Newark celebrate centenary
Newark Rugby Club’s renowned collection of international jerseys has been increased following centenary celebrations at the Nottinghamshire club.
Some 190 members and friends packed the Kelham Road clubhouse for a centenary dinner where former Scotland and Saracens lock Tom Ryder and under-18 England girls’ international Jess Weaver presented jerseys.
The jerseys will join a collection dominated by the career of record world points scorer Dusty Hare.
Dusty, who started at Newark before moving on to Nottingham and Leicester, was among the guests at the dinner which saw seven past captains and players reminisce about their playing days.
Guests heard from a group of former club players and captains – Bob Benbow, Nick Maltby, Bill Russell, Alan Swain, Edward Hine, Jon Lees and Danny Coen. Will Britten, the present captain, opened the evening by welcoming the guests.
Other guests included the club’s oldest life member in John Harris who was among the volunteer team who built the first clubhouse in the early 1960s.
John did not speak at the dinner but contributed to the celebrations by recording an interview which is featured on the club’s website – newarkrugby.com
It was put together by Bob Walker, a former BBC radio journalist, who has played for the club over the past 40 years.
The club’s centenary celebrations continue on Saturday 7 September when old rivals Southwell provide the opposition in a friendly fixture to also mark the start of a new season.
President John Coles toasted the club saying: “Our toast is to thank all who have made this club into what we are celebrating today and to wish our club well for the next century.”
