Rugby New Clifton president ‘honoured’ to take up the post

IT’S a changing of the guard at Clifton Rugby Club as John Raine passes on the post of president to Richard Clifton after giving outstanding service over 14 years, including travelling thousands of miles across the country following the team to away fixtures.

John joined the club in 1966 as a promising young prop forward and quickly found himself thrust into the 1st XV to face Bristol at the Memorial Ground.

He remembers a drawn game against Gloucester and a Boxing Day victory at Bath. His favourite memory was a narrow defeat to Sale in the national John Player Cup competition, and other memories include being in one of the first teams to tour the USA and eventually touring overseas with Clifton RATS XV.

John said: “It has been a profound privilege and honour to serve Clifton as president for 14 years, and since joining I’ve seen changes, including the launching of the successful mini and junior section and the move to Cribbs Causeway with enhanced facilities and more pitches.”

Richard lived near the old Eastfield Road ground in Westbury, and as a small boy used to “help” the groundsman on Saturday mornings before, as a 12-year-old, becoming the 1st XV touch judge to the intrigue of referees. As a teenager, he experienced club tours to

Bordeaux and Milan before pulling his boots on and getting on the pitch.

Time away from Bristol brought him back to live a short walk from the “new” set-up at Cribbs Causeway where he soon integrated himself into club roles, including trusteeship.

John and Richard share strong memories of past highlights, including the club appearing in the high-scoring final of the Rugby Football Union’s Intermediate Cup at Twickenham, and a play-off winning game at Richmond which moved the club into the national leagues.

Richard said: “It is an honour to be elected as president of this great rugby club. My association is lifelong”

League action kicks off with an away match at Exeter University on September 7. There are a number of pre-season matches at Cribbs Causeway.

On August 17 at noon, a memorial game in aid of the PROPS charity will see a Clifton Invitational XV versus PROPS Barbarians to remember former club character and sponsor Neil Maddocks, followed by Clifton 1st XV versus Narbeth from West Wales at 3pm.

On August 22, Clifton will play Dings Crusaders at 7.30pm.

On August 31, Clifton will take on Ebbw Vale at 3pm.