BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC MOURN DEATH OF SLIM LAST LINE OF DEFENCE PLAYER

Emma Kemmish | 28/04/2023

Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Football Club has received the sad news that their former fullback Roy Gummer has passed away on 25 April.

Mr Gummer was Albion’s last line of defence at fullback from his 1^st XV debut at the start of the 1963/64 season until a bad injury at Torquay in November 1972 curtailed his career.

Gummer played in our Colts XV and graduated into the 1^st XV. His debut was against Reg Quick’s XV – a side full of internationals which was got together to celebrate the opening of Albion’s new clubhouse at The Broadway Ground in September 1963. The Bridgwater & Albion side on that night was:-

Roy Gummer; Lewis Beake Webber Swayne; Collard Croker; Hodge Moate Paisey Date Colman Redman Furzeman Sealey.

Gummer also featured in another notable landmark for Albion when he played against Bristol in October 1965 when the first class side came down to celebrate the opening of our floodlights – Albion being the pioneers of floodlit rugby in the south west beyond Bristol.

Roy was possessed of a remarkably slim posture which certainly belied his kicking and handling abilities at fullback where he was strong, safe and confident – propelling the ball well up the field. He was also a capable goal kicker when required. As a last line of defence, many an opposing winger or big forward fancied their chances in running through him but were to be denied by some textbook tackling. He also possessed a considerable jink which often got himself and Albion out of trouble in defence and again bamboozled the opposition. This top man also appeared for Albion on the wing and occasionally at stand-off and he represented the Somerset County XV.

In his early playing days Roy worked as a postman which gave him his initial fitness. He suffered injury in the November 1972 game at Torquay which put an end to his career after making 220 appearances in Albion’s 1^st XV.

In recent seasons Roy has looked in on some of Albion’s home games in company with his brother-in-law Colin Parr – another player from the same playing period.

Bridgwater & Albion RFC sends its sympathies and condolences to Erica and family with thanks for a memorable rugby football career

Scribe

In the Reg Quick’s XV v Bridgwater & Albion picture then Roy is in the third row – standing – the fourth player in from the right