Woolston Rovers Season Launch and Annual Hall of Fame Dinner took place on Saturday evening and was yet again a huge success as a packed Masonic Hall enjoyed an excellent evening with three further Rovers stalwarts being recognised for their fantastic contribution to the Green & Gold.
The first Rovers stalwart to be inducted on the evening was John Keefe and he was followed by Mark Brookhouse and James Bell as a captive audience gave each of them a thoroughly deserved standing ovation as they were called up to receive their Hall of Fame shirt.
Also on the night Mark Brookhouse presented Heritage Numbers to many of the past players who were in attendance; this is a fantastic concept that he has worked really hard on over the past few months and more of these will be awarded over the course of the season. Earlier in the week Ronnie Duane presented the very first Heritage Number to Joe Chamberlain who was a member of the inaugural team in 1959; fittingly he was awarded the No 59. Thanks to Dave Ditchfield for the excellent design of the certificates.
Current NCL coach Liam Lawton also took the stage to give an excellent insight into how pre-season training has gone in preparation for the new campaign in Division One following the Play Off Grand Final victory last season. He spoke about the hopes and aims of both Open Age sides, with the NWML taking their place in the Entry Division for 2024 and also the importance of ensuring that we have an Under 18s side in 2025.
The evening was sponsored by Millstone Durbax, with thanks to Simon Knowles for his continued support. Thanks also to Liam Horrigan for his very professional comparing of the evening, Peter Astley for announcing each of the Inductees with a great insight into their Rovers journey, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols for once again showing her support for the club and to the staff at the Masonic Hall for their fantastic hospitality once again.