Meet the Old Atherstone Players
With a history like ours
there are bound to be those historical figures that have to get a mention. They are the legends of the club, now
fondly called the OAPs, Old Atherstone Players. Former player Kim `The Nose' Whittaker
has taken on the role of getting the old boys together every now and then.
Gary 'Alfie'
Halford: A clubman through and
through, when his missus will let him.
Can warble a tune or two and gets the party
going.
Roy Clarke: Never ever has
Roy been know to
buy a drink or a raffle ticket at the club. Despite pushing fifty this nifty
engineer decided to try preseason training this year, but hasn't been seen
since!
John Henry
Lewis: Known to cook a mean
dish! Enjoys the social side of
rugby now. Has actually turned out
to play once this season but his old war wound saw him having to leave the pitch
almost before the ref started the match!.
Julian Rawlings
(Jools): Funny to put a relatively
young name in with the OAPs but after many a happy year at Atherstone a move out
of area meant he had to leave us. Still an Atherstone man at
heart.
Mick Perry:
Smooth suave and sophisticated (or so he thinks) bit of a ladies man
particularly when he dresses in his leathers!
Irvine Linstead: Retire Bobby Irvine still finds time in
his busy schedule to get to the clubhouse, have a few beers, watch the match,
have a few more beers.
Keith Berry: Seen more regularly propping up bars
nowadays. Former colleague of
Irvine the two of them
have certainly got many tales to tell!
Gareth
Airdrie: Son of referee and Club
President Gwyn Airdrie. Gareth is
another one of those younger players who have left the area but still have the
club in their heart.
John Clarke:
Having been Chairman for many years John breathed, ate and drank Atherstone
Rugby Club, (often dry!). Has been
heard to utter those memorable words "In my day ...." He still makes the odd appearance at the
club still. Most embarrassing
moment must have been when at the recent Under 30s vs Over 30s cricket match,
John, the oldest player, was bowled out by Gareth Douglas, the youngest
player!
Kim
Whittaker: If the stories are true
the club used to hire out Kim to the local farmers come ploughing time. The pitch certainly bears the scars left
by his nose!
If you are a
former player and want to still be involved contact the club through the link
below:
/Clubs/?cfUrl=http://www.rfu.com/clubs/index.cfm/fuseaction/hm.contact/grou_select/1194.htm
