Manor Park RFC

MOST people fortunate enough to reach 50 years of age celebrate reaching the milestone with a day of indulgence, relaxation and reflection.

But not Manor Park RFC tight-head prop Glynn Huskins, he was set to mark achieving the big “five-o” last Saturday by packing down against Harbury in Midlands 4 West South action.

However, the evergreen front-rower was afforded a small mercy as the frosty elements postponed the fixture, affording him a day off to watch the Six Nations on television.

“I’ll keep playing as long as I can,” said Huskins. “I don’t want to become one of those old men who sit in their chair moaning, while I can still bring something to the table, I’ll turn up with my boots.”

Huskins first rocked up to the Griff and Coton-based club 27 years ago and has stood the test of time, playing under countless captains and coaches, and still remains in and around the first team.

“I’ll play for whoever I’m selected, whether it’s the firsts, seconds or thirds,” added Huskins. “There’s a lot of good young props at the club, but the rolling subs at this level means there’s a chance for me to come on if we’re under pressure and the coach thinks I can help out.”

As well as still being a genuine scrummaging force, Huskins is also a fine ambassador for Manor Park RFC, often seen shaking hands and exchanging words with the opposition, and knocking their changing room door after the final whistle to share a few words of praise or encouragement.

Current head coach Lee Maddison said: “The Man, The Miracle, The Rhino, Mr Dependable who else could I be talking about? None other than "Big Glynn Huskins".

“I’ve been at the club for ten years now and pretty much weeks into my arrival to the club as a "thin young whipper snapper", Glynn took me under his extremely large wing and was a big reason why I stayed at MPRFC.

“He taught me the ins and outs of the club and was and still is always there if you need some advice or to just blow off some steam and rant away he would let you, let you finish and then take the Mickey out of you!
“But that’s the Glynn we all know and love.

“He quickly introduced me to Sunday drinking which was a whole new world of drinking that I had never experienced before and between him, Booie, and his brothers Paul and the very much missed Big Baz I was soon a Sunday regular, come to mention it he turned me into a Saturday regular and a Friday night regular in the club and some of the conversations I’ve had with Glynn over the years at the bar can only be described as surreal and completely mad.

“All I say is "the banister" or the "three finned platypus" enough to fry your mind hey big man?

“Enough about off the field antics let’s get down to where this giant ply’s his trade.

“I have never seen in all my years playing rugby which is some 23/24 years now a prop that has never took a step back in scrum.

“It’s no exaggeration this man is an immense tight head prop if only he could move about the pitch a wee bit more he could be a world beater!

“In the same vein of conversation I’ve never seen a prop tackle as low and "dart like" as Glynn.

“It’s unbelievable really and at the age of 50 to still be puttinga first team shirt on is a remarkable achievement and one Glynn should be extremely proud of.

“Every time he steps on the pitch he inspires those around him to follow his lead.

“He is a quiet player but when something does venture out of his mouth it usually makes a lot of sense.

“In short Glynn you are an inspiration to any young player in the club to play at the highest level within the club you can, and ultimately play for as long as you can.

“You are credit to the club and your family mate!
“Here’s to another 50 years of first team rugby big man, happy birthday, oooooorrrrrrrraaaaaaahhhhhhhh.”

Former Manor Park player and highly respected coach, Kevin Venus also had glowing praise for his former team mate.
He said: “As an ex first team captain in some of the clubs most successful years, Glynn at tight head was the corner stone of those massive performances and certainly gave us the platform for the many memorable wins we all enjoyed.
“A true stalwart and rugby gentleman.”

Current club secretary Daz Joyce, said: “I would like to wish Glynn a very Happy Birthday and congratulate him on his continued longevity in MPRFC colours.
“I spent many seasons alongside him in the Manor Park front row and witnessed just how formidable he was and still his.
“The club has been a better place with P.G Huskins within it.”

It’s not just within Manor Park circles that Glynn has made friends, two of his old adversaries from up the A5 also had kind, and colourful words.

Atherstone RFC club chairman, George Bartlam, said: “I have been playing for Atherstone since 1983,and as long as I can remember there has been good old local rivalry between the two clubs.

“I have played against Glynn on many occasions and alongside him once as a guest for Manor Park in an over 35s fixture.

“Glyn is what I would call an old school prop; big, round, fugly and can be found at the bar most Saturday afternoons.

“Our club captain and club coach Mark Lewis (ex-Northampton first team player) said anyone who is still playing any sport at 50 is an great achievement, let alone rugby.

“But to play prop at the standard that Glynn has for so long is a real credit to him.

“Mark said he has the up most respect for Glynn as a player, and a clubman.

“Glynn is a real ambassador for rugby as a sport, and is an inspiration to all young players coming into the game.

“He has been a great stalwart, and servant for Manor Park Rugby Club for many years (and many more to come) Manor Park Rugby Club are very lucky to have him.

“Happy Birthday Glynn from all at Atherstone Rugby Club.”

Current club press officer and club secretary Bobby Bridge, said: ““My abiding memory of playing was away at promotion chasing Worcester Students, a young powerhouse loosehead was doing all the modern day fashionable things; tapping quickly to bind, wearing a skin tight shirt, pumping his fist on engagement, and shouting “sink two three four”.

“Glynn, silently and ruthlessly, buried his head up his ar$e, marching him backwards on their own put-in for Matt to touch down.

“From my intimate position at hooker all I could hear was the desperate muffled exhaling and trauma of this young lad, who unwisely thought he could out-power “the old man”.

“I am sure when we were four tries to the good he let up on him a little bit, there is some mercy in him!

“Keep it up Glynn-dog, I hope to be writing about you for many years to come yet, fella.”

Manor Park RFC chairman, Nick Bishop, said: “The man is an enigma. Why would anyone with a first name of Peter prefer to go by the name of a Welsh lady?

“Glynn has always been there as a player at the club and in my eyes he is more of a pillar than a prop, in the club house you will never find him more than two feet away from the bar and on the pitch you won’t find him more than 50 meters from the breakdown

“Not the quickest, not the slickest and definitely not the prettiest Glynn has nearly all the right attributes for an absolutely awesome player.

“He could have made himself available at a much higher level but for two things.

“The first, and I guess the club are lucky for this, is he is a Manor Park Boy through and through (I have seen his blood and it is red and black) and the second is he is too nice for example in the engine room when Glynn has the better of his adversary rather than turning the knife he has even been known to offer coaching tips.

“It has been a while now since I heard those silky, golden tones singing “there is a green hill far away without a city wall, where our dear lord was crucified, he died to save us all. For he’s a jolly good fellow.....etc, etc".

“So Glynn comes from an era when rugby players knew all the words to the songs, but something you will never hear him say is “back in my day” because today is still his day.

“You often hear people say things like can you remember what you were doing when president Kennedy died, when John Lennon died, when the queen was crowned or when star wars first hit the big screens well if it was a Saturday afternoon and it was between August and May he would have been playing rugby for Manor Park.

“Many happy returns, here’s to another 27 years in the red and black.”

Affectionately referred to as “ledge” or “uncle Glynn”, he keeps fit by partaking in numerous bike rides but typically of the man, conceded he has been “lucky with injuries”.

It was fitting in 2010, when Manor Park RFC celebrated its 50th anniversary that Huskins received a tie acknowledging his 25 year contribution to the club.

So what does the future hold for the venerable clubman?

“I love the club and it’s been a huge part of my life, I don’t see that ending anytime soon,” he concluded.