Year-long wait for Macc games
RUGBY UNION BOB JENNER
THOSE that have driven past Priory Park during the past 12 months will recognise that this photo is not stage managed; it is a snapshot in time, a time when rugby was about to be played at Priory Park.
The notice board at the time was advertising the next fixture, versus Wirral, the game became the first victim of the pandemic for Macclesfield, as several of the Wirral squad had contracted or been in contact with those that had contracted Covid-19.
The game was postponed, but just one week later the North Premier League season was put to bed and never resurrected.
Following the recent Government announcements we now eagerly await the return of this and other full-contact games of rugby.
Rather further back in time, 1942 actually, the country was in a similar ‘lockdown’ but this time as a response to global conflict of World War 2.
In Macclesfield, as elsewhere, there was no scheduled rugby being played, and hadn’t been played for two years, but still, as now, a need for people to entertain themselves, keep fit and stay strong, and to provide relief from the stresses of wartime.
So, on the 21st March 1942 a Macclesfield XV played a XV representing the 81stRegiment Royal Artillery.
I have written about this game previously because it is/was one of the few times that Rugby Football was played at the Moss Rose.
The game featured several notable personalities in Macclesfield Rugby history, plus an Argentine international.
Macclesfield’s Captain that day was G.P.Siggins (brother of W Siggins, one of the ‘Originals’ who had reformed the Club back in 1926).
Siggins was the first captain of a Macclesfield second team. Interestingly, the match-day programme featured the forwards as two rows of four, one wonders if they actually played that way or was it the printer’s lack of rugby know-how?
Accompanying ‘G.P’ in the front row was AA Arnold who had joined the Club in 1937 when he was a member of the Kings School staff.
And to complete the Kings School connection their scrum half, S Taylor, was a studying Kings School boy.
All three would serve the Club for many years on-and-off the pitch, but it is unknown if any were as old as the Club President, Peter Harper, when they first wheedled their way into this game of rugby.
But the real kudos was the referee that day; a Dr. AC Gilles, ‘ Sandy’ Gilles was a Macclesfield player and their first full capped international, having played for Scotland 12 times, including helping them to win their first ever Grand Slam in 1925.
Possibly due to work commitments Sandy, who was a medical doctor, joined Macclesfield in 1929 and never had the opportunity to play for Scotland whilst registered with Macclesfield.
Fast forward to the 10thMarch 1962, when the first team played their first drawn game in over two years, against Toc H.
This was one of the few playing hiccups that season as the team enjoyed a successful first full season at their new facilities in Tytherington.
That March the Club had beaten a touring Metropolitan Police side and Cheadle Hulme before losing to Old Sandbachians.
They continued to give schoolboys debuts, notably from Wilmslow GS a young Davenport, who would later play for Sandbach and Norman Galley who would later play piano at the Club’s Annual Carol Service at the Bulls Head, Kerridge.
Whilst Kings School pupils remained to the fore, notably Mike Welch, whose brother Peter had been a key member of the Committee that got the Club going again after the Second World War and also no-less-than the quick-silver David Miller who would go on to teach Philip ‘Nemmy’ Jones everything Nemmy ever knew about wing play.
It was must have been a lot of knowledge because 10 years later (March 1972) the same Philip Jones scored 29 points for the second team against Crewe.
So March, a month when clocks go forward and old players start to brush down equally old boots, in the hope of a return to equally old playing successes be that in a pick-up game, a second team fixture at Crewe or just a friendly against a bunch of touring ‘ Rozzers’......oh what wouldn’t we give for that now?
Bob continues to unearth historical gems, and who knows March 2021 may gain a small entry in Macclesfield Rugby Club’s history, as from Monday March 29th rugby returns to Priory Park with the first step to the game we have not been able to enjoy for 12 months.
Hot off the press from the Chairman’s pen are the latest developments at Priory Park.
Chairman Stephen Branch confirmed that along with the Government’s guidelines, and subject to no changes to their roadmap, The Sin Bin bar will reopen on Tuesday 13th April.
As previously the rule of six, at tables will apply and we ask members, to respect all of the protocols displayed at Priory Park and to look after their own safety.
Stephen has reported on changes that have and are taking place to further develop the Priory Park facility both for the outdoor area and the Clubhouse building.
Since December the Club has invested in a converted 40ft container to replace the existing temporary structure along the far side of the Sin Bin bar. General Manager, Andy Appleyard has a vision to make the Sin Bin outdoor area the best in the Rugby community and one that can be enjoyed by all the attendees at the forthcoming planned events.
Laid decking behind the Sin Bin Bar that faces the main pitch is one of the new developments – a hot-spot when we’re back to league rugby.
The Roustabouts volunteering group have very kindly donated and sourced more furniture for the area (barrel tables and stools).
The aim is to open up the Sin Bin bar weekday evenings Tuesday to Friday and during the day on Saturday and Sunday, depending on demand; with Thursday, Club night, socials resuming properly from the 15th April.
Besides the outdoor facility Stephen reported on activities in the main building: “As we look forward to being able to open the Spiral Lounge and the Priory Suite, the Club is investing in a rebuild of the Priory Suite bar.
The design and build will be carried out by Pete Sampson and ‘Scissorwood’ with additional support from Chris Simpson for electrics, Danny Avery, building and Rick Jones for plumbing.
This investment is made possible by the generosity of Club members, with their money, time, skills and materials, and by the active participation of the wider membership and supporters of the Club on and off the field of play.”
Stephen went on to say that members could support these projects by being part of the ‘One Club Draw’ full details of which are on the website.
Besides the Rugby Club’s planned tournaments during the summer months Stephen reported that it is looking forward to hosting the Macclesfield Family Festival again on the 17th July: “Rugby Club members who buy a standard ticket will benefit from VIP status entitling them to access to the Priory Suite and Sin Bin Bar on the day.
Later in the summer, on the 7th August, a Comedy Festival is planned at the Club, this promises to be great fun for families during the day and adults only in the evening.
Of course, all of these activities on and off the pitch are subject to the Government guidelines which could still change, but we have to be excited and optimistic for the summer and in looking forward to a full season of league rugby from early September.”