Samson Rising - a book by John Hambly
I read John Hambly’s book in a day, couldn’t put it down, writes the RFU’s Editorial Manager, Patricia Mowbray
Former England captain, Dylan Hartley: “The Samson Centre, where fellow MS sufferers are able to manage their symptoms, stands as a symbol, not just of the solidarity of sport, but of the power of one man to make a difference.”
The true story of an extraordinary ordinary man, is soaked in the shenanigans, sweat and tears of both John and his rugby club teammates.
It is, we are told on the cover, the true story of a Cornish lad who found inspiration through sport and strength in adversity.
According to Dylan Hartley’s foreword what John possesses is Mana, “a powerful, supernatural force” which “symbolises authority, influence, pride and prestige” and was part of Dylan’s upbringing in New Zealand’s Maori heartland.
John has certainly been a powerful force in creating the Samson Centre in Guildford, which offers 10,000 therapy sessions each year to those with MS, like John himself.
Over 17 years, as his own condition worsened, he was fundamental in raising millions of pounds, with help from rugby teammates, charity trustees, family and friends, to build and develop this much needed specialist centre.
John, or Vertical to his Truro team mates (his older brother Dave being named Horizontal due to the quality of Cornish ale) found rugby, as many do, at secondary school. Rugby coach, Harold Stevens, helped turn this diffident member of “the fat boys club” into tight-head prop for Cornwall’s 18 Group.
After a misspent youth at Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University), John arrived in London’s West End as a newly-qualified surveyor with a strong Cornish accent and without a decent suit to his name. It wasn't ling before he found his new rugby home at Old Actonians RFC.
Anyone who loves rugby will love the antics and unique rugby comradeship in this story. If you want celebrity, add to Dylan Hartley, Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Leonard, Simon Shaw, Jeff Probyn and even Noel Edmunds.
But this isn’t a star-studded walk down memory lane, it is peopled by real life characters like kind-hearted cousin Derrick with a penchant for beer and coconut mushroom sweets, and the rugby crowd you’ll find in any club.
There are the charity auction antics, the outrageous tour with Old Actonians back to John’s Truro roots. There’s Marion, the kind of wife who not only tolerates but shares the fun and madness of a wedding that includes not one but two rugby squads. There’s John’s four daughters and his Truro council estate tribe.
There is the way ‘Hammers’ has so often driven back the bullying MS by imagining it is the opposing scrum on a rugby pitch.
Advised that “I wasn’t famous, so there would be limited interest in my story” he has written a book that I couldn’t put down because of the laughter, tears, and the support of a game that’s more than a game – rugby.
If you are going to read just one book in the coming weeks, this is the one - Samson Rising by John Hambly. I guarantee you’ll love it.
Book your place at the live online book launch on Wednesday 23 September, running from 6.30pm – 7.30pm.
Join special guests, Jason Leonard and Andy Gomarsall, live streamed into the virtual event to share their personal thoughts about the book’s key themes: resilience in the face of adversity, John’s passion for the Cornish landscape and the power of the rugby community.
Guarantee your virtual seat at the You Tube live streamed book launch, by contacting Jane Ward, at janew@harveythorneycroft.co.uk. The event link will be sent to you by return email.
Samson Rising, £18.95 (hardback) is available from Amazon, Waterstones and via the publisher’s website www.unitedwriters.co.uk. Also available digitally in Apple’s iBookstore and Amazon’s Kindle store. Of that price, £1 goes to the Samson Centre, struggling like all charities because of Covid-19.
