Financially we were again struggling with repairs needed to the clubhouse. Accounts for the 1973 season recorded a reduced bar turnover of 4,900 and an overall loss of 74.  Les Young became Club President.  The three day week in 1974 caused the end of our Fourth XV.  Over 50% of games were won in the 1974-75 season  including a match against Greater Birmingham under 23s.  Hadyn Samuel had formed a successful Colts under 19s side, although transport was always a problem.

The Easter break of 1975 was spent on the windswept beaches of Whitley Bay.  The coach broke down on the way there and we arrived at the hotel late in the evening to find they had stopped serving food. Young Dickie Williams and Pembo started the tradition of liaison with the local constabulary whilst on tour.  Feeling hungry, they left the hotel to find some chips.  All to no avail they returned to find the door locked.  Asking a policeman for help they were incarcerated in a cell as vagrants to be released in the early hours of next morning without even a cup of tea.

 

Les Youngs Retirement.

On the 3rd of July 1976, Old Yardleians from all over the country turned up to a Cheese and Wine party to mark the retirement of Les Young from Yardley School.  On this most memorable occasion, Les was presented with a silver salver and tankard by Reg Singer as a token of the clubs appreciation and good wishes in his retirement.

Les was replaced as President of the club by Mr. D.Wilford

Bert Black promoted a new fund raising idea of a one-off 200 Club draw to run at Christmas alongside the traditional raffle and the weekly 100 Club which was still making a profit.  These events were very necessary as the running costs of the club rose to 4,000 per annum by the end of 1976.

 

Golden Jubilee

With Chris Watts as Club Captain the Golden Jubilee season commenced with a very full fixture list including games against Greater Birmingham, COBs, and a Presidents XV.  A strong GB side beat us 20-9 with two scores late in the match. Similarly COBs  won by 13-9, but we managed to beat the Presidents XV 19-12.  The Easter Tour was to Torquay beating Wellington and Honiton but losing out to Sidmouth Quins.  The season finished successfully with twenty-seven wins from forty-three matches.  Tom Power scored 245 of the First XVs 636 points beating Bill Crinians forty-four year old record.

The Jubilee Dinner held in the St. Johns Hotel in Solihull on the 24th of September  was attended by one hundred and twenty-six people.  Speeches were made by Les Cox and Cyril Hayward to mark the occasion.  Colin Thompson donated a new Jubilee Cup to be awarded annually to a member whom the Club Committee decided most worthy.  The first winner was Tom Power.  Ron King and Dave Collen were made Life Members for their excellent service to the club.