Stopsy wore a Gloucester shirt shocker
By Stopsy
July 3 2002
Oadby born and brought up, with a Welsh mother there really was only one sport and one country to support in the 60s and 70s.
By Stopsy
July 3 2002
Oadby born and brought up, with a Welsh mother there really was only one sport and one country to support in the 60s and 70s.
At Junior school, Mr Lewis (Wales) challenged Mr Burrows (Lancashire) to a game of rugby, I played in my first rugby shirt - a Gloucester shirt!, I was hooked. My Dad took me to Fiji against the Eastern Counties at Welford Rd and various Baa Baas games, then I started going by myself to Tigers games age 12.
I remember telling a load of drunken Chelsea fans that Leicester FC was not Filbert St, but they knew better! Went into hospital for an operation on a recurring shoulder dislocation, operated on by the Tigers tame surgeon, Tom Stoyle, who advised my Mum to let me play rugby and only stop if my arm fell off!
Age 13, I went to upper school who were trying to build a rugby team, guess who volunteered to play tighthead, first game was against Market Harborough Grammar and an 18 year old Loosehead. You never learn so fast as when you're filling your boots!
Age 15 I was invited to train with the Tigers Youth, being a shy type (you've probably noticed) I cycled from Oadby to Thurnby (5 miles) to get a lift from my mate's dad, then did training then cycled back. I have never been fitter. Great memories of Chalky White's fitness training (Sandbach minis suffer the same tortures!) also Messrs Rowell, Wheeler and Cowling using us as a substitute scrum machine on what is now known as Nelson Mandela Park, then known as Sh!t Rec. A certain Mr Steve Redfern ensured that I got a fine set of bench splinters.
Dropped out as other interests grew including my girlfriend (now beloved wife). Saw a lot of away games in the early 80s, Fiona was very keen on watching Paul Dodge and Rory for some reason, why she married me I'll never know. Started going to Welford Rd regularly as a spectator in the late 70s . Member since late 80s.
Son and Daughter used to argue over who was going to be Darren Garforth when they were 7 & 5! James has yet to see Tigers lose in his 5 years of watching, this season we'll stop taking the kitchen stool for him to stand on. Living in Cheshire makes it a bit awkward to get to as many games as I'd like to and due to the need to drive, certainly restricts beer intake.
I remember telling a load of drunken Chelsea fans that Leicester FC was not Filbert St, but they knew better! Went into hospital for an operation on a recurring shoulder dislocation, operated on by the Tigers tame surgeon, Tom Stoyle, who advised my Mum to let me play rugby and only stop if my arm fell off!
Age 13, I went to upper school who were trying to build a rugby team, guess who volunteered to play tighthead, first game was against Market Harborough Grammar and an 18 year old Loosehead. You never learn so fast as when you're filling your boots!
Age 15 I was invited to train with the Tigers Youth, being a shy type (you've probably noticed) I cycled from Oadby to Thurnby (5 miles) to get a lift from my mate's dad, then did training then cycled back. I have never been fitter. Great memories of Chalky White's fitness training (Sandbach minis suffer the same tortures!) also Messrs Rowell, Wheeler and Cowling using us as a substitute scrum machine on what is now known as Nelson Mandela Park, then known as Sh!t Rec. A certain Mr Steve Redfern ensured that I got a fine set of bench splinters.
Dropped out as other interests grew including my girlfriend (now beloved wife). Saw a lot of away games in the early 80s, Fiona was very keen on watching Paul Dodge and Rory for some reason, why she married me I'll never know. Started going to Welford Rd regularly as a spectator in the late 70s . Member since late 80s.
Son and Daughter used to argue over who was going to be Darren Garforth when they were 7 & 5! James has yet to see Tigers lose in his 5 years of watching, this season we'll stop taking the kitchen stool for him to stand on. Living in Cheshire makes it a bit awkward to get to as many games as I'd like to and due to the need to drive, certainly restricts beer intake.
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