Rugby Union in Coventry

Fran Cotton used to teach at Coventry Prep School when I was at KHVIII. I met him and Roger Uttley once at a mini rugby tournament at Kenilworth Rugby Club. They were huge guys and looked very scary but in fact were very nice chaps. Fran played for England over 30 times if memory serves, a very fine player. Plus of course he is Mr Cotton Traders along with Steve Smith another England international.

I've just come across this first original posting on this subject. Yes, I well remember the Cossacks performing there, and it was 'during' the war. There were also several armed services demonstrations at the rugger ground done to raise money for the war effort. I also lived not far from the ground during the war.

Interesting to read the memories and recollections on here of the "old" Cov. Being brought up in Hewitt Avenue I went to most home games especially as my grandfather was "on the gate" and I was small enough to creep under the old ratchet turnstiles. I went to Moseley Avenue School (1948-1953) and Woodlands (1954-1960) so that, along with living on the doorstep, made Coundon Rd part of my life, and other people's memories have rekindled mine. What year did we clear the snow off the ground (South Efrican (sic) Universities??), the trainer (Harry?) with muddy water in half a rugby ball bladder running on to treat injuries (without being sexist imagine the reaction then if the physio had been FEMALE?????? lol), players making a circle around a player changing his shorts then almost ceremonial throwing them in the air out of the circle, if the flag up the flagpole when playing at home.

A sad sight in its final days.

But on a brighter topic - might not be totally appropriate but proud to mention that my eldest has just returned from a tour in Devon representing Coventry Schools and District and is also now in the North Warwickshire squad. Twickers here we come!

Congratulations to you and your son NY

Yes, NY a sad sight, and they cleared off behind my back, I emigrated to Scotland, but the shot of the "cowshed" reminds me of the last game I saw there. I was down from Scotland and there was an evening game on, so I went. I stood down by the rails in front of the cowshed, and there was a line-out right in front of me. Coventry throw in and they made a mess of it. I uttered (probably in a loud voice) the immortal word RUBBISH. Bill Gittings who was running the line turned round to me and said. "You really mean that don`t you"- he was right, I think they were "losing it" then. Don`t know whether that is a happy memory or not. Congratulations to your lad, hope he goes on to the adult game, couldn`t have a better grounding than Coventry Boys. I think my father was a selector in the 1950`s when he taught at Hen Lane (Whitmore).

Thanks Lovely memories Keeepa. Can I add one more - do you remember the "Big game" of the season when Cardiff came to town. Crowds overflowing long while before the start, and the singing and the ceremonial planting of the leek or was it a daffodil? Was the South African game the one where Peter Hain`s mob tried to stop the game. My wife and I lived in Basset Road and ran the gamut of the crowd. When we got home my mother-in-law who was looking after my one year old daughter said "Look she`s walking" so I think that would have made the match early January 1969.

Roger, the South Africa game was January 6th 1970.

. . . and here is the programme cover

OMG and I got a school cert in Maths - yes I apologise, my daughter was born in December 1968

Thanks Robin and Roger. He'll definitely go on playing - loves it. He currently plays for Bablake, Earlsdon RFC, North Warwicks and Coventry Schools (flanker mostly) so yes he loves the game! I was at school with Neil Back - I think the memory of being flattened by him a few times put me on to the round ball more to be honest! Another mate of mine has a nephew who is an Old Wheatleyan and has been playing for the Scotland U21 side so you can see the breeding ground and tradition for the game is still alive and well in Coventry. I'm sure you know Tom Wood, Jim Hamilton and many others are all Coventry lads.

There must be a reason for that, Dougie . . .

Yes there is MR, as you know Wigan, Leigh, St. Helens, and Warrington, where I live, is a bed for up and coming rugby players at school level, it's a big difference when you start playing in the under 18s and by the age of 17 they are going into the open age teams, that's the time you come up against the big young lads that's trying to make a name for themself. The bowling club that I've been a member of for over 40+ years is also the home of the "Ashton Bears" rugby set up with teams of all ages, the number that make it to the open age is high then the bad injuries start and I personally have experience this in the family, that's why I said get out