Too many Rugger Players think only of themselves and not enough of the people behind the scenes who give up their spare time to the administration of the game. One such person who has given a lifetime of dedicated service to the handling code is our own Billy Wicks.

Born William George Wicks on the 24th December, 1883 and educated at North Street. School, Bedminster, Bill showed great promise on the sporting and the scholastic side of his days at North Street. So much so that upon leaving school he became a Teaching Apprentice.

At the age of twenty-one Kitchner asked Billy to join the army in order to overthrow the Kaiser. and so it was that Bill joined the R.A.M.C. and served with distinction in the Field Ambulance. Life in the front line of the 1914 - 1918 War was no picnic, but fortunately for everybody Bill survived "the war to end all wars" and finished up as Staff Sergeant Instructor.

Bill was very keen on the medical side of life, but his first love, teaching, won the day and in 1919 he took up studies at St. Lukes College, Exeter gaining the distinction of being Vice Captain of the College XV in the seasons 1919-1921. It was at St. Lukes that he became friendly with that great administrator of the other game of football, Stanley Rous, now Sir Stanley.

After graduating from college Bill returned to his native Bristol, and started his teaching career at Westbury School moving later to Ashley Down Boys School. There is more than one Saracen who remembered being taught how to pass a ball properly by Bill - if only they had been a little more attentive!

One of Billy's fondest memories at Ashley Down was seeing the Schools Senior XV win the Bristol Schools Cup in the season 1934-35. Much must be said for his coaching as this side went the whole season undefeated.

Bill wore the Sara's jersey for twenty-four years during which time he won his cap, Captained the Sara's 1st XV and represented Bristol at middle row forward (the equivalent of Hooker, but of course in those days the props were allowed to hook as well).

Perhaps, as distinguished a playing career as he had, it will be his work as an administrator that Billy will be remembered. After he had hung his boots up he was an active first class referee taking amongst others Bristol, Bath, Weston and Exeter games. He has at one time or another been President of the Gloucestershire Rugby Union, Chairman of the Bristol Referee Society, (also Secretary for sixteen years), Treasurer of the Saracens, selector for the English Schools Rugby Union and Chairman of the Bristol Schools R.F.U.

Bill, in his well deserved retirement, enjoys a game of bowls at St. Andrew's Park for which club he is President, on top of which he is Vice President of the Bristol and District Combination, on the Committee of the Gloucestershire Rugby Union and Bristol Referees Society and , of course, President of our own Club, needless to say Bill was made a life member of the latter.

Bill shares another record with his charming wife, for in December they celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations to them both!

Bill has given a lifetime of service to Rugby Football and it is an honour and privilege for us to be able to say "Billy Wicks is our Club Presiden.....