7 PAVIORS IN TOUCH- DECEMBER 2020 no2

#BuyABrick #BuyABrick #BuyABrick Become part of the Legacy Project, with your name on the Supporters Wall. The #BuyABrick Campaign is live, in time for Christmas! A great last minute stocking filler!?

As you may well know, we are planning major projects for our 100 Year Anniversary in 2022! Check it out on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4psk0Gwfaw All our designs are complete and applications have been submitted. We are on a roll! We need you to help where you can, and with this initiative, you get a lasting piece of history to be displayed in the new clubhouse! A Bespoke brushed stainless steel ‘brick’ to be part of the Supporter Wall, with your name and message. One of Payment - £200 or Direct Debit – 20 x £10 For more information email [email protected] Or to BUY NOW! One off payment: https://pay.gocardless.com/AL0003G83NTE7J Direct Debit: https://pay.gocardless.com/AL0003G838QN1M Once Payment is initiated, we will contact you with your #BuyABrick Certificate of Support and request the name and message for your bespoke brick! To be mounted before the opening of the new clubhouse! We Build Together! #BuyABrick #Centenary #100Years #Support #Legacy #Projects

This month, with some sort of semblance of rugby returning to Burntstump we look forward to 2021 and then, particularly to Centenary Year 2022. We also look back and say thank you, as one great club stalwart leaves the area to do missionary work in Wales. BOB RATCLIFFE Bob Ratcliffe, player, coach, team manager, Club Chairman, Club President, Organiser of Open the Box and countless more things besides, is leaving the leafy byways of Farnsfield and Burntstump to a life in ‘Little England, beyond Wales’ to the rugged coasts of Pembroke, specifically Haverfordwest home of the Super Furry Animals and the oldest post box in Wales. His contribution to the life of the club throughout his time at Burntstump has been immense and some of the people he has worked with along the way have contributed to wish him ‘hwyl fawr a phob lwc’- good bye and good luck. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER………………………………. PHIL MOLYNEUX I’m sorry to see you go Bob, I will miss you as there was never a dull moment when I was in your company and the club will lose a guy who put his heart & soul into the many jobs that has filled for the club from President down to running the Horns! Good luck on your next adventure in Wales and I hope that in the future we will see you again at Burntstump whenever possible.������������ Not sure who can take on the mantle of Open the Box ������ Cheers Phil JACK HORVATH I joined Paviors as a 12-year-old, and at first found playing for the Under 13’s slightly daunting. Bob was one of the first people to greet me at my first training session, with a big smile and affirm handshake that instantly made me feel both welcome and included. As one of the coaches he had a huge role within my age group always giving up Tuesday and Thursday nights and Sunday mornings selflessly. Because of the commitment of Bob and his fellow coaches we were one of the few clubs in the county who were able to field two teams most Sundays. Since I have stopped playing, I occasionally go up to the club to watch the Seniors where a warm welcome from Bob on the balcony has become an enjoyable part of the whole experience. Bob is not only a top Pavior, but he is also a top bloke and I would like to wish him and his family all the best for their new adventures in Wales. PS Don’t forget your England shirt Bob!

JIM DICKINSON My association with Bob goes back 25 years I think, I joined the club and played in the 3/4ths with him for a number of years my first game for the club was in the 6th team v East Leake away! Bob was a real team man, would play anywhere if you asked him and would do anything for the club, but I get to know him through coaching I used to bring my son Elliot to rugby on a Saturday and he would hang out with Bobbie, Doug Billam, George on the side-lines and it wasn’t long before I was up on a Sunday and the next thing I know Bob had roped me into coaching what would have been a U6 team between us we took those group of players all the way to colts and then in the first team, along with several notable mini and Junior tours. Bob has an ability to bring people together for the betterment of the club and the current state of the club owes so much to him, even when I moved to Dubai I have remained in contact with and always make sure I get back to the club to share a pint with him. I guess one story that truly sums up Bob is the playoff match, and the video. Bob was tweeting and live streaming it’s started to rain and Bob was running out of power on his laptop, for the last 10 mins he was in his car desperately trying to ensure he had enough power to keep on tweeting his 'fanbase' of loyal fans, the final whistle goes and Bob was sprinting from the car to the pitch.........the next morning Bob returns to the club 'with a hangover' and finds his car doors open I pad on the seat and slightly damp.....Bob was so happy for the club and the players he totally forgot that he left his car in that state. To sum up, he is going to be missed and I hope that the club give him a send-off and recognise his efforts, I’ve attached a few pictures that I have……… CHRIS HOLDRICK My abiding memories will be of standing with him on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the freezing snowy sleety nights holding tackle shields at training whilst our respective offspring tried to smash us!! Many others will recall his legendary ‘Open the Box’ and ‘Play your cards right ‘as bit of fun whilst raising funds for the club. ELEANOR WILSON (FORMERLY CROSSLEY)

As a parent I remember him as a calming influence on the boys who could get a bit carried away at times! Completely unflappable, caring, and fair. A great man, willing to give up his time to train, coach, support and develop the lads as they all grew from 9-year olds into grown men themselves. NEIL KENDRICK A wonderful clubman who bleeds green and red.He’s done everything for Paviors and remains a genuinely lovely guy.The heart and soul of the club. The whole point of rugby-it is first and foremost a state of mind, a spirit, and Bob epitomises the spirit of rugby and of Paviors. At least he’s going to the right country! WILL CROSSLEY Wishing Bob all the best with his move to Wales. Knowing him since U10s in the mini set up, he’s one of the kindest blokes around. Looking after all the boys growing up and guiding us from minis, through juniors and into senior rugby. He was always there for the highs and lows growing up at Pavs, always there to have a pint and chat with as we matured and always there to open the box on a Saturday afternoon or open a phone box to find his son Bobby on a Saturday night; a true clubman through and through. He’ll be sorely missed on the Burntstump balcony. Stand up Bob! DAVE AND KIM HOSKINS I first got to meet Bob and Jane socially when they attended a Mini and Junior Coaches BBQ in our garden, somewhere in the whirlwind that was the late 90’s as part of the Farnsfield crew. It was a rain-soaked night when only the true dedicated BBQ’ers were out, we put as much canvas over the garden as possible and ate and drank well into the night, it was clear to me than that Bob and Jane would be a huge asset to the club. A few years later, on our first attempt on a Burns Night supper, Bob came to the rescue in the Kitchen and his catering expertise came to the fore. His boundless energy was clear to see and he was a joy to work with and was a great support to me personally. By my records he first took office as Mini Chairman in 2003 and then Junior Charmian in 2004 for several years, by 2008 he was earning the MJ section the England RFU Junior seal of approval and by 2010 through his efforts the club gained full Club seal of approval, and later he held the office of Club president. I have no doubts that his wife Jane always played a huge part in his work for the club giving him her full support for which we are also very grateful. There are very few people who have achieved as much as Bob has for Paviors RFC and I would just like to say that they are both wonderful people who would always be first on mine and Kim’s list of invites to our social events and count ourselves lucky to have known them both and shared some very special social times with us, they will be Sorely missed. Kim and I would like to wish them both and their family a fabulous future in whatever or wherever they find themselves. Stay safe and well. Warmest Regards, Dave and Kim

MARTYN SHAW Bobbie is in the same age group as my son Sam, so I got to see a lot of Bob as the boys grew up Bob was always a tremendous ambassador for the club, a real social person, who has a wonderful ability to mix with people at all levels. He is very well liked and respected. With the lads, he left the coaching to the coaching team, but he was always prepared to help if needed and step in if their behaviour overstepped the mark - he was always keen to make sure people were fairly treated. When Sam went to uni, Bob kept in regular contact with him, inviting him to play for Paviors Horns on a number of occasions. The time effort and enthusiasm that Bob put in to seeking to keep people ‘in the Paviors family’ as well as new ‘family members’ to join, is outstanding. Great bloke, good fun, good company. Excellent ambassador for the club. He will be sorely missed. TONY DELAHUNTY Bob is someone I met when my son was playing in the Under 12s at Pavs . He always had words of encouragement for this moaning dad. He was also instrumental in creating a one-hour Rugby programme on Mansfield 103.2. On it he was sometimes wonderfully controversial. Whilst I have always been greatly impressed by the, now, nonplaying members at Pavs -sadly, people like Bob are rarer now days. Perhaps a statue by the bar would be a fitting tribute!!! BARRY RICKETTS This is a message all the way from sunny South Africa to wish you and your family everything of the best for your future life in Pembrokeshire. I returned to my roots here some ten years ago, and I guess you are now doing the same! Like here in SA, rugby is a religion in Wales. That’s not all we have in common; after spells coaching youth rugby, we both became M&J chairman and later had the honour to be elected President of Paviors. I have good memories of playing with you in the 3rd or 4th team, and even the Vets I think, and sharing a pint or three afterwards! Christa joins me in sending our best wishes, and we hope to meet up with you and Jane again someday. Until then Stay Well! MALK HALL So Bob is moving to pastures new with his lovely wife Jane and mother in law and we all wish them the very best Bob has been an integral part of the Paviors family in many capacities for many years and is very well respected and cared for by all within the club Although I am sure we will be seeing Bob at the club many times again over the years perhaps the biggest lost to the club is his natural ability to create a positive impression of what Paviors are all about when meeting and speaking with people from other clubs, what happens on the pitch of course matters but so does the impression that people get of us off it and Bob has forged many relationships with people from clubs over many years. Bob is the main reason why myself and my family ended up coming to Paviors, I was looking for a club locally to me that would take on and embrace Little Ruggers as I wanted my then 2 and 3 years old lads to get into the game, I was put in contact with Bob by my good mate Steve from Nottingham Rugby, I remember vividly the first time that I came to Paviors and met Bob it was a Sunday morning and the club was buzzing, I knew within a few Bob is the main reason why myself and my family ended up coming to Paviors, I was looking for a club locally to me that would take on and embrace Little Ruggers as I wanted my then 2 and 3 years old lads to get into the game, I was put in contact with Bob by my good mate Steve from Nottingham Rugby, I remember vividly the first time that I came to Paviors and met Bob it was a Sunday morning and the club was buzzing, I knew within a few minutes of speaking with Bob that Paviors was the club for me, his friendly welcoming and engaging manner along with an understanding and appreciation of the importance of getting youngsters introduced to rugby at a very young age sold it to me.

Bob and myself have become good mates over the years and even though he is a hell of a lot older than me we share a lot of common interests and values, we have however learnt not to discuss certain subjects including politics and Brexit ������ Myself and my wife Rachel wish you all the best on your new adventure and we look forward to seeing you at Paviors soon after all it’s your round mate. ROB AND BEV PICKERSGILL Best wishes from Aotearoa. I told you, that you would have to move to get out of doing jobs at Paviors. Wales is drastic enough, but we weren't taking any chances when we moved to New Zealand. Good luck for the future, both of you. And a big hello to all our friends at Paviors. It feels a little surreal at the moment with Covid. We are living in near normality in NZ, but the pictures we see round the world and back home are so Scary. Stay safe, do as you're told but have as good a Christmas as possible - to All. NIGEL YOUL As far as Bob is concerned, back in our playing days he was always the conciliatory voice as a foil to my rather blunt and admittedly overly brusque approach at times. An ability that he has used to excellent effect in his various roles in the club-always a calming influence on occasionally troubled waters! A fabulous ambassador for the club who is always keen to extol the friendly family values of Pavs. He will much missed on a Saturday afternoon post-match leading the fun win, lose or draw. All the best, Nigel CHOOSE YOUR PAVIORS FIRST XV The last word this month must go to Bob Ratcliffe himself……… ‘I thought I would put together a squad that have given me the biggest memories of the club, both good and bad, happy and sad. Although I may not state all the reasons for people’s inclusion! I've attached it and to be fair, it was as hard as picking an 'All-stars’ team. DR. ALEX MACDONALD: It's not broken, it's sprained' QUACK! One of the Farnsfield 3 CALLUM MASON: Always have a good laugh with Call, mainly at my expense. RON ROSSIN: A legend across the NLD. The President who welcomed me when I joined Paviors

ALAN KINLOCK: Unforgettable both on and off the pitch. DAVID HOSKINS: Encouraged me to start coaching and hosted great end of season parties. ROB PICKERSGILL: So pleased I brought him to Paviors. Great memories at Pavs and in Farnsfield. DAN PICKERSGILL: A chip off the old block NIGEL YOUL: Really surprised when I found out he was a 'F***ing' English teacher! JONTY GREEN: Delighted that Jonty, Will Crossley & Bobbie became 1st team regulars. TERRY LEE: Caught nearly everything I threw at him. JIM DICKINSON: Great times coaching together through minis and juniors. WILL CROSSLEY: From a really strong Junior side, he developed as a player, captain. MYLES RUTHERFORD: Head coach during most of my time as Club Chair. BOBBIE RATCLIFFE: Nepotism is alive and well. Was delighted to play a few matches with him. JAMES MOODIE : His funeral in Southwell Minster was the saddest Paviors memory. PHIL MOLYNEUX: Held in great reverence by all Paviors players PAT BILLAM: Obvs! JOE CAST: Thanks for bringing me to Paviors. If you have any Paviors memories, all time Paviors XV’s you would like to select for future editions or views and observations you would like to share Please do not hesitate to contact me: [email protected] FINALLY, BEST WISHES FROM PAVIORS FOR A HAPPY CHRISTMAS, A BETTER 2021 AND A HOPE OF A RETURN TO FULL TIME RUGBY SOMETIME VERY SOON Neil Kendrick December 2020

STAY IN-TOUCH DAY TO DAY https://paviorsrfc.rfu.club The club has various social media channels, if you would like to keep up to date on a daily basis, below are the Club’s channel names. Facebook – Paviors RFC Nottingham Instagram - paviorsrfc Twitter - @pavsrugby