BRIDGWATER & ALBION MOURNS THE DEATHS OF TWO STALWARTS OF THE CLUB FROM THE 1950s AND 1960s
BRIDGWATER & ALBION MOURNS THE DEATHS OF TWO STALWARTS OF THE CLUB FROM THE 1950s AND 1960s
CT Moate
Cyril Moate, who was a popular Bridgwater & Albion player, passed away on 19 December aged 87. He first came to prominence in our 1st XV on the wing in the 1955/56 season and was a regular in the side for several seasons. In and around 1960 he switched to wing forward and made a considerable success of the move, forming a formidable back row of himself, Geoff Paisey and David Hodge. Cyril gained Somerset County honours in 1962 and played for Somerset for the next few seasons. With Cyril on the blind side and Geoff on the open, then opposing half-backs encountered some stern defence. Cyril appeared against several visiting “get-up” sides and in particular, against Reg Quick’s XV when the new club house at the Broadway (Taunton Road) Ground was opened. Cyril’s last season was in 1964/65 and after around 200 1st XV appearances he retired to concentrate on the family farming and milk round business operated from Kidsbury Road, Bridgwater, in company with his father Geoff who was also a keen supporter of the club.
Cyril kept a close interest in the club’s progress after his retirement and would have been particularly pleased that his sons Paul and particularly John who played in our 1st XV followed his example in being part of Bridgwater & Albion RFC.
A larger than life character and well known in local farming and equestrian circles, Cyril will be sadly missed by his family and friends to whom the club sends its sincere condolences.
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Roger S Savill
Roger Savill has also passed away recently and he was more involved on the administrative side of the club as he was Hon Treasurer for a ten year span from the early 1960’s up until 1971/72. Roger was a partner at Butterworth Jones Chartered Accountants in Bridgwater so perhaps it was natural that he should command the Hon Treasurer post, no doubt prompted by his senior partner Mr JB Butterworth who had founded the firm and was a considerable Albion stalwart himself from the mid-1920’s. Initially Roger undertook the Treasurership duties in company with Brian Till and briefly with Roy Williams before continuing the post under his own steam from 1967/68. During his time, he saw the development of the new clubhouse at the Broadway Ground and the installation of floodlights in 1965/66.
Our current President Mike Berry recalls Roger’s stint as Treasurer as when he took up Articles at Roger’s firm, he was often seconded to count the takings from the weekend spoils and to bank them.
Over the years, the club has been indebted to professionals like Roger who have committed their time to assisting, supporting and developing the club. Roger continued in practice in Butterworth Jones in Taunton for many years up until his retirement.
Bridgwater & Albion sends its sincere condolences to Roger’s family with thanks for his involvement.
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Category: Club News
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