Message from the President

A very warm welcome from all of the officials, players and supporters of Stockton Rugby Club to our visitors during the season.  It sounds a little trite when you see it in print, but sincerely; we hope you have a most enjoyable afternoon with us.

We particularly welcome newcomers to the division in the form of West Hartlepool TDSOB and Wallsend, and hope they settle into the league and quickly make new friends.

We said farewell to North Shields, who had a disastrous season last year, but what a good advertisement for rugby.  They held their heads high right to the end - despite being on the end of some awful results.  The spirit in the club at the end of the season was as good as it was at the beginning.  All credit to them for sticking to the task.

Also we said farewell to Redcar who although finished above us in the league were somewhat compelled by the RFU to join Yorkshire One. 

The continuing spirit of rugby never ceases to amaze me in spite of what the RFU seems to do to us.  The fact that we enjoy the matches and each others company both on and off the field is a testament to the goodwill which is fostered between clubs.  Many other sports should look to us as an example in that respect.

That goodwill goes also to the match officials to whom it is very often said that we would not have a game without them.  That is true, and the banner we carry in Stockton is that at all times to respect their decisions.  Yes decisions will go against both teams but over the season those decisions we challenge and those we see correct balance each other out.  It seems in August a long time to April 2008, but as time seems to go by more quickly each year, we will reflect back over the season as to how many of the controversial decisions really did affect the end result.  So what is the point in slagging off referees?  Let them get on with the job.  Let those who give them a bad time try refereeing themselves.  The person who does nothing is the only one not to make mistakes.   One comment I found in the press during the summer is that rugby officials make less than 5% wrong decisions.  I wish I could do the same in my life – do you?

Many thanks again to the local press for their helpful contributions to the cause of rugby.  It is good to have them on our side.  Bob Deans retired from commentating last year and we missed him coming to a lot of the matches, but those he did attend were most enjoyable.  Enjoy your retirement Bob.  Special thanks also to the Evening Gazette team, not only to Peter Griffiths and Andrew Wilkinson., but as you know I do a match report over the telephone immediately after the match, and the helpfulness of the girls at the other end, makes the job so much easier.  Thanks also to Tim Wellock of the Northern Echo for his match reports every Monday morning.

Sponsors are the lifeblood of all clubs, and our grateful thanks again go to them for their continuing support of the club.  It is unfair to mention any company in particular, but they advertise in the programme and on boards around the ground – and contribute for the privilege.

Lastly therefore, as you can see from my message, all at Stockton Rugby Club really do hope you enjoy your visit to us and meet up with us before and/or afterwards in the bar to discuss the pros and cons of the game and we depart with the same goodwill that we had when we came.

Eric Smalley
August 2007