The President of our rugby club is an honorary position and the highest accolade we can bestow on a member of the club. Your Executive Committee formerly ratified John's appointment at our recent committee meeting. John was appointed to Vice-President last season which was unanimously endorsed at our AGM. At Billingahm RUFC, the presidency is a life position and one that is not bestowed often and not without due consideration.

In the case of John, he was the obvious candidate. He has served the club in many ways over the years including Club Secretary, Projects Director and of course providing the club along with his wife Carole 2 sons for our first XV. John has also served as League Secretary and serves in the Durham County Discipinary panel.

If there was a need for further confirmation of his credentials, then this came in the form of our former President, Ian Brown. I had discussed with Ian his presidency in depth over the last season as he knew that we had to plan for succession. Whilst I was skirting around the issue of succession, Ian in his calm but yet insightful way, came straight to the point and told me I needed to plan for John to succeed him. In my mind there can be no bigger endorsement of John's appointment.

As we move forward into a new era with a new President, please join me in congratulating John.

Mark Armstrong
Chairman, Billingham RUFC