Mike Brown messaged me to reflect on my role as skipper back in the day . This is not a simple question to answer as it took place so long ago much blurred by Social Shenanigans. Further to that it made a huge difference to my life and relationship with a club that has always had the best interests of its players and supporters at heart – So began a journey and in some small way I hope I contributed. The club has always been a big part of my life since I entered its various different doors back in the day when we were pretty much nomadic but quite clearly there was a steely determination for the club to remain a ‘Rugby Club’ for us to do things on our own and if people wanted to come along and support playing or otherwise they were more than welcome.
I joined the club in 1988/89, I had just recently moved to Billingham and found my local was the ‘Station’. I already knew a few faces from Billingham Rugby Club and was quickly found myself in the position of offering my services. Possibly Shaun Rowden or Niall Taylor buying my services for a pint – A colossal signing on fee in those days so the deal was set.

The first year went by and in the 90/91 season I was asked to skipper the side . I vaguely remember we won and lost the same amount of games that season and got beat by Seaham in the County Cup Junior Final. It was a great feeling being asked to skipper the side and we began to play some rugby that developed into the fast open rugby that todays’ first team make a reasonable attempt to copy – Clearly the kids who had to endure watching the team play learnt something and went onto become the fantastic players that we have today.

There are far too many games to remember that were super enjoyable and so many players that wore the Billingham shirt it really would be unfair to single out a few but all contributed and all put 100% into the game and into the rapidly developing junior and senior sections . All our County Junior winning finals were great and league promotions and beating Seghill was always a joy.

It was during this time that quite a few clubs in the area started looking over their shoulders and playing Billingham was not going to be straight forward you were going to be in for a tough game and Billingham started to develop that capability of doing the ‘unexpected’ on the pitch.
So as I said players came and went but more stayed and the future although not fully clear was becoming more certain. A new clubhouse a new set of players embracing the attacking style of play and denying the forwards the desire to roll around in the mud became the way forward. Eventually the club would even take the mud away.(Got to have a dig at the forwards!)
So looking back on my time as Skipper – Yes I have fond memories but so much more after that. Far too many social memories – Every game was one to be honest. The club is and always will be a social gathering .

What does the club mean to me – Recently as most are aware I was quite unwell and the club did a fundraiser for MacMillian when we played Sandal.
An astonishing game in itself but the way we came back to win was amazing that day (but I think all knew that we would win even against those odds)the fact that the club was so generous to both myself and my family that day reflects the very nature of the club- I literally was speechless, that does take some doing! – Enough said!

So what of today’s young players – Well they have my complete admiration, they are brave and skilful and play a brand of Rugby that is fantastic to watch.

They are always willing to listen and take advice and clearly enjoy a pint or two. Like all old buggers we have a right to pass on our words of wisdom – at least they are polite enough to listen (I think!) afterall we never dropped a ball or missed a tackle!

They are a tremendous group of lads not shaped by one or two ex players but by hundreds. They are a credit to themselves and their club. The future is in good hands.

In my opinion Billingham is and always will be ‘Primus Inter Pores’
Yours in Rugby
Chris Rea

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