Widden Old Boys RFC

Rugby team
teamname = Widden Old Boys


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union = RFU
fullname = Widden Old Boys Rugby Football Club
nickname = The Don
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founded = 1922
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league = Tribute Western Counties North
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Widden Old Boys R.F.C is a rugby union club based in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England. They currently play in the Tribute Western Counties North.

History

Established in 1922, Widden are one of the oldest rugby clubs in Gloucester. It is affectionately known to its members as "The Don".

Widden was originally formed as a club for ex-pupils of Widden School, the school closed many years ago but Widden continue to use the Old Boys tag to this day and no longer rely on ex pupils to boost the playing numbers but a thriving and successful youth section.

Widden moved to their current home at the Memorial Ground on Tuffley Avenue in 1958 and they share this ground with fierce rivals Old Cryptians RFC.

Widden are renowned as not only one of Gloucester's most successful rugby clubs, but also as one of its friendliest, making a point of striving for success on the field as well as off it on the social side.

Its club motto, "facta non verba" means "Deeds not Words".

Current Club Positions

As of the 10th of June 2008 Widden's members elected the following club officials for the 2008/09 season:
*Club Chairman: Michael Taylor
*Club President: Alan "Tug" Wilson
*Honorary Secretary: Glenda McWalter
*Club Captain: Gareth Evans
*2nd XV Captain: Chris Tyree
*3rd XV Captain: Rikki Hill
*1st XV Manager: Vacant
*2nd XV Manager: Mick Hill
*3rd XV Manager: Mark Elton
*Junior Representative: Tildy Ryder

Coaching Team

Widden are currently coached by current Gloucestershire county and former Gloucester United and Pertemps Bees coach David "Spanner" Spencer, who has led them to a fine first season in Western Counties North as well as an appearance in the Gloucestershire County Plate Final.

Spencer is assisted in his duties as head coach by backs and defence coach and former Gloucester player Mark "Dinner" Nicholson.

Resurection

In 1999 Widden were forced out of the league structure and were very close to closure. However thanks to tremendous efforts from club stalwarts and the clubs superb youth system closure was avoided. Subsequently Widden were led to 4 promotions in 7 seasons by club captains Stuart Dobson, Nick Taylor, Dave Connors, James Cooke, Gareth Evans and current captain Stuart Carroll.

This marked a tremendous turnaround in fortunes with Widden currently riding high in Western Counties North and no matter how successful the club becomes great efforts are still made to continue the huge character and team spirit that epitomised Widden during their fight toward the top of the leagues.

Competition History

Gloucestershire Premier:
*2006/07 - Runners-Up, Playoff Champions

Gloucestershire One:
*2004/05 - Champions

Gloucestershire Two:
*2003/04 - Champions

Gloucestershire Three North:
*2000/01- Champions

Gloucestershire County Cup
*Runners-Up: 1976/77

Gloucestershire County Plate
*Runners-Up: 2007/08

North Gloucester Combination Senior Cup
*Winners: 1928/29, 1930/31, 1931/32, 1958/59
*Runners-Up: 1956/57, 1987/88, 2006/07

North Gloucester Combination Junior Cup
*Winners: 1929/30, 1938/39
*Runners-Up: 1933/34, 1936/37, 1938/39

North Gloucester Combination Glanville Cup
*Winners: 2004/05
*Runners-Up: 2005/06

Famous Players

Widden has over the years developed many prominent players of the game, notable current and former professionals to have played for the club include:
*Ryan Lamb (Gloucester, England Saxons, England U-21)
*Adam Eustace (Gloucester, Llanelli Scarlets, England A)
*Marcel Garvey (Gloucester, Worcester, England)
*Brad Davies (Gloucester, Plymouth, England U-21s)
*Nathan Carter (Gloucester, Worcester, Barbarians, England).
*Chris Fortey (Gloucester, England A)
*David Spencer (Gloucester)
*Paul Webb (Gloucester, England Colts)

Widden has also produced many players to have represented at high levels, chief amongst these players are:
*Reuben Haile - County U16's, SW England U16's & England U16's
*Michael Wilcox - County U16's, SW England U16's & England U16's
*Andrew Clegg - County U16's, SW England U16's & England U16's
*Thomas Miklausic - Gloucester, County, SW, England Schools, Glos 7's
*Joseph Goatle - Gloucester, County, SW Schools, Gloucester United & Glos 7's
*Andrew Brown - Army U21's & Northern Ireland Combined Servcies
*David Connors - Glos Schools U15/ U16, County Schools U16/ U18 & Gloucester Colts
*James Cooke - Gloucester Colts
*James Coopey - County, SW Schools & Welsh Exiles
*J Craven - Glos Colts
*M Craven - Glos Colts & County Colts
*Americo D'Amico - Glos Colts
*C Dyke - Glos Colts & County Colts
*Richard Gough - England TA
*M Grey - Army
*Simon Lane - Gloucester Academy
*Phillip Middlemiss - Scottish Exiles, County & SW Schools
*G Moore - County & SW Schools
*Andrew Murphy - Scottish Exiles, County & SW Schools
*Dominic Murphy - Scottish Exiles, County & SW Schools
*Kevin O'Connor - County & Gloucester
*Graham Penter - Ireland students rugby league
*J Pritchard - Gloucestershire U15/16, Army U19/20, Rotherham U21
*M Powell - Gloucester Colts & County Colts.
*S Smith - British Army Germany
*T Smith - Glos Colts
*Thomas Spencer - Gloucester U15/ U17
*James Stevenson - County & SW Schools, Welsh Exiles
*A Tanner - County & SW Schools
*Nicholas Taylor - Glos Colts
*P Taylor - Gloucester & Gloucestershire
*Iain Vanes - Gloucester Colts & Glos/ County U21
*Andy Wadley - England Schools U16
*Ben Walsh - County & SW Schools
*Gary Walsh - Gloucester Colts
*L Weaver - County U15's, U16, Colts and South West Colts
*B Whitard - Scottish Exiles
*Craig Smith - Irish Exiles
*Stuart Carroll - Gloucester Combination
*Gareth Evans - Gloucester Combination
*Wayne Thomas - Gloucester Combination
*Matthew Folley - Gloucester Combination