Those who had met at the Spread Eagle in Gloucester on 15 September 1873 could not have envisaged the outcome one hundred years later. Mr J.P. Riddiford the Hon Secretary, Frank Hartley, and the 45 gentlemen who joined, set a wheel in motion. Our thanks will be everlasting.
The Club was able to reflect upon the fact that at that stage in its Club history it had produced a total of 26 players who had represented England. During this 25-year period the following players had worn the red rose with undoubted pride.
Alan Brinn, Michael Burton, Peter Butler, Peter Ford, George Hastings, William Hook, Peter Kingston, Donald Rutherford and Kenneth Wilson.
As a servant to the well being of Gloucester Rugby Football Club the name of Peter Ford will compare to many of his predecessors in the playing and administrative roles that they have contributed to the Club’s welfare.
As a player, captain, chairman of Selectors, club chairman and now president Ford has served well. More than 500 appearances for the Club, more than 50 appearances for Gloucestershire, and capped by England at the age of 32 years! Few if any have given more to the cause then Alcock, Hudson, Voyce and Peter Ford.
This period in the Club’s history produced one of the most colourful characters to have represented the Club – Michael Burton. Capped by England in January 1972, he went onto play for his country in a total of 17 Internationals. Michael became the first player to be sent off playing for England in the tour of Australia in 1975.
This period saw the disappearance from the club’s fixture list of Old Merchant Taylors and the University Athletic Union. These were statutory Yuletide fixtures when sport was played on Christmas and Boxing Day – welcome fare for all who made the annual pilgrimage to Kingsholm.
The squad members of the inaugural winners of the National Knock-Out Competition will be remembered in the Club’s history for posterity.
Alan Brinn, Mike Burton, John Bayliss, Mickey Booth, Robin Cowling, Bob Clewes, John Dix, Ron Etheridge, Jerry Herniman, Nigel Jackson, John Haines, Jim Jarrett, Richard Jardine, Roy Morris, Mike Nicholls, Dave Owen, Mike Bayliss, Mike Potter, Mike Burton, Tom Palmer, Richard Smith, Eric Stephens, John Watkins and Roy White.
