Rugby Union in Coventry

I remember we had a couple of Cov rugby players on the staff at KHVIII during my time there, namely Alan Cowman and Bob Griffiths. Also during the 70's, Colin Grimshaw who was a Cov player and Irish international, was a pharmacist at Thomas's Chemist at the Forum on the Walsgrave Road. They were indeed the days of amateur rugby union.

I was taught maths by Bob Griffiths for a year in the 6th form. He was a pleasant enough chap but a hopeless teacher. He really had no idea how to explain anything. I'm sure that had he not had his sporting pedigree, he would never have got a job teaching an academic subject at a grammar school. I believe he emigrated to New Zealand soon afterwards. During my time at KHVIII there were several players who went on to play for England. David Duckham was just about in my era, and Peter Preece and Peter Rossborough were also there in my time, although a few years older than me. Preece's father, Ivor, used to come to the school to coach some of the school teams at one time.

This page makes interesting reading I agree about the Cornwall match, I remember they brought train-loads of supporters up from the sticks Last weekend, Cov lost heavily to "Old Albanians" - not a team from Albania, but from St Albans

Attendance sounds rather high, even with the extra seats at the Moseley Ave end and around the touch line I wouldn't have thought much more than 6000, if that. Mind you they could pack them in for the big games, not much health and safety. One touring side played the Midland Counties (West) at St. Andrews, I was there, and think that it was South Africa. One game against South Africa at Coundon Road resulted in a protester being chased up a floodlight. Anyone remember the night game when a repeated response for a parked car to be moved resulted in the great Peter Jackson leaving the pitch to get his car keys. So many memories, how about the game against Bedford when their pack was being walked over by Cov. Lawrie Webb, an England prop, punched one of his own Bedford forwards, pointed at a Coventry player, retaliation against Coventry ensued. If I remember correctly Budge Rogers was playing for Bedford and the late Peter West was there commentating for BBC radio Wonderful topic and great days.

I was at the Midland Counties (West) game against South Africa. It was played on something like a Wednesday afternoon in January 1970. Still got a good attendance though. The match was in doubt until the 11th hour as the police were concerned at the level of protest that may have ensued.

I played at Coundon Road for Caludon Castle against Woodlands in the, i think, 1965 Coventry schools final. During the game I dislocated my little finger which was standing up at 90 degrees to normal. Being a 15year old Rugby player I was too old to cry and too young to swear and our school Rugby coach, the fabulous Jack Pilbin, came on to the pitch and took hold of my hand, nodded over my shoulder and said something like "If you think this hurts, what about him?" Of course I looked in the direction indicated only for Jack to crack my finger back into place. Forgetting the bit about being too young to swear, Jack smiled and said "Don't be a nancy. Get on with it" This was the same man who did so much for Cov. A man whom I admired and don't mind admitting that I cried when I heard of his demise. Strange how long gone incidents suddenly come to the forefront. RIP Jack.

Joints going back into place was a regular sight at Coundon Road. I played with Pinley for some years in the 1960s, our second team captain had an iffy knee joint that could cause problems. It was a regular sight as this huge second row forward would lie on his back in the middle of the pitch and shake the offending joint back into place, play often going on around him. Never understood the medical aspect of it, but it worked, and allowed him to carry on playing.

The Open University sometimes used to hire the bar area at Coundon Road for exams, usually in the mornings. All went well until one time somebody forgot to switch off the answerphone behind the bar off and every few minutes calls kept coming through, mainly about deliveries, which all the people taking the exam could hear. The invigilators couldn't get past the bar screen to switch it off and had got no contact numbers for anybody at the club. Eventually they got hold of somebody to switch it off and they exam time was extended to make up for it. However several of us had found the whole thing hilarious and were told off by the invigilators I think it was October '89 or '90

My Dad took me up Coundon Road from early 50's, maybe about 1952, 1953, and I am sure that I saw Ivor Preece play, he was brilliant. A couple of names that come to mind, Fenwick Allison, Harold Greasley, was the captain in my early days, Stan Adkins, a brilliant second row forward, whom must have retired quite recently, as he use to run the line. Also, Cov or Warwickshire or Midland Counties played, I think the Springboks at Highfield Road, early 60's I think. Do have some info somewhere, will look it out. Was speaking with George Cole recently, he lives in Ash Green, close to a family relative. Like many old sportsmen, quite disillusioned with the modern game. He did his time at the Dunlop, was also on the books of Coventry City football club as a youth, but obviously chose Rugby. John Barton lived across the road from us in Sewall Highway, obviously played for Caludon, before playing for Cov. My understanding is that as he was such a good Rugby player, along with others I presume, the club used their contacts to help him find reasonable and co-operative employment. Keith Fairbrother, also played for Caludon and then Coventry and England, he grew up in Blackberry Lane. I remember watching a Coventry side, with at least 5 internationals in, may have been more. Including Ian Swan, a Scottish cap, also included a Welsh cap whose name escapes me at the moment. Happy, happy days. I still have my Dad's club tie. He took me to Coundon Road, when I was about 8, (1953 time), although he was very keen on sport he wouldn't go near Highfield Road. Not sure why. He took me up the Butts to see cycling, (Reg Harris, Lloyd Binch etc.) also Athletics of course, as well as a Working Men's club to watch Amateur Boxing. Also remember going, whilst at Caludon, to Cardiff Arms Park, to watch an U15 international. In my time at Caludon, (55-59), I'm sure that we never played football in school time. Anybody else remember that?

Great post This list of internationals may help 1953 SJ Adkins Wales RCC Thomas 1954 E Robinson 1956 DF Allison PB Jackson PGD Robbins Scotland JS Swann

For those who haven't seen it . . . . . . this is the former site of Coventry RFC, Barkers Butts Lane, today This is the view across Barkers Butts Lane towards the site of the ground There are two named roadways (player names are also remembered in the names of the buildings, eg Jackson, Preece, Walker) Standing underneath the goalposts at the city end, looking towards the centre of the pitch! This is in Duckham Court - the building the roof of which can be seen above the garages in the distance is the one next to the signal box, parallel to the railway line

I married into a rugby playing family. My late husband used to play for the Old Wheats and Ernie Robinson was his cousin. I was taken to Coundon Road to watch a game but all I can remember is the intense cold and how I was ever going to get warm again.

Just a thought - Coventry maps show the road as Barkers Butts Lane, with Coundon Road on the south side of the level crossing So why was the rugger ground so named?