Welcome to East Grinstead Rugby Round Up. If you are reading this on the website, or via Facebook, please sign up to receive this Newsletter via email, which contains loads of pictures and other content, please email m.marriott@btconnect.com and we will add you to the list.

RUGBY RETURNS
The weeks of waiting are finally over. Rugby is back at Saint Hill after the summer. Our senior men, toned, fit and strong from their arduous pre-season, are ready to go. Hopefully you are too, because this Saturday sees Old Colfeians visit EG. Kick off is at 2pm, so please head up to the club and cheer the boys on.

Another tough match follows a fortnight later as Heathfield and Waldron also travel to HQ to sample our hospitality. Please come and support the boys at both of these matches. See you on Saturday!!

BOARD MEETING
Over the next few issues of Rugby Round Up, we are going to meet your board members one by one and get a short insight into who they are and how they support our rugby family. This week we are meeting Derek Hughes (Pictured here with his lovely wife, Tricia)...

Derek joined EGRFC in 1983 having moved down from Scotland and played two decades of sparkling rugby for G’s. Over the years Derek has been a great servant of the club, coaching and chairing the junior’s, intermediates and the colts in his time. He was also the club’s Townsend Trophy holder in 1985.

Derek agreed to join the board last year as director, and also take on the hugely important role of club President for this coming season from Andy Poole. The President is the figurehead of the club, representing it at internal and external functions, organising pre-match meals and managing our club award nights among many other beer drinking tasks.

Derek says “Andy has been an absolutely incredible President and leaves huge shoes to fill - I will give it my best. It is a huge honour and pleasure for me to serve this amazing club as Director and President”

Great stuff Derek (He drinks bitter if you want to buy him a pint).

SECOND HAND KIT FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE
Have the kids grown out of their kit again? Have your boots finally fallen apart? Are you having a clear out of all your old stash? Please read on because we can help!

Last season, Alison Fraser started the huge job of collecting unwanted rugby related kit and either exchanging or selling it from the club on a Sunday morning. This season, Alison is going bigger and better than ever before, but she needs your help!!!

We are in the process of creating a Facebook page where you can contact Alison and where she can post her wares (Watch this space for the link as soon as it’s ready...), and she will, of course, be back at the club on Sunday mornings, but she needs kit ready to launch the G’s Shop.

Do you have any unwanted kit? Alison is keen to take anything rugby related, from boots, to bags and ties. She is also going to be stocking stash for all ages, from kids to senior players. Please support the club and Alison by donating now...

When operational, you will be able to either swap another article for your desired item, or simply buy it for ridiculously good money, which as all proceeds go towards supporting your club, is a win, win combination.

If you have any items to donate, or you are desperate for a particular article, please email Alison at: alifrass59@gmail.com

Thank you in advance for your support!

SAD NEWS
It is always hard when we lose one of our rugby family, but to lose two of our biggest characters in quick succession is especially sad.

TED DOUTHWAITE
Many of you will remember Ted well. Ted joined us in the early 80’s with the difficult job of running our club bar which was mysteriously not doing as well as it should. Apparently Ted spotted the problem immediately and famously said “Put a lock on the bar door and give me the only key”.

Ted agreed with John Rees to take on the job for a season or two and ended up running the bar for a couple of decades. John said “Ted was a lovely man and clearly devoted to the Club which he served so well”.

DAVID JUPP
David sadly passed away on Tuesday 1st August at Southampton hospital. William Davis said, ‘David was a remarkable member of the club in the 60’s and 70’s. In addition to being an extremely robust prop, despite his gammy-leg, he also possessed an incredible voice of operatic quality, which was invaluable during the club sing-alongs during those days of yore. He last attended one of the Old Farts' lunches about five years ago, since when frail health has prevented the journey from Southampton.” David is pictured here captaining the 4th team in 1970 - He is holding the ball in the front row.

The following information is for anyone who may want to attend the funeral at Southampton Crematorium East, Basset Green Road, SO16 3QB on Monday 4th September at 1:00pm. Donations can be sent to British Heart Foundation. Family Flowers only.

The club sends huge condolences to the families of both these fine men who have been such a huge part of our rugby family over the decades.

NEW JUNIOR CHAIR
For anyone who missed it, we have a new Junior Chairman for the 2023/24 season. Please follow this link for all the news: Junior chair

OTHER NEWS
If you have any news about any aspect of our rugby family here at East Grinstead, get involved and email m.marriott@btconnect.com. See you next week!!