sweeny’. He played for many years and was third team captain in the 82/83 season. Sadly in 2007 Sweeny died but his name is etched in the memories of Harwell Rugby Club.
Another village boy, Doug Bosley, persuaded to play by Mervyn Godby, started playing on the wing in 1981, in 1984 Gary daluz Vieira persuaded him to try the front row, so he became a hooker, he found his calling and has played that position ever since and still plays today. He was 1st team captain twice 89/90 and 99/00 and the 2nd team captain from 1987/89. He took over as Committee Secretary in 1991 and became Secretary in 2000. Doug is also now a member of the Oxfordshire County Executive and a Life Member of the Club.
Anyone from the village is familiar with the Connolly family, they definitely deserve a mention, and the whole family played, Harold (H) Connolly, Martin Connolly, and James Connolly. Sister Maureen obviously couldn’t, but did her bit, having two sons who play today, David and Mark Baker. Their late father Dave Baker also played and had been very much a part of the club.
A mention for Chris Cairns (Morris) and Richard Jenkinson (Jinks) both played for several years.
Robert Ponting, ‘Leaping Salmon’ aptly named for jumping in the lineout. He started playing in 1986 in the second row, later moving to flanker and then No 8. He played for the County side the Oxtails at Second Row, and for South West Oxon (the best of Abingdon Didcot Grove Harwell & Wallingford). He was asked to play for the Grove Presidents squad against Grove for their anniversary. As the main lineout jumper, when local press came to games he would very often get in the picture. The cameraman would ask people on the touch line, of which Gary daluz Vieira was one, the name of the people in the shot, and Gary being Gary started the trend of giving a different name each time, and so was born ‘Rodney Funting’ & Rupert Phatang etc. Rob was Treasurer for 12 years and is a Life Member of the club and current president (2008-2009, 2009-2010).

Kevin Lewis, affectionately known as ‘The King of Tonga’ played his first game for the 3rds in 1981. He played 1st team from 1990/94 and 2nd team from 1994/2000. He has been 2nd team captain 1994/95 and was 3rd team captain from 1988/1990 and again in 2000/03. He was 1st team Manager from 2003/2005. He was Chairman for three seasons from 1996 to 1999. Kevin is still an active member of Harwell and is still a serving member of the committee and a Life Member of the club. His son, Mark Lewis, now plays for the club and we now have our own Prince of Tonga.
Jim Douglas (Uncle Scunter) first started playing regularly for the club in 1988; he had made the occasional appearance previously. Introduced to the club by Rob Ponting who he had played football with for many years, Jim was a regular Prop Forward in the first team. He served on the committee and is a Life Member of the club. Sadly Jim passed away in 2009. The last couple of seasons have seen his son, Robert Douglas playing for the club and he was made our young player of the year in 2006/07.
Kieran ‘Spud’ Murphy played for several years and organised tours to Neanagh. Bryan Pigott, as a young 16 year old was persuaded to come training by Jerry Burbage, and started playing in 1986/87. Both came from Chilton, Jerry had been playing for several years already. Bryan went on to be 2nd team captain in 1995/96 and 1st team captain in 2003/04 and from 1994 has been a long serving member on committee.
Jenny Bosley, became Match Secretary in the 1989/90 season, and took over completely as Match & Fixture Secretary in 1994. It all started when Brian Flanders, Fixture Secretary at the time had commitments to the county and could not give time fully to the job. While sitting in the Social Club one day he asked if Jenny would take over for a while. 20 years on and she is still in the job and a Life Member of the club.

1990s

As the club went from the late 80s into the 90s along came players such as Richard (Dick) Homewood. Work based in Ardington, Dick bumped into Doug Bosley in the village shop one lunch time, conversation led to him coming along to play, and he started playing in the 1987/88 season and still plays today. He was third team captain in 1997/98 and second team in 1993/94 and again in 2006/07 and was second team captain again in our 60th year. He is a long serving member of the committee was made a Life Member in 2007.
Eddie (Golden Boots) Forsyth was Harwell 2nd team captain in 1991/92. The 90s also brought us Martin Whitelock, (Fly half and Full back), Huw Waters, (Back row) and David Rossister, (Back row) all very Welsh. Not to forget our Scotsman Andy Whiteford, (Scrum half), and Michael (Corky) Caulfield (back).
Huw Waters was Harwell 1st team captain from 1993 to 1995. and until his departure to pastures new took care of our international ticket allocation. Andy Whiteford was Harwell 1st Team captain in 1995/96. Michael Caulfield, was Harwell 1st team captain for the 1996/97 season, he worked for many years with the Jockey Club and is now a sports physiologist and can often been seen on our TV screens, last spotted with the Surrey Cricket club.
Dave Paton as a young 18year old started playing in the 1995/96 season. He had walked into the Crispin with the Froud-Williams twins and Tonga was stood at the bar, turned around and said ‘he looks like a flyhalf’ the following week Dave was playing flyhalf for the 3rds. Little did he know that he would have to catch passes from Spratty (Pete Edwards scrumhalf for several years) that were coming from between his legs and over his shoulder. After going to University Dave returned to Harwell in 2000. He then played rugby for Didcot for a season but when they folded he came back to Harwell RFC and captained the side in the 2004/05 season when Harwell were in the Berks Bucks & Oxon Premier League. We beat Oxford at home that season, and almost beat them away. Dave brought with him players like Simon Ritson, Jamie Buckle, Andy Lee and Ben Lacy. Also that season we won the Max Seymour trophy for the third time, the trophy is voted for by the Oxfordshire Referees Society and presented to the club they think is most deserving of it for the way a club looks after and communicates with them.
Also around at this time the before mentioned Froud-Williams twins, Rob and Jim Froud-Williams, Village boys and the nephews of Huw Waters. Rob played for Grove for a few seasons, but saw the light and came home. He played in the Harwell 1st team as scrum half.
Today two more relations, twins again, John and Sam Froud-Davies keep the tradition going of Harwell Boys.
Jason Beesley, came to Harwell after moving into the area, having played rugby for Gosford All Blacks he was looking for a local club to play for. He turned up for the AGM in 1993, and has been with the club ever since. Jason has played in all three sides, and served on the committee from 1996 to 2002. The club is grateful to Jason for Sponsorship.
The middle to late 90s gave us Laurence Savage, 2nd team captain in the 2001/02 season and Treasurer since 2003.
Steve Pitts was 1st team captain for two seasons from 1998 to 2000. During his second year as captain we played Winslow and clocked up one of the highest scores we had for some time, beating them by over 50 points. Unfortunately for Steve he was flying to Kenya the following day, so wasn’t playing in case of injury, he tried every which way possible to get on the pitch as a Sub, but none of the spectators, under strict instruction from Julie, were prepared to let him in case the worst happened and the consequences that would cause them.
Bob Humphreys, 3rd team captain 1999/00 and Chairman for three years from 2000, Bob has also been tour organiser for the last few years.
Matthew Shuttleworth came to the Harwell in the late 90s. He was 1st team captain 2001/02, sadly Matt was killed in a farming accident in 2005. He was the life and soul of any club social occasion or tour, and he is sadly missed.
Sadly that year we also lost James Sellars and Tim Sanders. James had played from about the mid 90s and Tim had been 1st team captain 1976/78 and part of the 1978/79 successful Harwell side. Harwell arranged to have three bricks with their names engraved on in the Walk of Fame at Twickenham.

2000 Oxfordshire County Plate

As Harwell RFC entered the new millennium we were captained by Kevin Jones 2000/01 and we were coached by Mick Orton, who took us to the Oxfordshire County Plate Final against Wallingford in 2002. What a day, 20th April 2002, and what a game. All wearing a white carnation with sky blue and navy ribbon (supplied by the inimitable Matt Shuttleworth) the spirit of the Harwell squad and its coach load of supporters was the envy of most Oxfordshire Clubs. The Oxford Mail wrote:- ‘Harwell may have been the underdogs, but for the first 57 minutes until the sin-binning of centre Tom Eaton for a deliberate knock-on they deserved their lead. Strikes against the head and control of the rolling mauls saw Harwell go 13-0 up after 23 minutes ... Harwell much to the pleasure of their large group of vociferous supporters, maintained their momentum into the second half until that crucial sin-binning . . . ’. The score was 22-18 to Wallingford.
The squad that day were, Steve Pitts, (Captain): Doug Bosley, (mom) Lonsdale Gayle, Kevin Jones, Glen Cuthbertson, Matt Wild, Mick Orton, Dave Rossiter, Ian Paul, Matt Shuttleworth, Giles Carbury, Tim Carbury, Pete Davies, Bob Humphreys, Liam Orton, Nick Brown, Tom Eaton, Bryan Pigott & Steve Fisher.
In the 2002/03 season we were to reach the third round of the Powergen Junior Vase, under the captaincy of Ian Paul (Billy) we travelled to Tewkesbury only to lose by the narrow margin of 7 - 0 in a very hard fought game.
Peter Underhill was captain in the 2005/06 season and the 1st XV went unbeaten until Christmas. On the departure of Mick Orton, Colin McDonnell who had played for the club in the late 80s was now back coaching.
Under the captaincy of Matt Wild 2006/07 season we again went on to the third round of EDF Junior Vase (Old Powergen) and went out to Marlborough, and maybe it’s a game we should have won.
The 2006/07 season also saw us start running a vets side again and captained by Mike Giddings got through to the semi-final of the Oxfordshire Veterans Floodlit Cup, beating Wallingford 29 -19 and Grove 39 - 0, but we lost to Witney in the semi-final. The spirit was still there, and long may it continue. In 2008/09 the vets went one step better be reaching the final losing narrowly to a strong Chinnor team.
Andy Lee took over the Captaincy from 2007-2009 winning promotion to the Ox, Bucks and Berks Premier League. Our current Captain, Ian Empson, has been playing with the club for over 10 years and took over in 2009.

Harwell is, and it is hoped always will be, one of Oxfordshire friendliest clubs, its long history is built from the love of this club by the many people that have played for it, the people that still play for it and the committees that have helped and the committee that still help to run it. It’s a family club, with many a father and son, brother, cousin, or in-law. It has many different characters, and has formed life long friendships. We have had our ups and we have had our downs and we don’t always agree with one another, but it is and always will be the ‘HARWELL RFC’

NEW EVENTS:
20th Jan ** Updated Fixtures **
7th-9th May: Harwell Tour


Harwell Vets 2009 Runners Up

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