Bridgwater and Albion RIP PHIL SEALEY 1937 – 2021
PHIL SEALEY 1937 – 2021
Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Football Club is sad to announce the death on 3 May of Phil Sealey – a stalwart prop forward for the club in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s. After his playing days Phil kept in touch with the club and was a regular spectator and supporter both at the Broadway Ground and latterly at College Way. He was also a member of the Friends of Bridgwater & Albion.
1957/58 Season
Albion’s Centenary Handbook records Phil as appearing in the 1st XV in the 1957/58 season when he accompanied the likes of John Coleman, Dennis Hill, Roy Chidgey, Jeff Paisey, Colin Stagg and Dave Wilkins all making their debuts in that season. As a prop forward, Phil was in severe competition with other renowned Albion players John Redman, Mike Hawkins and Dave Hodge who also played in the 2nd and back rows.
Phil was a solid and steady player who simply got on with his game and did his job well for the side. When Bridgwater & Albion opened their then new clubhouse at the start of the 1963/64 season Phil was in the Albion side which played Reg Quick’s XV – a get up side star-studded with various internationals mainly from Bristol and South Wales. Some supporters may recognise the names in the Albion XV on that evening – it was:-
R Gummer; J Lewis M Beake C Webber R Swayne; R Collard R Crocker; C Moate D Hodge G Paisey L Date J Coleman J Redman C Furzeman P Sealey.
The representative side won the match 29-13.
When Bridgwater & Albion embarked on an end of season tour to Hamburg and Copenhagen in 1970, then none other than Phil joined the tour party. He and his old Albion colleague Tony Harwood in fact made the journey to Germany and Denmark under their own steam meeting up with the rest of the side in Hamburg. Despite coming out of retirement for the occasion, he made a fine contribution to the tour matches and to the off field events.
The club sends its sincere condolences to Phil’s family and thanks for the memories of his strong service with the club.
Scribe
Check out our history on https://barfc.co.uk/history/
Category: Club News
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