Farnham R.U.F.C.

LAST EVER FARNHAM RUFC SPORTSMEN’S LUNCH AT WRECCLESHAM GROUND

As Farnham Rugby Club prepares for its long awaited ground move to Monkton Lane the last ever Sportsmen’s lunch will be held on Friday 13 April when Ireland and British & Irish Lions legend Willie John McBride MBE will be the guest speaker. Willie John played 63 Tests for Ireland including eleven as captain, and toured with the Lions five times — a record that gave him 17 Lions Test caps. He also captained the most successful ever Lions side which toured South Africa in 1974. Willie John follows a long line of distinguished guest speakers who have attended the previous 11 lunches, including Martin Johnson, Sean Fitzpatrick, Rory Underwood, Sir Ian McGeechan OBE, Martin Bayfield and Michael Lynagh.

The Sportsmen’s Lunches initiated by Andrew Phillips commenced some years ago with just 85 members and guests at the Bush Hotel Farnham. Since then the events have continued to grow in size and have raised many thousands of pounds without which the Club would not now be contemplating its ground move for 2012/13 season. Each lunch now attracts a regular audience of 400 including members, guests and local business taking the opportunity of social and business networking. The organization by the Club to cater for this event is impressive with Stuart Anderson (Andersons’s Restaurant) coping manfully to feed the multitude from what resembles a British Army Field kitchen.

Major fundraising is achieved via the auction of memorabilia and donated attractive sports related events and goods – it’s amazing the price people have bid for one of Jonny Wilkinson’s old shirts! This year’s list of auction goods include:- a cricket bat signed by the West Indian legends from the 1980s including Viv Richards & Gordon Greenidge, a family membership package donated by David Lloyd Leisure, 3 Bath back rower shirts signed by the whole team, an RWC 2003 signed rugby ball and a London Olympics 2012 signed Team GB shirt.

This 2012 event is sponsored by Callmaster Mobile a local, Farnham based business. Farnham’s community spirit works best when business and local clubs join forces and collaborate, develop the town and create opportunities for its people: “Farnham Rugby Club’s new ground and clubhouse will be a great focal point for local business as a place to meet, hold events and network”, said Thom Gibbons, Callmaster Mobile, “we champion and support collaboration, the Sportsmen’s lunch is an excellent event that we are proud to sponsor to support the new facilities at Monkton Lane.” Callmaster Mobile work with many local businesses, managing their essential communications via mobile phones or tablet pc's with emails and applications on the go along with other office productivity tools that are best fit, hassle free and meet businesses organisational needs. “Our clients come to us for various reasons; mainly because they know they get the best fit deal, latest smart technology, forward thinking account management and won’t have to speak to the networks, so everyone’s a winner.”

The auction lots include:
1 Days Fishing
Days fly fishing on exclusive syndicate water on the River Test at Chilbolton. The day will include lunch in a local pub. Equipment can be supplied.

2 Cricket Bat
A bat signed by the West Indian Cricket team that defeated Hampshire on 12 May 1988 at the County Ground Southampton. Signatories include Viv Richards & Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Hayes and Malcolm Marshall

3 David Lloyd Leisure
A 3 month Elite family membership to the club. This will be for 2 adults and 2 children therefore valued at £750

4 Samovar
The world famous Farnham rugby club samovar that has more owners in last 10 years than you can shake a stick at!

5 Harlequins Ball
Signed by 2012 squad

6 England Ball Rugby World Cup 2011
Signed ball from England squad

7 Vasectomy
An absolute snip at any price!

8. McLaren F1 Book
A book signed by Button and Lewis with a personal message as well as a tour of the McLaren workshop.

9 3 Bath Rugby shirts
Shirts donated by donated by Andy Beattie. Zac Feaunati and Michael Lipmann.

10/11 Bath Rugby Shirts
Framed squad shirts signed by the Bath Rugby squad

12 Team GB London Olympics 2012 Shirt