MATT FINISH
Giant back Banahan on calling it quits after 12 years in Bath
BEFORE he could consider his own party, Matt Banahan was hurriedly arranging one for his son Joseph’s birthday at the family home.
Only when the hordes of children had had their fun would Banahan’s focus shift to today’s farewell event at The Rec, which will attract a full house of well-wishers.
The giant wing has already been granted a send- off by Bath’s supporters, after 12 years of loyal service. It was an occasion when his dignity was not spared. ‘ My mum chucked me under the bus with stories from the age of about three, with pictures,’ he said. ‘It was worse than a best man’s speech — far more ruthless.’
Another tale that was recounted at the gathering to acclaim a club legend was the one about Banahan which rapidly went into local rugby folklore, due to the presence of incriminating footage. It was from his days as an aspiring lock, playing for his native Jersey against Channel Island rivals Guernsey, when he ran off grinning after being red-carded for repeatedly punching an opponent.
‘I came on with 22 minutes to go, I went into a ruck and this guy punched me but I got yellow carded,’ he said. ‘I hadn’t even touched the ball. I was running off and my dad said he would give me a significant amount of money if I didn’t fight. I came back on, there was a lineout and the same guy punched my mate. I thought, “Sod the money” and went Hail Mary on him.’
Banahan, who is 6ft 7in and weighs 17st 5lb, recently posted a picture on social media which summed up his versatile value to Bath: with all the family wearing his shirts from this season — numbered 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. He has played with distinction across the back line and even briefly in the pack. There were a couple of cameos at blindside flanker and a 45- second stint at scrum-half which left him in awe of their fitness levels.
But his status as a cult hero has been reinforced by his engaging character. He embraces and accepts attention and criticism as integral elements of a job he cherishes. It once took him 90 minutes after a game to walk back from his car to the changing room, in full kit, because he would stop for everyone who requested a picture or autograph. He even chats to fans during matches.
‘ I do it every week,’ he said. ‘Someone will ask, “Why did we kick that away?” so I will tell them it is a game of chess. You try to give them a bit of insight as you go along. Sometimes it is humour from them if I drop the ball, which happens a lot! It creates that connection. I can’t really talk to them when I am in the centres because I am too far away and too tired!’
No matter which position he is operating in, Banahan is quite content to be pigeon-holed as a big man who runs hard and straight, but there is much more to his repertoire than that. Over the years he has added layers of awareness and subtlety, to go with the physicality. Some of his leaping, off-loading, try- scoring exploits this season would grace any highlights-reel package.
Throughout his dozen years at Bath, he has not needed surgery once. So what is the secret? ‘It could be down to luck or genetics,’ he said. ‘I’m very old school. I am not a stickler with my diet. I drink too many fizzy drinks and I eat sweets. I go to Nando’s every Wednesday. But I haven’t drunk much alcohol since the 2011 World Cup. I think that’s a big thing for me.’
There will be a few drinks this evening, though — starting with the post-match plan to find his children Isabella, Joseph and Lola, and reflect on an emotionally- charged occasion over a pint of cider. Sadly, his parents cannot make it from Jersey for the send- off and wife Rebecca is missing it, too, due to prior plans — a hen do for club captain Matt Garvey’s fiancee.
For a while, Bath’s willingness to cut him loose stung but he has come to terms with it. Asked if there was still sadness about his impending departure, he said: ‘It’s very minimal now. I’ve had a blast. I have so many good memories that even this year I don’t have to look back with any spite or bitterness.’
This afternoon, Banahan will wear No 13 again, against London Irish, before his summer move to Gloucester. Lining up in midfield means the fans who adore him will not hear so much from him on his final appearance, but they will see him running hard and straight, leaping, off-loading, maybe even scoring and certainly smiling.