The First Match at Tilehouse Lane

In September of 1965 the first home fixture was contested with players literally getting down from the scaffolding to turn out.  Old Saltleians winning a close match.  The task of building not only gave the club a sense of purpose but showed the true comradeship associated with the rugby community.  This was one of the wettest seasons in memory and our opponents, who were advised to turn up in old clothes and gumboots, laughed and joked as they queued to get into one of the four metal dustbins set out for players to wash in.  Water heating had not yet been installed so Jim Steele had rigged up a calor gas geyser to supply hot water to the dustbins.

The club received a 2,000 loan from the R.F.U and Les  Cox finally succeeded in his battle with the Birmingham Estates Department when they offered 950 for the pavilion at Windermere Road. The committee made formal thanks to Arnold Lancaster for his help and guidance in these negotiations.

Work continued at weekends on the clubroom, bar and kitchen. Eddie Hartwell installed the electrics and in August of 1966 the building work was completed. Decorating was done, a telephone installed and a one arm bandit acquired.

However, there was a problem as the need to obtain a bar licence had been overlooked.

On 27th of August 1966 a new constitution conforming to the Rules of a Members Club was adopted.  The new premises built at a cost of a little over 5,000  had taken two years of hard work and completely dominated the lives of those involved.

 

The First Function and Opening Ceremony

The first function in the clubroom was held on Saturday the 3rd of September 1966.  The turnout was overwhelming. Not having a licence, the sale of drink was sublet to a firm of caterers who grossly underestimated the OYs drinking capacity and the beer ran out in the early evening.  Entertainment was provided by a rock group with occasional songs by Ian Campbell and his Folk Group.

The official opening occurred on the 12th November 1966 with Fred Souster, President of the North Midlands, unveiling a commemorative plaque in the clubroom.  Old Ys then took the field against a ex-COBs XV, losing narrowly 11-14.  In the post match celebrations, Les Cox entertained the guests with a speech and made presentations to Lance Coles and his wife - our grounds man and caretaker at Windermere Road, George Jephcott and Dave Collen.  Bob Broad presented a trophy to be played for annually between The Old Crocks and Yardley School.