The generation game
- 30 Jan 07, 10:34 AM
Glasgow - Proof this morning of global warming because I woke up and still had the hots for my wife.
But as I creaked out of bed, gingerly, for I am approaching a major birthday this year, I pondered on whether I had played rugby too long.
And that's the topic today, who's the oldest rugby player you've met or played with or against? Just for fun let us celebrate the older player. How long can you keep playing rugby?
I played until I was 29. The ball sailed my way at the start of the second half at Twickenham and I ran at the nearest English player. He tackled me low, very low, and, bang, the right knee gave way. I should never have caught that flaming ball. Gary Pearce, I shall visit you one day...
There were various friendly games after that, but representative rugby stopped right there and then, and the operating table loomed for a fifth and final time.
But I see , who, I think, is 93 years old, has signed up for more action at Bristol. Lawrence Dallaglio is, surely, in his fifties.
Och, I lie, Llewellyn is a mere slip of a lad at 37 but you get my point? I had been retired for eight years when I was 37, and I thought playing careers were meant to be shorter.
I once bumped into a man called Easton Roy, a fantastic specimen of a man, who was still playing rugby in his seventies in Stirlingshire.
He would train by banging into trees for goodness sake! Men were tougher then. There are little men in Japan who play in their nineties with funny coloured shorts which mean you can't tackle them. Someone told me the other day that there is a prop in Scottish club rugby in his fifties.
There is a Japanese player, Sadayoshi Morita, who is 90 and trains three times a week, according to Google. Crikey, he would get a game for most clubs I played for with that kind of effort.
But here's my nomination: Easton Roy. I am not, and never was, fit to lace your boots.
Editor's note: If you need inspiration, .
The best golden oldie may win a prize. But we'll need proof!
Wales 27-18 England
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Props in their fifties are not that uncommon. We once played a front row at my club (the Old Streetonians in London) with a combined age of over 140. I think the ages were 53, 50 and 45.
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Kenny McGregor at is 50 and still plays Prop for the 1XV.
Both Eddie Henderson (centre) and Nos Macleod (prop) have turned out for the 1XV this season. They are 50+.
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We have a hooker and second row well in their forties who are actively playing (and even occasionally training). For a couple of club games last year we were short in the front row and drafted a fifty-something prop out of semi-retirement (he only plays golden oldies now). He played very well and looked fit - better than his son who was playing wing-forward in the same games.
The golden oldies movement (over 35) is giving many a reason to stay on - at least training well in to their thirties. That said, I reckon most professional players wont make it too far past 30/31, apart from the odd front row . The attritional nature of the modern game will ensure this.
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The venerable Fred Robinson, captain of our Law Society 3rd XV in Surrey Conference 1 is still playing week in week out at scrum half.....at the ripe old age of 56
Think I might be dropped now mind you!
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Cambuslang 3rds regularly feature a Winger who I believe is 63 this season (occaisonally he refs as well and wouldn't we rather he played).
We also sometimes feature a Prop of a similar vintage.
This same team features several players in the 50s range and now has a few Father and son combinations.
Sticking with the same club The president and Jimmy Stevenson has turned out as front row cover for the ones at Prem III level, surely he is no spring chicken
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The venerable Fred Robinson, captain of our Law Society 3rd XV in Surrey Conference 1 is still playing week in week out at scrum half.....at the ripe old age of 56
Think I might be dropped now mind you!
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The oldest player I ever came across is Ron Hansford, who was still turning out for Burgess Hill 3rds or 4ths when he was in his 71st year. He was happy to play at hooker, wing or anywhere else for that matter, just so long as he could bet a game!
Mind you, he always was a tough little so-and-so; although a New Zealander by birth, he served in the RAF in the 2nd World War, was shot down and imprisoned, but escaped via Russia and got back to England before the end of the war to have another go!
He's still around, well into his 80's now, and is still fanatical about his rugby. He supports the All Blacks over England unfortunately whenever they clash but otherwise has a deep loyalty to both sides.
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Front row in their 50's is not uncommon. Leith Rugby fielded John Murphy (60), John McMaster (55) and Ian Polson (48) [the youngster] in a league match against Forrester a ew years back . The rest of the pack weren't exactly young sapplings either - Tam Bennett (39), Keith Aitchison (33)and Craig Wishart (ageless).
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Front row in their 50's is not uncommon. Leith Rugby fielded John Murphy (60), John McMaster (55) and Ian Polson (48) [the youngster] in a league match against Forrester a ew years back . The rest of the pack weren't exactly young sapplings either - Tam Bennett (39), Keith Aitchison (33)and Craig Wishart (ageless).
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I would just like to mention the great Peter King of Hertford Rugby Club who played his last game at hooker in his 50th year.
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I played last season (at hooker) and, god forbid scored a try. Threw the ball to our inside centre who duly converted. We had 103 years between us. That's got to be some sort of record
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Two regular players for Barkers Butts tanners in Coventry are over 60, although competition for places means they normally only play a half each.
A few years ago I played against a scrum-half of 63, at Kersley RFC, who was warned by the ref for elbowing me in the face at the first put-in!
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There is a retired Headmaster of 70 who still turns out regardless of weather or strength of opposition for Pershore (N. Mids) 3rds. He's not a Doris in the backs but a hardworking lock who never flinches from the challenge. Last year the Telegraph ran a small article on him and his 2nd row partner who was 71 as the oldest 2nd row partnership in the country and presented them with a bottle of bubbly.
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In our Club (Kesteven) in Lincolnshire, we regularly have a couple of players 50+ both of these have played first team on several occasions this season, in the second team this Saturday the half back pairing were a combined age of 100+ and one of the props was 50+, I myself am 37 years young.
There does seem to be a lack of younger men playing at the moment.
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Ken Light played at Southend RFC well into his 70's. It was only a few years ago when his son and grandson came over from abroad (I think it was New Zealand???) and played in Ken's testimonial.
Furthermore, Southend's vets team, The Cardinals, have been an absolute success over the last 10 years. Made up of ex-Eastern Counties and London Schools players they gave many a first team an hammering. Believe me, that was NOT c**p rugger.
JB (27 yrs)
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Is that the Eddie Henderson, did he play for Gala a while ago too?
JB
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Anyone play Golden Oldies rugby?
Designed for the those 35+, distinctive to Golden Oldies rugby is that no score is kept during games, so each game ends as a draw.
Golden Oldies rugby also employs a coloured shorts system, which denotes the ability and age of the players. Red shorts mean the player can be claimed but not tackled, gold shorts mean the player cannot be tackled and those aged 70 – 79 wear purple shorts, which mean the player cannot be tackled or touched. The much-celebrated players who are 80+ are awarded special committee shorts.
I've not played since school days and expend enough energy watching Bath at The Rec - but I'd take up the game again if I could get hold of a pair of purple shorts, albeit 40 years early!
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Anyone play Golden Oldies rugby?
Designed for the those 35+, distinctive to Golden Oldies rugby is that no score is kept during games, so each game ends as a draw.
Golden Oldies rugby also employs a coloured shorts system, which denotes the ability and age of the players. Red shorts mean the player can be claimed but not tackled, gold shorts mean the player cannot be tackled and those aged 70 – 79 wear purple shorts, which mean the player cannot be tackled or touched. The much-celebrated players who are 80+ are awarded special committee shorts.
I've not played since school days and expend enough energy watching Bath at The Rec - but I'd take up the game again if I could get hold of a pair of purple shorts, albeit 40 years early!
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I don't know if he is still playing but a few years ago Rugby Special on the 91Èȱ¬ covered 'The Oldest Team in Britain' Egor RFC. They had a player named Des Pastore playing and he was 90 then so if he is still playing he is 92 now. That must be a record.
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When I played my first game of senior rugby for my local club at the age of 15 (Leamington RUFC) it was for the 5th team, upon my return home my dad asked if there was anyone in the team he would know from his playing days and as it turned out the Hooker a man called Norman David who I think would of been about 62 at the time had also been playing in my Dads first game of Rugby for Leamington some 30 years earlier.
Norman carried on for a nother couple of years eventually retiring when he was pushing 65.
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I live in Japan, coach a rugby team at the high school that I work at (where I teach English - check my URL for more info!) - and my students have told me about 'Morita-san'.
I have to admit I do think it's wonderful that age doesn't have to be a barrier to taking part in sports. What I've noticed since I've been here, is the incredible amount of support that pretty much all levels of rugby get. I mean - some high school games are televised and we can have no problem attracting up to 2000 people. And don't get me started on the university games!! It's nice to see it's the same, the older you get.
So if ever my students are complaining about anything we do in practise, I remind them now of Morita-san, who ironically they told me about. Would Morita-san be complaining - no - he would say 'Ganbarimasu' -- "I'll do my best." - which typifies the Japanese spirit.
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I live in Japan, coach a rugby team at the high school that I work at (where I teach English - check my URL for more info!) - and my students have told me about 'Morita-san'.
I have to admit I do think it's wonderful that age doesn't have to be a barrier to taking part in sports. What I've noticed since I've been here, is the incredible amount of support that pretty much all levels of rugby get. I mean - some high school games are televised and we can have no problem attracting up to 2000 people. And don't get me started on the university games!! It's nice to see it's the same, the older you get.
So if ever my students are complaining about anything we do in practise, I remind them now of Morita-san, who ironically they told me about. Would Morita-san be complaining - no - he would say 'Ganbarimasu' -- "I'll do my best." - which typifies the Japanese spirit.
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Sorry guys, our club hooker is still doing the business week in and week out and she is 82
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Sorry guys, our club hooker is still doing the business week in and week out and she is 82
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53 here and still playing Divison 3 in Boston Ma USA for the Boston irish Wolfhounds. 6 years ago, I had the great thrill of playing with my father, age 70, and my son age 15 at the time. My father was a hooker and has since passed on. My son and I go on playing and awaiting my youngest son (age 14) to join us!
Play on!
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53 here and still playing Divison 3 in Boston Ma USA for the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. 6 years ago, I had the great thrill of playing with my father, age 70, and my son age 15 at the time. My father was a hooker and has since passed on. My son and I go on playing and awaiting my youngest son (age 14) to join us!
Play on!
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53 here and still playing Divison 3 in Boston Ma USA for the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. 6 years ago, I had the great thrill of playing with my father, age 70, and my son age 15 at the time. My father was a hooker and has since passed on. My son and I go on playing and awaiting my youngest son (age 14) to join us!
Play on!
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53 here and still playing Divison 3 in Boston Ma USA for the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. 6 years ago, I had the great thrill of playing with my father, age 70, and my son age 15 at the time. My father was a hooker and has since passed on. My son and I go on playing and awaiting my youngest son (age 14) to join us!
Play on!
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I have played rugby for Melbourne inDerbyshire with a prop called Roger Lucas who is estimated to be over 55 years old and still plays any type of rugby you throw at him. He is a farmer and built like teak.
A decade ago, he was responsible for one of the funniest things I have ever seen on a pitch when he came on as a sub in a friendly. He was playing prop and before the ball wa put in, their prop unwisely took a swing at him. Roger responded and both props were sent off. Roger was sent off without the ball being in play, is this a record??
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A am afraid their is only one winner here, Roy Evans, already known to be "the man", 1000 games for Osterly etc, and I was proud to know him at Banbury where he finished up, I was told he died helping an old dear dig their garden. He was 76 at the time.
Go to this link to see the legend.
www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFU91Èȱ¬.Touchline_Detail/storyId/4499
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A am afraid their is only one winner here, Roy Evans, already known to be "the man", 1000 games for Osterly etc, and I was proud to know him at Banbury where he finished up, I was told he died helping an old dear dig their garden. He was 76 at the time.
Go to this link to see the legend.
www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFU91Èȱ¬.Touchline_Detail/storyId/4499
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A am afraid their is only one winner here, Roy Evans, already known to be "the man", 1000 games for Osterly etc, and I was proud to know him at Banbury where he finished up, I was told he died helping an old dear dig their garden. He was 76 at the time.
Go to this link to see the legend.
www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFU91Èȱ¬.Touchline_Detail/storyId/4499
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Golden Oldies? Over 35?
God Forbid, I'm 38 and playing centre in competetive rugby alongside some lads in their forties, in fact two of them celebrate their 50th in August, and as for crap rugby, we have won promotion twice in the last two years. I would also say i'm playing better now than I was in my 20's, I'm more tactically astute, and therefore don't need to be as fit. That said, I think i'm still as fit as some in their 20's.
Our Vets side also includes players in their late 30's and 40's, they have also been promoted two years running and are looking for a 3rd promotion.
Age is irrelevant as long as mind and body are still active.
I don't intend to be playing Golden Oldies Rugby until i'm in my 50's
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Golden Oldies? Over 35?
God Forbid, I'm 38 and playing centre in competetive rugby alongside some lads in their forties, in fact two of them celebrate their 50th in August, and as for crap rugby, we have won promotion twice in the last two years. I would also say i'm playing better now than I was in my 20's, I'm more tactically astute, and therefore don't need to be as fit. That said, I think i'm still as fit as some in their 20's.
Our Vets side also includes players in their late 30's and 40's, they have also been promoted two years running and are looking for a 3rd promotion.
Age is irrelevant as long as mind and body are still active.
I don't intend to be playing Golden Oldies Rugby until i'm in my 50's
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Six years ago a certain JPR Williams aged mid-fifties played for a World selection against Bahrain in the middle East, he was accompanied by a gentleman called Ian Stephens who played 3 Lions tours and was possibly a year or two older. JPR played flanker and was still as hard as nails. I imagine he is still at it! iving up at 29, are you sure you are not English???
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Six years ago a certain JPR Williams aged mid-fifties played for a World selection against Bahrain in the middle East, he was accompanied by a gentleman called Ian Stephens who played 3 Lions tours and was a year or two older. JPR played flanker and was still as hard as nails. I imagine he is still at it! Giving up at 29, are you sure you are not English???
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@Is that the Eddie Henderson, did he play for Gala a while ago too?
Sure is, he is Coach of Portobello this season. During our away game at St Boswell's he filled in as a replacement (centre), converting our final try, scoring a conversion at the ripe old age of 56. I am his son Ed Henderson (Captain).
Its a bit scary watching your bright red, half blind, fifty year old Dad coming onto the pitch, Mum frequently reminds him he is too old for it and one of these days...
I reckon he is holding out so he can play with his Grandson (Jack) as well (currently age 2) :-)
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John i seem to remember you turning up at a trial at murrayfield with odd boots on, maybe you did retire at the right age as it appears senility was setting in at an early age!!!!
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John i seem to remember you turning up at a trial at murrayfield with odd boots on, maybe you did retire at the right age as it appears senility was setting in at an early age!!!!
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John i seem to remember you turning up at a trial at murrayfield with odd boots on, maybe you did retire at the right age as it appears senility was setting in at an early age!!!!
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Turned up at a trial with odd boots on once, yup, and then once with boots two sizes small by mistake and limped around. Still made the team though!
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Great to hear about the golden oldies, and we always hear about dads and sons but I started playing last season at 45 and now play on the same team as my daughter who is 16 and i'm not to be called Mum on the pitch! If you want to play just do it no matter what age
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Played my last game in the back row for North Shields 3rd XV (north tyneside) at 51.Left behind Arnie Wilson still playing 2nd XV front row at 57?I'm now 57 and looking for Golen Oldie rugby in NE England. Any suggestions?
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