LEGENDS LANE IN LOCKDOWN
These are unprecedented times in our lives. There will be very few members who can recall the strictures of the Second World War, even the rationing that followed it. We have lived in a liberal democracy and have taken all our freedoms for granted. In these last few months these have been taken away and unfortunately rugby could be one of the last on the list to recover. However despite the lockdown, despite the social separation and lack of any rugby being played there has been loads of positives going on at your club over the last three months.
Following the departure of head coach Dave Hynard after only one season, the committee co-opted Graham Walker (aka Boss) to build a new coaching team which would be the envy of any club in the area. Despite his health issues such is the power of Boss’s PMA that this has been achieved in just over two months.
Firstly head coach Baz Basra was recruited to steer the legends ship over the next few seasons. Baz’s record as a player at leading senior clubs and coach at Hertford over the past few years is impeccable, and he is a no nonsense character who will command and demand real respect from the players. Jaggy Johal, another man who commands great respect both as coach and player, will be at his side with his in-depth knowledge of our current playing talent.
The club had always been in contact with ex-England junior international and professional rugby player Tom Jubb. He started his career at Legends Lane and is now going to return as forwards coach now that his professional playing career has come to an end. Senior player and German International Kieron Davies steps in as backs and attacking coach, whilst ex-first team and local boxing legend Tom Ansell will build the fitness programme with the able assistance of Dan Bendon, who has already implemented a great online programme over the past few months.
As one wag joked “there will be more coaches than players”, but with the talented youth coming through as well as our current playing squad who improved so much last season, the committee believe that this new team can really shape the raw talent and achieve some great results over the ENTIRE senior playing squads over the next seasons. We have first rate club facilities at Legends Lane and now we have a first class coaching squad to look after all the needs of the players. Moreover we have no doubt that any ambitious players in the area who will want to improve their own playing status will be attracted by this wealth of talent we have to offer. The ambition is to build a substantial playing squad that can challenge for promotion over the next few seasons and regain our status in London One.
Added to this is a great physio team of Lisa, Keely and David, and the club have never been better equipped to give the individual player every opportunity to improve both their individual and team performances ... as El Prez said ”We’ve given you the ball now run with it! Oh … but only when we are allowed to!!”.
At present we are not certain when full-blown rugby will return. We have been given three possible dates – 1st September, 1st November and 1st of January next year. We are hoping it will be nearer November than January, with maybe September being a bit ambitious. However fitness training has already recommenced and you can be sure that the legends will be ready to really make an impact once we are back to the game we love.
One of Baz’s first actions was to appoint burly forward Jon Brain as first team captain. We have no doubt that the son of David will lead from the front, just as his father and uncles did in the 80s and 90s. The committee have appointed senior player Oscar Robinson as Club captain. Both appointments will be ratified at the AGM on July 23rd.
The club has spent over £7,000 in the current close season on weeding, feeding and re-seeding the pitches and Digger Gardiner has been hard at work in maintaining the grounds during the lockdown period.
Members will no doubt be pleased to hear that we have been congratulated by various local COVID-19 support groups for our efforts in helping out over the past few months with the crisis. Just before the lockdown the club had actually raised over £2,500 for the Lister Hospital, as well as over £5,000 over the last couple of years for the hospice. Various members have been active in the local groups, collecting prescriptions and shopping for isolators as well as being a phone buddy. Members have also been active in delivering over 7,000 leaflets to houses in the Letchworth and Baldock area for the Covid support groups and church appeals. Help has also been given at food banks and with food parcel distribution, with junior chair David ‘Smiler’ Cooper co-ordinating matters.
Senior player Rupert Howman and the Howman clan in general, with help from Danish and Big Dog, did a press up marathon at the club, and raised nearly £5,000 which was a fantastic effort. Rupert actually injured himself but still made it to the finish line despite this … what a legend!
Unfortunately we have lost two members to the dreaded COVID-19 over the past few months. Brian Sutton, who was an active VP and social member, and Phil Hall, the manager at the White Lion who was another regular at the club and a great help in all social matters, succumbed to the virus. Our condolences to their families, loved ones and all the many friends they have left behind. Both funerals passed through Baldock High Street which showed how much both were loved and respected throughout the community.
Now for other news in brief ... or your eyes will glaze over!!
- The AGM will take place at the club on THURSDAY JULY 23, 7.30 for 8pm. Be there if you care!!
- Senior Physio Lisa Wright and friends have started a ladies team which is already training on a Wednesday evening. For further details contact Lisa on 07796 578032
- Push up maniac Aidan Pryce will be coordinating social events next season
- Dan Bendon has been co-opted on to the committee as player / coach liaison officer
- We are hoping to bring a lot of the memorabilia down from the attic to timeline the changing room walls over the summer. Any surplus will be up for grabs … or be added to the golf clubs of old Letchworth town for lunch raffle prizes!!
- Boss and Tony Simpson have launched a 25 Club of ex-players which will raise money to fund projects outside the normal club fund raising. The 25 club will also meet once a month for social events and give members the opportunity to talk rubbish in a like minded environment, and make the case about what brilliant players they were over beer and curry ... what could be better??! For details of joining contact Tony on 07790 889385
- Whilst the club has seen a significant drop in income over the past months the committee has done its utmost to reduce expenditure and seek local grants from the local authorities and we thank everyone involved for their support. We also thank everyone who have kept up their subs & fees over the period despite the lack of activity. There are always standing costs as well as pitch maintenance at this time of year so THANK YOU!
- We shall be sending out VP and Social members renewal forms in our next newsletter following the AGM
- You’ll be able pay your 2020-21 membership fees online … to find out how please email Rick Sell on richardsell100@gmail.com
- Club Chef Les Wilsher is still looking for new takers for his Amber and Black club (old 200 club) for just a fiver a month … you could be a millionaire next year Rodders! Contact Les on 07837 373937
- Due to lack of usage, and hot air being talked above it, the legendary parquet floor has buckled for the first time in 60 years. However Teresa and Ace, who have been tireless in their maintenance efforts over the closed period, will be sorting this small problem!
- Ex-chairman Ian Freddie Kite has been tackling the dense bushes at the Baldock end of Legends Lane. To date he has found no buried balls but plenty of sharp thorns!
- We appreciate that these troubled times are really difficult for our sponsors so would like to take this opportunity of thanking you all for your support in the past and wishing you all the best at the present and the future, and hopefully those who have fallen off the perch will come back on board in better times. Just because you do not sponsor at present does not mean you will not be most welcome at the club - especially for lunches and dinners - so do not be a stranger.
- Due to the uncertainty of the autumn internationals and also the social distancing required it is unlikely the Twickenham capacity will be much above 30,000. We have already been informed that this will mean junior clubs will not really be getting any tickets to speak of so we are in the process of creating our own Letchworth Twickers experience ... more details will follow in a later newsletter …. but it is going to be a WOW event that all the sponsors will not want to miss … and will probably prefer to the mediocre beer, food and hours spent travelling to the live event! WATCH THIS SPACE ...
That’s all for now folks!
Stay well and stay safe.
Till normality returns!!
Toodle pip,
The Management
