Billy Williamson died in
December of 1980. He had been Chairman of the club for a record thirteen
years from 1946 to 1959. He had played a large part in maintaining continuity
during the war years enabling us to resume so quickly when they were over.
Coach journeys were often enlivened by a supply of his jungle juice.
We were lucky to have the
eloquent Hadyn Samuel as our Press Secretary and marvelled at his quotes from
Oscar Wilde, Bertrand Russell and references to Caligula, who I think played
for Kings Norton.
A Dinner Dance was held at the
Manor Hotel in Meriden the first since our Golden Anniversary celebrations.
Robin Sadler, a regular in the
Coventry First XV, became the second OY to play for North Midlands. He played
eleven times in all including the 1981 County Final against Lancashire. Rob
returned to the club, recently adding his expertise to the Vets side before
retiring with a recurring shoulder injury.
Fifteen-a-Side Knockout
A fifteen minutes per game,
15-a-side competition was organised by Bert Black in August of 1980. Eight
clubs entered on a league / knockout basis. Old Yardleians emerged as
tournament winners which was just as well as it saved the 200 first prize
money. The event proved popular and still continues today as a valuable
pre-season warm-up session for ourselves and other clubs.
In the same month a letter was
received from Peter Grace regarding the formation of a Midshires Merit Table
sponsored by BRMB.