I joined the Club in late March 1965, and nowadays, only Barry and Keith Miles, Paul "Bloody Nuisance" Roberts, and myself are left of the Fairfield Grammar School gang that joined in the mid-60's, to play in the Under 17's team. However, it was at the start of the 1970's that I first became an officer of the Club, Hon. Treasurer being my first post. However, before I recall the 70's I must pay my own personal tribute to Charlie Jenkins and Gus Coppens, who sadly were not alive through the 70's, but who made an everlasting impression on me, and I suspect most of the lads that came from the successful Under 17's side of the time. They were truly great Saracens; I miss them, and I wish we had people of their passion, discipline, and loyalty today. They were "Uncles" at least, to all of us in the Under 17's.

The 70's were not without substantial individuals either, both on and off the field. The senior members of the day were Eric Leigh, George Wright and Jim King. Not only known throughout our Club, they were also widely known and respected around the Combination and County circuit. Eric is famous for his gentlemanly character, unbelievable loyalty to the Club which now spans some 60 years, and still going strong, but also for his Annual Tours "Super 8" Cine-Films. Who can forget the famous filmed striptease, to a chorus of " Get 'em down you Zulu Warrior" on the Isle of Wight, by Chris Jowett, perched on top of a 6 foot tall capstan, initially with just Sara's and two Red Funnel Fleet Ferry passengers watching from on board. Eventually about 500 passengers were in the corner of the ferry, which was by now a badly-listing vessel. The letter banning us from Red Funnel Fleet did not seem to grab George Wright's sense of humour at Committee, I recall. Eric, gentleman to the last, managed to keep his camera lens elevated at a height of Jowett's navel and above!

Incidentally, we had Eric's collection of filmed Tours and other famous matches like, for instance, the 75th Anniversary match against the County, converted into a video recently, for those interested in a copy. John Pullen is in one match. Stan Thompson and even the "H" men, Harper, Headford and Holbrook(s), in another. Chris Tovey looks very pretty on film, and unbelievable as it now seems, "Bert Britton really was a winger!!

George Wright deserves a book on his own. Often cantankerous, seemingly difficult and obstructive to any change or innovation, it took me fully 15 years to realize that as Chairman, and then President, he appeared to block change, really only to develop a "we'll show George" mentality for every project finally agreed, to ensure its successful completion. This applied especially to the building, and the necessary financing, of the new changing rooms. I would say that one major blunder made, is that Chris Tovey was not made a Life Member for his unbelievable commitment to that project. Today, our facilities are better than most Clubs, and we should be proud. Another controversial topic was the change of Club colours to Myrtle Green and White 4" Hoops. That change also took some discussing at the AGM, now 18 years ago. George in full flow that evening. I loved AGM's with George in the chair. Both Chris Harding and Ray "Blood" Williams certainly had a special relationship with George. Travel around the County, and it is quite clear that George Wright for many years WAS Gloucestershire. I am not sure if anybody realises how much of both family life and career were given freely to rugby. I wonder what he thinks of the professional scene, now?

Of this famous trio, Jim was our own personal lawbook, and also our resident dropkick/placekick guru for everybody, whether you liked it or not. He was better with "wellies" than most of our 4thXV kickers are with Adidas boots today. If only Larry Barnes could have spent an hour with Jim! Selection on Monday discussing how the 1st XV lost by40 odd points, rarely had anything to do with our pack spending 80 minutes being pushed backwards into oblivion, or those "bloody three-quarters" missing their tackles yet again; it was all down to Glyn Poulson not keeping his head down and still, in his last minute dropped goal attempt. Jim worked tirelessly for 50 and more years for the Club, and deserved much more on his ill-fated emigration to Australia.

The five senior Sara's mentioned above were, and are, the single major reason why we have such a strong Club today. Never underestimate the envy that other Clubs have of us.

The Two main reasons I give to people when I discuss the attraction of Saracen's is that we have always enjoyed a cosmopolitan membership to say the least. Characters like Bob Bakewell, Butch Harris, The Headfords, Lee Wills, Mike Blott, Dave Gaul, Ray Williams, Dave Preen, Rod McPhail, and many more, that made up the tapestry of our great Club. Secondly, I can honestly say that the result, by soon after the final whistle, has genuinely never seemed a life or death situation on a Saturday night, which is probably why we could lose to Imperial and then go out the following week, and press the great Avonmouth side all the way, as we seemed to do, whenever we played them. We have never really been the type of Club to punish poor sides. Either way, we could certainly always compete with the best socially.

After 30 years at the Club, and countless hundreds of Committee meetings, I can confirm that the topics may change, but only with the times. We used to discuss the merits of a one-armed bandit or the leaking tractor petrol tank split, at every meeting for two of three seasons. Now it is the merits of Satellite TV and the apparently crucial "en-suite" comforts of the Ref's changing room that regularly feature. Meetings are still better than staying at home, though!

I must mention players that I feel privileged to have played with. Forwards like Keith "Dusty" Miller, Harvey Hill, Bruce Brain (who has already played in the Centenary season, at the age of 5....(!), Barry Hooper, Norman Pearce, Bob Bakewell; and both Martin Nurse and Dave Healy who I feel should have reached higher levels than we could offer if they had fully exploited their great ball playing and physical prowess. Also Barry "Mincer" Miles ; (I pushed him in the match when we beat a good Gordano 1st XV, when he dispatched first the Tight Head Prop, and then the Loose Head to Southmead Hospital; you have no idea what it is like to be in there and hear a grown man squeal); and especially John Lear, not only a great flanker and a brave heart, but the easiest guy to captain that I had in my three seasons as 1st XV Skipper. One word in his ear like "John, I think the fly-half is taking the p..... out of you" was usually more that enough motivation to ensure John being man of the match for the next few Saturday's.

Three quarters like Steve Keey, John Smith, Laurie Harper and Mike Scannell were the pick of 1st XV's I played in, and Lee Wills was for me the most complete scrum half(and brandy drinker), in the Combination, at his best. With scrum-halves like Wills, John Greenland and Chris Harding( I can't wait to read what is said about him in this book); and his versatile father Martin, young Tom Harper currently for our Under 16's/17's who is a prospect to be watched over the coming years, has quite something to live up to. Chris (Stan) Matthews was certainly the unluckiest player we had. How, for ten season, each 1st XV Captain could week in and week out, ignore his immense self-stated talents, nobody can explain!

The Avonmouth "fog" Cup game when "Non-Stop" Bob Bakewell scored the try I will always believe would have won the game but for the elements; and the tackle of all tackles by Rich Jenkins (not mentioned elsewhere in athletic prowess you notice!) that literally won the match against a top Keynsham 1st XV, allowing "Rick Brickblock", (as printed in the Evening Post; it was actually Ricky Lock) to score the winner from the resulting interception, both stand out as memorable incidents. I do wish we were still good enough to have Gordon League and Dings Crusaders on a home and away basis each season. It was an honour and pleasure always to play them both (especially after the final whistle).

I have had 30 great years with the Bristol Saracens Club. We have our ups and we have our downs. We always recover. Our future looks better than ever, thanks largely to the Martin Harper and Co's Junior and Mini section. That was one "comeback" by Martin; who should have capitalized on his great all-round personal rugby talents more fully by playing more games for the Club; for which we will always be indebted.

I look forward to being a part of our great Club for many years to come. I hope that all of us have a wonderful Centenary.

AE Swash 1st XV Captain 1975-78 Hon. Secretary 1981-

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