An excellent turnout for the annual PPA lunch, it was good to see many old faces, new ones and some who had changed over the years that one was left wondering who that standing next to so-and-so was!
The reminisces are what makes this type of event special, from the time when coach travel was the norm, with customary late stop after games in Yorkshire and Midlands, the older players starting the singing on the way back, the numerous comfort breaks by the road side to the exploits of players on the evening out or the next day when people missed the coach back!!
The tour was always a highlight of any season. Eire, Holland, Belgium, not least South Wales organised by the ’Leader’ to mention a few from my playing days.
Certain fixtures/games stick long in peoples mind, whilst others are quickly forgotten - oh happy days

I believe our oldest attendee was Peter White - so great to see him

The following were inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’

Peter Boardman, Glyn Ridpath and Denis Smith

(Full list under ‘documents’ on the web site)

A number of past players or supporters are no longer with us since last year they include:-
Peter Harrison, Ken Wilkinson, Warren Coleman, Mike Ashall and Chris Baldwin

A vote of thanks goes to Fred Winstanley, for again organising the lunch ,Jim Robinson, Brain McLoughlin who relieved us of our money and Malcom for the catering. (apologies to anybody I have missed). A special mention goes to Steve Hennessey who started the PPA - so thanks.

The game today is a far cry from those of yesteryear but I am sure some younger past players will have their memories of playing for WRUFC so let’s see as many of you as possible at next year's event, scheduled to coincide with the first home league game in March 2017

The players and supporters for Lunch 2016 were as follows…..
Bill Allen, John Arnold, Peter Baldwin, Chris Barnes, Peter Boardman, Tony Bowers
Alan Bramhall, Stuart Brown, Dave Burrows, Ian Buttress, Doug Chamberlain, Fred Clarkson
Ian Cleminson, Stewart Coleman, Mike Cornelia, Terry Critchley, Dave Delooze, Mike Dolan
John Done, Bill Dutton, Mike Ellis, Paul Emson, Chris Eyres, Eddie Fairclough, Steve Forster
Mick Garlick, John Gibbons, Rod Goodall, Colin Graham Snr, Phil Griffiths, Gideon Hamblett
Terry Hamblett, David Hartill, Frank Hawley, Paul Hennessey, Steve Hennessey, Glyn Howells
Phil Ingle, John Ireland, Dave Jervis, Dave Jones, Jon Jones, Andy Kellett, Vern Leigh
Mark London, Mike Lythgoe, Alan McCarthy, Brian McLoughlin, Simon Moores, Andy Morse
Tony Norton, John O'Dwyer, Paul O'Neill, Paddy O'Toole, Gordon Pepper, Geoff Perks
Roy Potts, Glen Ridpath, Paul Rigby, Jim Robinson, David Roughley, Martin Savage
Brian Shaw, Denis Smith, George Smith, Noel Smith, Nick Stafford, Ken Turner
Richard Turner, Norman Wainwright, Andy Walker, Ron Westwood, Gareth Wheatley
Paul White, Peter White, Mike Williams, Fred Winstanley, Nigel Wrathall
Drinking only……Colin Graham Jnr, John Skelton

See you next year

Geoff Perks

P.S. To all past players or supporters please ensure the club have up-to-date contact details, in this digital age an email to Fred Winstanley (winstanley90@winstanley90.fsnet.co.uk ) or myself (perks@btinternet.com)