OLD BOYS’
BOXING DAY FIXTURE
OLD ARNOLDIANS Vs OLD LIDUNIANS 26th DECEMBER 2021 KO: 3.00pm
FYLDE RFC, WOODLANDS MEMORIAL GROUND
BLACKPOOL ROAD, LYTHAM ST ANNES FY8 4EL
Pursue your passion
ENHANCED SPORTS PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME
4 Welcome
from Anthony Hoskisson
6 How it all began 8 OAKS interview with Mr Jones
11 Your memories 13 OAKS interview with Mr Rudd
“After a year’s hiatus, I am beyond delighted to once again welcome everyone to the incomparable clash of the Arnoldians and Lidunians. Sport might be the winner, but our amazing community will always come out on top!” David Harrow, Headmaster
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I welcome you this afternoon to the Woodlands wearing three different hats! Firstly this is a great event that supports Fylde RFC on what would normally be a quiet Boxing Day, which the Club is delighted to host. Some of you will remember that historically this was the day that Fylde played Preston Grasshoppers, where many a good day was had, and the rivalry reminds me of the one between today’s two teams. This annual fixture was a casualty of the rugby union game going professional and the introduction of Leagues. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the founders of this match Paddy Dowling (Old Arnoldians) and the late Michael Pemberton (Old Lidunians) for coming up with the inspiration to pull the two teams together. Over the years it has been great to see so many former pupils from both schools turn out for their respective teams (The oldest being age 52). Phill Rudd and Robbie Jones have brought many memories back to those who have played and attended having coached many of them. It is great to see you both again this year. The passion which is displayed from both teams takes me back to the many matches that I played in between the 2 schools.
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I hope that all of those who attend appreciate the contribution of the many volunteers who put in endless effort to make this event happen, from arranging the teams to liaising with Fylde, to running the gate and the raffle. All funds raised during the day are distributed amongst the former pupils’ associations and used to provide funding for various activities/projects at school. A special thanks must go to all the players for turning out today, we hope you enjoy the after-match frivolities and catching up with old friends! Enjoy the beer and food (sponsored by the Old Arnoldians). I believe that there is no other school in the United Kingdom that can boast of holding such an event during the festive period, long may it continue. All the best for the New Year. Anthony Hoskisson President of Fylde Rugby Club, Chairman of the Old Arnoldians and The Oaks (former pupils of AKS)
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HOW IT
ALL BEGAN We caught up with OA Ed Mahon to find out more about how the Boxing Day tradition began. Ed is an OA and has organised 20 Boxing Day fixtures. The Old Boys’ Boxing Day rugby spectacle at Fylde goes back to the late 90s. Prior to that, there was a tradition at Arnold for an annual fixture of Old Boys v 1st XV but due to RFU ruling that was changed (around 1990). It was agreed an OAs XV would play OLs on the last Wednesday of Autumn Term, alternating games at Arnold, then King Edward’s. Generally, more of the active Arnold players tended to move away and a lot of the King Edwards players remained local, so this often led to a one-sided victory for the Old Lidunians (one year their backline was the Fylde 1st XV backline)! In 1998 the OL organiser Mike Pemberton contacted his OA counterpart Mark Worsley to suggest moving the fixture to Fylde RFC, a neutral venue where a lot of the players still played. With added help from Mark Evans (OL) and Ed Mahon (OA) the numbers swelled over the coming years. Traditionally Fylde played local rivals Preston Grasshoppers on Boxing Day, but a change in structure (and club success) had led to a gap in the Fylde calendar. The first 2 Boxing Day matches were played in front of meagre crowds in horrible weather, both matches ended (once more) in a comprehensive OL win. At the time the Fylde 1st XV was made up of a strong OL core, however, the late 90s saw a few years of a resurgence at Blackpool RUFC, featuring many OAs in their squad. Bolstered by the Blackpool contingent the 2000 OAs recorded
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a long-awaited win, in front of a healthy crowd on a day blessed with good weather. This provided a real spark of local interest; it was a great game and both sets of players stayed long into the night celebrating. From this point onwards the crowds swelled and the traditional fixture became a showcase, often pulling in crowds of over 1000. The next decade saw some very close games, all well-attended and saw 5 wins for each team. Features of the Old Boys game has been a mixture of Barbarians spirit (run the ball where possible) and Christmas spirit (friendly, often smelling of booze)! Every year the sets of teams have managed to raise at least 15 players (even in the old days) and sometimes upward of 30!! A couple of years were touch and go but now we have a healthy squad number for both teams. Fylde used to provide the ref (previous refs including ex-international David Leslie) and each team provides a touch judge (often Phil Rudd for OLs and Robbie Jones for the OAs) There is always a large and friendly crowd, now Fylde treats this as an extra home game, with hospitality tables often selling out. In 2010 when the weather caused the game to be cancelled, we did play a football match on the astroturf instead! The merge has seen a slight change to squad selection, but the fixture goes from strength to strength.
Previous players of note… OAs Premiership players
Representative players (inc Fylde 1st XV regulars)
Mike Fielden
OAs
OLs
Greg Nicholls
Martin Wallwork
Mark Greatorex
Christian Day
Mark Stephenson
Dave Tanner
Josh Beaumont
Andy Parker
Ian Barclay
Grant Ferguson
Mark Evans
Greg Johnson
Greg Anderton
Sam Beaumont
Carl Lavin
Oli Brennand
Tom Lavelle
Matt Garrod
John Kay
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INTERVIEW with
Mr Jones
When did you start at Arnold School? I started as Director of PE at Arnold on 1st January 1998. Moving ‘up North’ was a big step for me and my family, but one I’m glad we made.
What inspired you to become a teacher? I had a very positive experience of PE and sport at school, with some excellent teachers who had a big impact on me. I wanted to recreate these opportunities for others. I went to Borough Road College, West London Institute where I studied a BEd in Physical Education.
What are your favourite school memories? I remember Arnold’s friendly atmosphere when I first attended my interview. I was fortunate to help with the design of the Procter Sports Hall and Centenary Complex before I started at Arnold, although it meant no indoor facility for 12 months as the building work took place. Being part of the sporting development of so many young people will always be a fond memory. Whilst my background was predominantly rugby, I encouraged students to find the activity that best
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suited them and that they enjoyed so they would continue to be involved after leaving school. That said, it was always essential to have staff willing to take and assist with the wide range of activities we offered, and I was very grateful to them. The Sports Days at Stanley Park were great House events, with the staff relays demonstrating the willingness of colleagues to be involved. The school trips and sports tours were always something I really enjoyed. The experiences and memories for all those that travelled will last a lifetime. Spending time away from family was not always easy when on school trips, so travelling to Australia on the 2005 hockey tour as a family was a great experience for us all. I always accompanied my Year 7 form to Glenridding, which I loved. The sevens season in March was always hectic but enjoyable. As a party leader/tour manager I always planned to go off the beaten track away from the usual tourist destinations. Consequently, I was fortunate to visit some wonderful places and countries with fantastic staff, which was always the key. If the staff had a good time, it generally meant that the students were toeing the line … although not on all occasions! Many of my best memories, therefore, are from distant places. Some of the highlights include Rorkes Drift in South Africa and the hospitality
at Linpark Sports Club; the cricketers singing the National Anthem before they played Union Island in the Caribbean; playing cricket (and umpiring!) at the international stadiums in Trinidad, Grenada and Sri Lanka; the fabulous steaks (and occasional red wine!) in Argentina and Chile; visiting the Iguazu Falls in Argentina, and playing under the floodlights in the foothills of the Andes in Santiago, simply breathtaking; the safaris in South Africa and supporting the great work of SKRUM in Swaziland (now Eswatini), as the boys coached rugby to children whose lives have been blighted by HIV. One memory closer to home was when a former colleague returned to Arnold with Tauranga Boys College. In welcoming the tourists to Blackpool they performed and explained the origins of the Haka in a special assembly. The Memorial Hall was still shaking as were many that witnessed an incredibly powerful and energetic performance. As the 1st XV prepared to face the Haka out on the pitch, seeing the younger year groups running to the far-field to witness this again was fantastic. Staying with New Zealand, it was also great to travel to Twickenham with the 1st XV to watch two of their teammates play for England U19s v New Zealand.
Can you share with us any funny or embarrassing moments?
Leading the last Arnold ski trip to Alpe D’Huez with a young staff team, having taught two of them! At Glenridding, thinking that the ‘LM burgers’ were Linda McCartney burgers, only to find out they were lamb and mint. I’m pleased to say there were no complaints!
What would our alumni be surprised to find out about you? I am sadly no longer teaching due to ill health, but fortunately still able to contribute to schools’ rugby in Lancashire and with England Schools. I also support medical practitioners with research and am a patient advocate for Cardiomyopathy UK.
What is the best part of the Old Boys Rugby, and do you have any standout memories? Undoubtedly the camaraderie amongst the lads playing and the support from the ‘Green and White Army’. It’s great catching up with former staff and students to find out where their paths are now taking them, and sometimes to hear what they really got up to on tour or at La Reserve! It is even more pleasing to hear that they are still exercising and playing sport.
Whilst I wholeheartedly endorse “what goes on tour, stays on tour”, the following occasions can be shared: Four staff having to share a room with all the team kit and equipment for 4 nights on tour in Canada. Worst of all there were only two beds! We also convinced the locals we were part of a choir on our world tour! Loading the boys’ cricket bags onboard a boat whilst island hopping in the Caribbean, only to discover that several of the bags contained slabs of beer!
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A K S P E R F O R M I N G A RT
S D E PA RT M E N T
P R E S E N T S
LI O N EL BA RT 'S
TICKETS ON SALE FROM 3rd DEC
27th •28th •29th
JANUARY
AT TH E
2022
Book, Music and Lyrics by LIONEL BART
LO WT HE R PAV ILI ON
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.co.uk
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE BOX OFFICE:
@aksdrama / @akslythammusic
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www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk boxoffice@lowtherpavilion.co.uk 01253 794221
Your Memories We asked three Old Boys for their memories of this traditional fixture: Graeme McIntyre, Anthony Hoskisson (OA, AKS Governor, Fylde RFU Chairman) and James Dalby (KES) What is your favourite part of the day? Graeme: Seeing which former legends have turned up with their boots. Anthony: Meeting up with fellow former pupils of both schools. James: My favourite part is just seeing everyone there and catching up with everyone with a drink.
Do you have any standout memories from the matches? Graeme: My standout memories are discussing the tours, notably Canada, Chile and Argentina. As a coach of the Arnold Spartans (the legendary 2nd XV), it’s great to catch up with former team members - some of whom went on to be standout players and others who went on to stand up at the bar. We often discuss the infamous Monday match reports which are all in sealed archives. However, I took the liberty of cutting out a quote from yet another Spartan victory over Manchester GS. “This match gets into my all-time Spartan top 10, ranking alongside the Game of Fog (MGS 2008), The Game of Yorkshire Bitterness (QEGS Wakefield 2001), The Five Tries Disallowed by Rodders (Bradford GS 2003), The Li Kam Wa try and Pile On (Macclesfield 2006) Headhunters and Jousters alongside the Number 8 and his curiously Clean Shorts (KGS 2001, 2005).” Such fond memories - brilliant times. Anthony: The game and the boat race. James: Standout memory has to be the one time I actually took part in the game in 2011! Loved it from start to finish! The warmup, photos, the game itself and the guard of honour! I only played ten mins but that’s literally the first time I’ve played since I was 14! I was very much out of my depth, but everyone was really supportive and it was great to represent the school.
If you could describe the day in 3 words, what would they be? Graeme: Come on you Spartans! (I know that’s 4 words but it fits better) Anthony: Passionate, competitive, fun. James: Rivalry, tradition, social!
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DIARY DATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2022 ENTRY Year 7 Entry Assessment 29th January 2022
Reception Taster Session
26th January 2022
Sixth Form Taster Day
28th January 2022
Discover more: www.akslytham.com 01253 784104
INTERVIEW with
Mr Rudd Quotes Ruddy lives by:
“Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think”. “Specials AKA” and “Sublimis Ab Unda” (Risen from the Waves) KES Motto
When did you start working at KES?
What are your favourite school memories?
I started work at KES in 1986. I started as a PE teacher for 2/3 of the timetable and Mathematics 1/3 and as I got older and infirm this gradually became more and more Maths until eventually it was all Maths. I do have a Joint Honours Degree in Maths and PE and so am qualified to do both I hasten to add.
My favourite memories of KES and KEQMS were every victory over Arnold at 1st XV level, every victory over Kirkham in the Fylde 7s even when their teams were full of County and international players. My Under 15 run in the Daily Mail all the way to the final at Twickenham, every round was close and started with yet another victory over Arnold at Arnold. An unbeaten season with the U12’s in 1988, an amazing 2nd X1 season beating Kings Macc, Manchester GS and drawing with Sedbergh and starting games with 8 or 9 at times I wonder why? (certain individuals would be able to expand why?). Every trip away with the lads on Rugby, Cricket tours and outdoor Ed all over Britain and further afield. In particular trips with Andy Weston when all we did was laugh and enjoy the company of the students. “What goes on tour stays on tour” was possible as there were no mobile so any misdemeanors were dealt with on tour and so never mentioned on our return. The lads knew that this was the rule and as a result they were given freedom and trust that would never be possible now due to health and
What inspired you to become a teacher? My PE teachers Bob Dudley Jones and Steve Williams who played rugby for Cardiff and Neath respectively inspired me to become a teacher. I would have run through a brick wall for them both. They turned a troubled soul into someone who actually did well in school in the end. Steve Williams still works at my old school and I keep in touch with him. Also my Year 10 and 11 set 2 Maths teacher Mrs Burgess who picked me up from my disappointment at not being good enough for set 1 and got me an A at O level (there was no A* then).
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safety. I cast my mind back to Jonesy’s camp site in France, the Gaol in Canada and the BBQ at the beach, Mines in Wales, Tossio at the Eiger Bike Challenge, gorge walking in the Dales,final night in Auckland and Christchurch (Johnny you’ve rung the wrong room), the boat trip in Malta swimming to the Island, the Coast to Coasts, Wet and Wild Newcastle, fireworks in Scotland and the McDonalds Girlfriend, the poor hamster in Cardiff, Frank and his mash potato, every Rosslyn Park National 7s trip, the cricket festivals in London and the sing song in Italy. I need not expand any more. The long haul tours to Canada in 1989, New Zealand in 1999, 2005 and 2008, Sri Lanka in 2001 and 2015, were experiences that I will treasure particularly coming back unbeaten in 2008. Although each will have their own fantastic memories, particularly the times away from the sports field, with the humour and the company of such wonderful young men and also women when we merged and did joint tours. I loved every minute of their company and really missed them when they were hosted. I took my wife on two of the tours once in 1999 and then in 2001 and she had a ball as well. She actually got quite depressed on our return as she missed the lads so much. The lads looked after her especially when she was unwell in Sri Lanka and she did the same when they were all sun burnt after too much time by the pool in Galle. I have wonderful memories of visits to hospitals in New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Malta, Italy, Ireland, North Wales, Newcastle, and the Lakes, NOT! Academically I took pride in all of the passes at GCSE that my sets got both at PE and Maths and also the same at A level, starting with Sport Studies and moving eventually to Maths.
Can you share with us any funny or embarrassing moments? One of the first embarrassing moments was in my first year when marking the Year 9 Maths exam. I managed to mark one question with the answers that were wrong, right, and those that were
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correct marked wrong. As it was Year 9 they were then setted using the scores. The staff then went through the papers and found my error and as a result I was moved sets both up and down. Not one of my best times I hasten to add. Needless to say I always got someone more senior to check my solutions from then on. I had to beg officials not to eject me out of a waterpark in Canada in 1989 after some of the 1st XV persuaded me to join their snake down the slide (I didn’t know that they had been warned only to go down on their own previously). As we crashed down at the bottom they held me under the water so that they could get away without being caught. I don’t know if this is embarrassing or something I should be proud of but in my last season at Fylde I got picked in the 1st XV in a team where I had recently coached over half of the players. During the game (that we won) I eventually got replaced near the end by Matthew Wilkinson who had been my 1st XV scrum half just the season before. This had also happened earlier in my career at Fylde. I was dropped for the old Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay who I had coached at Year 9, Year 10 and 2nd XV level at school. Another one that springs to mind was when driving the school minibus with a trailer for the first time I was escorted by the police from the motorway into the services and asked to sit in the police car. The students all thought that this was hilarious, and I didn’t know what was going on. Once in the car I recognised the other policemen as a parent who was killing himself laughing. He then proceeded to video me before sending me on my way. Another was driving the school minibus out of Kings Macclesfield and relying on the students to guide me only to get too close to the wall and rip the bumper off the bus. Again, the students thought that this was hilarious. Mr Liggett did not!
What would our alumni be surprised to find out about you? Seeing that I have been here 34 years it might surprise you that my plan was to only stay for a year. I had an interview in Wales at the end of my first year but when I compared it to KES there was only one winner. The rest they say is history. They might be surprised that I struggled at Primary school and was a little bit of a naughty boy and it was sport and the staff at my high school who pointed me in the right direction. I have seen both the Nolans and Bucks Fizz in concert and also only read books set in the UK and with a happy ending (usually love stories), I cry like a baby at sad films and this has got worse over the
years. I now even cry at adverts! I am frightened to death of flying although those who experienced the two aborted landings in Wellington probably already know this. I also can’t cope with sitting in a car being driven fast and won’t go on any rides at fun fares. After all of my mishaps in the minibus this might not be surprising, but I couldn’t drive when I started at KES and only learnt two years later. My first experience of driving alone was the day after my test when I had to drive the minibus to Stanley Park. The athletics team of Eric Fry, John Kay, Anthony Thorn, Marcus Foster and the rest had their lives in my hands!
SPECIAL THANKS TO MR RUDD FOR TAKING US DOWN MEMORY LANE
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SPORT
U11
AJIS Rossall Invitation Tournament Lancashire County North West Regional Tournament North of England Finalists*
TEAM GB REPRESENTATIVES
ARCHERY RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS ICE DANCE
Jean Torrance Tournament U12B Jean Torrance Plate U12 U12A
AT SALE SHARKS
FINALISTS
1
GREAT BRITAIN
ELITE HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME NORTH OF ENGLAND SQUAD ENGLAND WOMEN’S RUGBY
ENGLAND TRAINING SQUAD HOCKEY PLAYER
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6
TEAMS
PERFORMANCE CENTRE HOCKEY PLAYERS
SPORTS CLUBS
ENGLAND RUGBY
370
NETBALL WYRE & FYLDE LEAGUE PERFORMANCE PATHWAY TEAM WINNERS SPORTS FIXTURES PER ANNUM
3
ACADEMY FOOTBALLERS
*Final cancelled due to Covid-19
U13 GIRLS’
REGIONAL CRICKET
FINALISTS
NATIONAL, EUROPEAN & WORLDWIDE SPORTS TOURS
U18
CHAMPIONS U14 LANCASHIRE
U14 BOYS’
REGIONAL HOCKEY
11 118
STUDENTS ON DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
U13A & B Lancashire County U13 North West Regional Finalists U13 North of England Finalists*
ENGLAND NATIONAL ACADEMY
U13
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3
GIRLS’ HOCKEY
LANCASHIRE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS
AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, WALES, REPTON