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Marlow RUFC: Harry’s Socks Presentation
John Watson's Tribute Good
Afternoon everyone.
Firstly, I would like to welcome all of our special guests here
today. We have of course Harry’s family, Richard and Judi, George,
Jenny and Marie. Also a special welcome to Richard’s Mum and Dad
We also have Mark Foster Youth Director from Newbury Rugby Club.
Welcome. More of them later.
I am also delighted that we are joined by Peter trunkfield, Former
President of the RFU, our Chairman, Gwyn Stone, our Youth Chairman
Debbie Loveday and our Mini’s Chairman Mike Simmonds. Welcome.
We are here today for two purposes, both of course in memory of
Harry and both of course to ensure that we continue to remember
Harry.
Firstly, we will discuss socks and then we will unveil a photograph
of Harry as a lasting memory to him in the Clubhouse.
At the start of this season we ran a small U13s tournament. We ran
the tournament in Harry’s memory and invited Clubs that we were
friendly with. Newbury came along and of course they won all of the
trophies – and these were presented to Newbury by Richard and Judi.
Newbury were also very generous. They had collected £400 at their
Club and brought it as a donation to Harry’s charities. A very kind
and generous donation that touched many of us. Thank you.
At that time, we were also seeking to create a lasting tribute to
Harry. Graeme Kempson reminded us that Harry always wore a unique
pair of socks – the traditional Black and White hoops. I believe
that they were hand-me-downs from George. Seeing these socks always
reminded Graeme of Harry. So, with Richard and Judi’s permission, we
used the £400 to purchase socks with Harry’s initials on the back
and our age group will always wear these socks throughout our time
at Marlow, in memory of Harry. The sales of the socks to our age
group and to anyone else who wishes to buy a pair, will ensure that
Newbury’s initial investment will be paid to Harry’s charities plus
a healthy surplus will be added.
Today, we wore Harry’s socks for the first time – and won!. It was a
moving moment to pull on these socks. Every time we play a game, as
we pull on our socks we will think of Harry. And if anyone asks
who’s HM, we can explain that he was the best player in the Under
12’s: he was very fast, had great vision and skills, but most of all
was so full of fun to be with and always enjoyed the game.
So, thank you Newbury. Also I would like to thank Graeme Kempson and
David and Helen Walker for all their hard work in having the socks
made and also making the photograph of Harry for hanging in the
Club.
What I would like to do now is ask Richard and Judi to kindly give a
pair of socks to to mark Foster from Newbury and then unveil the
photograph.
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