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Alan Pennington 1947 - 2005
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The boys from the Lancashire and North Wales Under 14s' squads compete annually for the Alan Pennington Cup.
This trophy commemorates the life of a great rugby man with connections in both regions. The ‘Pen’ played his first rugby match for Sefton in 1962 at the age of 15 and in a career, which spanned four decades, he played well over 500 first games for his beloved club. He captained Sefton twice 1978-79 and 1980-82; he was Chairman, President 1989-90 and club coach for several years.
Between 1966 and 1971, after his marriage to Olwen, he lived and played rugby in Dolgellau and the North Wales town became a second home. During this spell he played county rugby for Merioneth.
The trophy recognises the value that both organisations place on the value of representative rugby at the Under 14s' age. Lancashire continued to develop a County Under 14s squad throughout the period when representative rugby at this age became unfashionable in RFU circles, only to re-emerge through the Schools of Rugby initiative.
Whilst Lancashire have often travelled as far afield as Essex to find occasional Under 14s' opposition in the 'barren years', and enjoyed some excellent fixtures against Leicestershire, our friends in North Wales have for long been a valued opponent.
Junior and Colts rugby was always close to Alan Pennington's heart and it is therefore wholly appropriate that the ‘Pen’ is remembered in these Under 14s' county matches between Lancashire and North Wales.
John White
Vice Chairman, Lancashire Rugby Committee
& Under 14s Team Manager (1999/00 to 2007/08)
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