RAYMOND (ARCHIE) ANDREWS

Emma Kemmish | 15/09/2017

Members and former players – particularly those from the early 1960 period onwards – will have been saddened to have learnt of the death of Raymond (Archie) Andrews recently at the age of 74. Archie played for the club in the early 1960’s including many appearances in the 1^st XV where he won his badge. Whilst he was invariably the shortest man on the field, he exemplified strength, commitment and above all bravery. His lack of height meant that he was a difficult and slippery customer to deal with as many opposition tacklers found. He was a typically dedicated and brave scrum-half happy to follow his forwards around the field and deliver the ball to his backs no matter the quality of the possession he received – turning it in to something useful for those outside. Off the field he was also a great character keeping everyone amused with his antics. In the mid-1960’s he joined North Petherton and gave them the benefit of his skills for several seasons. Your Scribe can certainly recall as a schoolboy follower watching Archie’s considerable efforts for the 1^st XV when he certainly got stuck in and always gave a committed performance well appreciated both by his own team members and by the spectators.