Widden Old Boys RFC
Full name | Widden Old Boys Rugby Football Club LTD | |
---|---|---|
Union | RFU | |
Nickname(s) | The Don | |
Founded | 1922 | |
Ground(s) | The Memorial Ground | |
League(s) | Gloucester One | |
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Widden Old Boys R.F.C is a rugby union club based in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England. They currently play in Gloucester 1.
History
Established in 1922, Widden are one of the oldest rugby clubs in Gloucester. It is affectionately known to its members as "The Don".
Widden was originally formed as a club for ex-pupils of Widden School, the school closed many years ago but Widden continue to use the Old Boys tag to this day and no longer rely on ex pupils to boost the playing numbers but a thriving and successful youth section.
Widden moved to their current home at the Memorial Ground on Tuffley Avenue in 1958 and they share this ground with fierce rivals Old Cryptians RFC.
Widden are renowned as not only one of Gloucester's most successful rugby clubs, but also as one of its friendliest, making a point of striving for success on the field as well as off it on the social side.
Its club motto, "facta non verba" means "Deeds not Words".
Current Club Positions
As of the 20th of May 2014 Widden's members elected the following club officials for the 2014-2015 season:
- Club Chairman: David Easterbrook
- Club President: Phil Courtney
- Club Vice-Chairman: Anthony Walker
- Honorary Secretary: Ros Deane
- Club Captain: Benn Hannis
- 2nd XV Captain: Lewis Bolton
- 1st XV Manager: Mike Taylor
- 2nd XV Manager: Nick Taylor
- Head of Youth: Martin Thomas
Coaching Team
Widden are coached by Adam Eustace
Youth Sides
Under 17-18s Under 16s Under 13s Under 12s Under 11s Under 9s Under 8s Widden Rhinos
Resurrection
In 1999 Widden were forced out of the league structure and were very close to closure. However thanks to tremendous efforts from club stalwarts and the clubs superb youth system closure was avoided. Subsequently Widden were led to 4 promotions in 7 seasons by club captains Stuart Dobson, Nick Taylor, Dave Connors, James Cooke, Gareth Evans and Chris Godsell (Jamaica Exiles)
This marked a tremendous turnaround in fortunes with Widden currently riding high in Gloucester 1 and no matter how successful the club becomes great efforts are still made to continue the huge character and team spirit that epitomised Widden during their fight toward the top of the leagues.
Competition History
Gloucestershire Premier:
- 2006/07 - Runners-Up, Playoff Champions
- 2004/05 - Champions
- 2000/01 - Champions
Gloucestershire County Cup
- Runners-Up: 1976/77
Gloucestershire County Plate
- Runners-Up: 2007/08
North Gloucester Combination Senior Cup
- Winners (4): 1928/29, 1930/31, 1931/32, 1958/59
- Runners-Up (3): 1956/57, 1987/88, 2006/07
North Gloucester Combination Junior Cup
- Winners (2): 1929/30, 1938/39
- Runners-Up (3): 1933/34, 1936/37, 1938/39
North Gloucester Combination Glanville Cup
- Winners: 2004/05
- Runners-Up: 2005/06
Famous players
Widden has over the years developed many prominent players of the game, notable current and former professionals to have played for the club include:
- Ryan Lamb (Gloucester, London Irish, England Saxons, England U-21)
- Adam Eustace (Gloucester, Llanelli Scarlets, England A)
- Marcel Garvey (Gloucester, Worcester, England A)
- Brad Davies (Gloucester, Plymouth, England U-21s)
- Nathan Carter (Gloucester, Worcester, Barbarians, England).
- Chris Fortey (Gloucester, England A)
- David Spencer (Gloucester, Gloucestershire, South West)
- Paul Webb (Gloucester, England Colts)
- Paul Taylor (Gloucester, Gloucestershire)
- Reuben Haile - Gloucester, County U16's, SW England U16's & England U16's, England U18's
Widden has also produced many players to have represented at high levels, chief amongst these players are:
- Michael Wilcox - County U16's, SW England U16's & England U16's
- Andrew Clegg - County U16's, SW England U16's & England U16's
- Thomas Miklausic - Gloucester, County, SW, England Schools, Glos 7's
- Joseph Goatle - Gloucester, County, SW Schools, Gloucester United & Glos 7's
- Andrew Brown - Army U21's & Northern Ireland Combined Services
- David Connors - Glos Schools U15/ U16, County Schools U16/ U18 & Gloucester Colts
- James Cooke - Gloucester Colts
- James Coopey - County, SW Schools & Welsh Exiles
- J Craven - Glos Colts
- M Craven - Glos Colts & County Colts
- Americo D'Amico - Glos Colts
- C Dyke - Glos Colts & County Colts
- Richard Gough - England TA
- M Grey - Army
- Simon Lane - Gloucester Academy
- Phillip Middlemiss - Scottish Exiles, County & SW Schools
- G Moore - County & SW Schools
- Andrew Murphy - Scottish Exiles, County & SW Schools
- Dominic Murphy - Scottish Exiles, County & SW Schools
- Kevin O'Connor - County & Gloucester
- Graham Penter - Ireland students rugby league
- J Pritchard - Gloucestershire U15/16, Army U19/20, Rotherham U21
- M Powell - Gloucester Colts & County Colts.
- S Smith - British Army Germany
- T Smith - Glos Colts
- Thomas Spencer - Gloucester U15/ U17 Welsh Students
- James Stevenson - County & SW Schools, Welsh Exiles
- A Tanner - County & SW Schools
- Nicholas Taylor - Glos Colts
- P Taylor - Gloucester & Gloucestershire
- Iain Vanes - Gloucester Colts & Glos/ County U21
- Andy Wadley - England Schools U16
- Ben Walsh - County & SW Schools
- Gary Walsh - Gloucester Colts
- L Weaver - County U15's, U16, Colts and South West Colts
- B Whitard - Scottish Exiles
- Craig Smith - Irish Exiles
- Stuart Carroll - Gloucester Combination
- Gareth Evans - Gloucester Combination
- Wayne Thomas - Gloucester Combination
- Matthew Folley - Gloucester Combination