History Page

AS RECALLED BY FOUNDER MEMBER ROLAND PRESDEE

One day in 1936, two young men walked out of the gates of Central School, Derby Road for the last time as pupils. Like most young people, their heads were full of ideas for the future. Our story tells of just one of those ideas, and how it came to fruition.

They had been inspired as sportsmen by their sports master, a hard but charismatic former Army Officer, Major Guy Cryer. He had introduced them to Rugby Football which was a major sport within the city then, as now. The Major wanted to produce Rugby Players who played a hard, fast and open game, and that is what characterised our two young men. They visited local clubs, held meetings and considered their options. Their problem was not in finding a club to join, but in finding one that played their kind of Rugby.

It soon became apparent that such a club did not exist, yet... The answer was in their own hands. They would form a new club. Lists of school leavers were scanned; former players from the Central School were contacted. At first the situation did not appear encouraging. They had some interest and lots of offers of help, but not enough players. After these initial efforts, you would have forgiven our two lads if they had simply joined one of the other local clubs and enjoyed their Rugby without any hindrance. To have done this would have been to forget the influence of Major Cryer. These two boys were made of sterner stuff thanks to him. Our heroes set off determined to see the Major and enlist his help.

At last things started to happen. The Major was 100% behind them. His was a vision of a club playing fast, open Rugby, with the same spirit and enthusiasm as his schoolboys. The best of his players would continue in the game and weld a side that could take on the best in Local Rugby. So now the lads new their dream was shared by their mentor. Refreshed and encouraged by their new colleague they called another meeting. This time they were joined by some excellent Rugby talent from the school. Roland Presdee and Douglas Nyland called the first official meeting of Old Centralians Rugby Football Club.

These two founder members were joined at the meeting by mercers G. Cryer, G. Baldwin, H Knowles, R Hawker (representing the Association Football Club), A. Kingscott, L Rea, F. Jones, M. Wills, J. Dix, J. Brinkworth, R. Brasil, J Overthrow, L. Arch, R. Matthews, W. Arkell, G. Redding, F. Bishop, R. Vallender, R. Hewer and R. Hawker. Although not all of these people subsequently played for the club, their initial support was helpful. It generated a first squad of twenty young players, enough for a start!

Guy Cryer was elected Chairman. Roland was elected Hon Sec/Treasurer. Douglas Nyland, George Baldwin and Les Arch were elected as committee members. Roy Presdee's records show that in George Baldwin, Douglas Nyland and Leslie Arch, the cub had secured the services of players of considerable merit. George had gained two junior International caps. Leslie Arch would almost certainly have done the same but for an accident which put him out of the final trial. Dougie had gained a County Schoolboy cap, and was a very good athlete.

Now the problem was how to secure the future. The team needed money, more players, shirts, a playing surface and somewhere to change. As a start it was decided that payers should buy their own shirts, at 6/6d (32½p), and pay a match fee of 1/-d (5p) per game. On the 5th April 1937 a further meeting was held to determine the way ahead. Following this, Mr. Cryer penned a letter setting out the aims of the club and inviting patronage. Although the letter provoked interest and goodwill, it coaxed little money out of the good folks of Gloucester. However there were about twelve people who contributed a total of £8.00. Thanks to these gentlemen, and one lady they were underway.

On the 26th April 1937, the committee met representatives of Barnwood RFC with a view to sharing their ground and changing facilities at Longlevens. This was agreed, at a rent of £5.00 per annum. The Longlevens ground had a good playing surface, with excellent drainage and was generally considered second only to Kingsholm. The changing quarters however left a little to be desired. It was a ramshackle hut with a poor felt roof. Water was heated by a brick 'copper', but only when the wind was in the right direction. Ernie Sherwood, who was still at school at the time, was 'stoker in chief'. At times smoke made him more in need of a bath than the players. Despite the primitive conditions, they had a wonderful season. Often applauded by their opponents for their brand of play their record for that year was,

Played 24

Won 22

Drew 2

Lost 0

PF 442

PA 70

That record bears some examination. With only 24 players to pick from, this entirely new club, formed by young men straight from school, had effectively wiped the floor with the opposition. These figures are quite simply astonishing and where clearly setting a difficult precedent. Despite that, the team went on to lose only eleven games in their first four seasons.

At the Annual General Meeting in 1938 preparations had already been made to run two sides in the new season. The Centralians would be using the school field at Coney Hill and the skittle alley at the Cross Keys Inn, Barnwood as changing quarters. The 1938/39 season started well, with two sides, but by March there was difficulty keeping them both in the field. They were not alone in this matter. Problems were being experienced by all clubs. The Territorials had been called to the colours. Conscription was started. War was inevitable!

On the 4th October 1939, the club met in the boiler house at the school. Roland Presdee records that this was probably because blackouts were not I position and there was nowhere else to go at night. The meeting heard that the Rugby Football Union had cancelled all fixtures. Clubs were left to arrange matches locally. On the 20th October, twenty members were already serving members of His Majesty's Forces, and more were expected to go. It was therefore decided to suspend the activities of the club. All the assets were entrusted to Major Cryer and Mr. Jackson.

During the war our members served far and wide in the forces and industry. Roland records that 'In the main, they came back in one piece'. (I believe this was a somewhat optimistic view of the situation. In particular, Roland himself was to suffer in later life from the treatment he received at the hands of the Japanese. He rarely spoke of it and I suspect this statement was just his way of making light of the situation and getting on with his story).

On the 1st May 1946, the club was restarted with assets of £33.9s. 0d (£33.45). Much difficulty was found in acquiring a ground and changing quarters. Thanks however to the kind consideration of the Wagon Works Sports Club, and the sponsorship of the late Mr. Scanlon of the Avenue Hotel, the problem was solved. There was much to do, but enthusiasm was overwhelming and help was forthcoming from many sources. The bath was repaired and was good and deep. The geyser however was antiquated. It eventually blew up, taking with it the changing quarter's windows. On this, the wettest day of the year, the players came back in soaked, muddied and bathless.

The early post war years were happy ones for the club. It prospered, along with the newly formed 'Supporters Club'. In the first place it was run by 'Mac' Munday, and later taken over by Les Phelps, who ran it with calm efficiency for many years. Roland records his particular thanks to these two people, along with Fred Wasley. Indeed, Roly contends that without the efforts of these three, the club would not have run through this period. Such was the fund raising success during this time; the Supporters Club was able to donate £500 to the ground fund. With this money Old Cents were able to create a trust fund, to be exclusively used to provide a round and changing quarters. This money was the basis upon which we were able in the early 1970's, to build the clubhouse which now stands in what were the school grounds.

As a finale to his career, Mr Cryer was able to watch an excellent game on Kingsholm, when a XV nominated by him and consisting of players who had passed through his hands played a team of well known first class players selected by Tom Voyce. A great many of his players were County caps. It was apparently an excellent game. A fitting end to an exceptionally successful career as a sports master, during which time he had produced many fine schoolboy internationals.

THIS BRIEF HISTORY TAKES US UP TO APPROXIMATELY THE LATE 1950'S. I HAVE CREATED THIS STORY USING MANY OF ROLY'S OWN WORDS AND SENTIMENTS. IT IS AS HE GAVE ME THE STORY JUST BEFORE HE DIED. UPDATES WILL BE ADDED...

WRITTEN BY MARTIN SLATTER, PRESIDENT, OLD CENTRALIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB, 27TH FEBRUARY 2004