Three members who all joined Thanet Wanderers just after the second world war were entertained to lunch in the clubhouse on Saturday 28th September and presented with specially commissioned shirts bearing their initials and chosen motifs plus a large 70. Club President Colin Whiteley introduced the three and outlined their contributions to the Thanet club. He also presented the three with glasses engraved with the club logo and a little gin to sample from it.
Brian Bingham played for the club for fifteen years and was appointed Vice-Captain in the 1953/54 season before being honoured with the captaincy for the seventy fifth anniversary season. He researched and wrote a history of the club up to that time, no mean feat before the internet.
A business relocation entailed a move to Cheshire but he has remained a loyal and interested member of the club to this day.
Brian Gilham has celebrated his ninetieth birthday recently. He joined Wanderers immediately after leaving Chatham House School at the end of the 1946/47 before joining Wanderers where he played at scrum half or flank forward until the late 1960s. He spent many years on the club’s committee where he was fixtures secretary and Clubhouse Chairman. His great contribution to the club was was recognised when he was made a life member in 1976.
Roddy Macaulay became a Wanderer after the war and played as a wing three quarter until injury curtailed his playing career. This was a blessing in disguise for Wanderers for he channelled his energies into administration. Initially treasurer for twenty-five years, he then became club secretary for another twenty-five before taking a short break and then becoming President for five years until 2008. He was made a life member in 1969. The Nonagenarian is still a regular at matches where he keeps a keen eye on today’s players from the clubhouse balcony.
Accompanied by his team and some of the club’s youngest side the U6s with their coach Mario Garcia, first XV captain Neil Wakefield then presented a shirt each to the three distinguished Wanderers. The youngsters then provided an enthusiastic guard of honour for the teams as they took the field.
PICTURE: The excellent picture was taken by MATT WALTERS. Many thanks to him
30 September 2019
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