On the face of it the season started just like any other, an indifferent pre-season with two unspectacular victories. However, this season was set to be different than any other, this was the transition year from the old, favoured pitch and the new facilities to be provided under the ‘Sport 2000’ project would not be ready until the start of the following season. A temporary, hastily prepared pitch was squeezed in between the building site at one end and a cricket square at the other. It was a much shorter space over the top end of what was the boggy 2nd XV pitch but would be the one and only season that this pitch would be used, before a later re-grade. With the excessive school and club use it would be interesting, come the bleak and wet mid-winter, how this rectangle of grass (or mud) was to hold up under the treatment it was like to receive.

The disruption over pitch preparation had meant short pre-season and prospects for the team did not look too good, as new captain Paul ‘Compo’ Harding led an aging squad. This situation was made worse when an early season wrist injury meant that Vice Skipper Alan Shields would have control on the field and ‘Compo’ was left to prowl the touch line barking orders until Christmas. It was obvious that the ‘Cleobury game plan’ would have to be tweaked. The aging but dominant pack would need to take charge of the ball and time the release to very bright and aware half backs able to dictate the direction of play with either kicks for field position or using tremendous pace out wide. Crucially the whole side now had a significant amount of experience.

The North Midlands RFU had divided all the clubs at this level in to two equal groups, based on location, North Midlands ‘North’ or ‘South’ divisions. However, it was to produce the crazy situation of Ludlow RFC & Bishop’s Castle RFC driving through Cleobury Mortimer for matches in Birmingham and the Black Country, while we were still being sent to Coventry!!!! However, we were getting used to all this travelling by this stage. The first League game was a narrow defeat to Stourbridge Lions, followed by a high scoring, if routine, 37-27 victory away to Five Ways Old Edwardians RFC in round one of the RFU Powergen Junior Vase. Two further defeats in the next league games still did not give much confidence for a successful season and the side settled into a relaxed playing mode not expecting any particular success, but there was little hint of what was to come. The spark was a home draw against friends and end of season rivals from Coventry, Stoke Old Boys RFC and a determined performance produced a 40-0 convincing win. This was the first time that the club had reached round three of the national cup competition and gave a little more cause for optimism for a successful season.

The League form picked up immediately and these wins and a series of home draws in the cup gave the club a run of 13-games unbeaten until mid-February. Third round opponents in the Powergen Junior Vase saw another easy home win of 34-0 against Trinity Guild RFC. Then in the Midland Round the club had to introduce crowd control and access measures to a ground that had open access for many years. Large crowds were starting to flock to home games, the Shropshire Star and BBC Radio Shropshire were looking for interviews and weekly progress reports – momentum was slowly building. West Bridgford RFC from Nottingham area were round-4 opponents, who must have wondered where they had arrived!!! A stunning 24-7 victory in the late afternoon sunshine of late November sent them home defeated. The excitement of the ‘cup run’ started to generate offers of sponsored clothing, equipment and travel from local business eager to help. Everyone wanted to speak to the players who devoted much more of their time to training, practicing and being interviewed. The performances enthused the next generation of youngsters and the sport in the area had a boost.

The only negative impact of this building successful run was the detrimental effect on the 2nd XV matches. Led by Andrew ‘Daisy’ Davies there were just five games before Christmas and one afterwards. This was not due to a lack of players, but instead willingness for everyone to support the 1st XV and when they were playing EVERYONE wanted to watch, not play!!! Mid December saw another home draw in the fifth round and a visit from University of Derby RFC, surely a severe test of the ‘aging squad’ against a team of fit students, but this is when the pitch really helped!! Without width, the pace of the visitors outside backs was negated. The winter weather made the middle section a quagmire, not conducive to a running game. Possession of the ball was crucial, so Cleobury were able to impose their game plan and in a hard-fought forward grind, 4-tries from forwards and 3-conversions produced a 26-7 victory. Christmas had arrived and the club were still in the RFU Powergen Junior Vase!!!

Yet another home draw in round-6 saw Sunderland RFC make the long journey south as crowd control measures imposed by RFU rules during these late stages of this competition meant charging entrance fees were required, programmes were produced, people were organising their diaries and social calendars around the matches and kick off times. Again, the visitors were more than a little scathing of the facilities on offer, which only served to motivate the home team even more. Obviously used to quite a high standard of Rugby they had done some research on the pitch and had opted for an appropriate ‘game plan’, which produced a very close score line and some ‘squeaky bum’ occasions. The scoring was extremely even and only a late penalty for the home side confirmed a narrow 17-12 win for a quarter final place.

These cup encounters were interspersed with league games as the regular trips back and forth to Coventry were taking their toll. As the ONLY pitch on the site this temporary facility had been well used by Lacon Childe School for curriculum lessons, after school practices and home school games. In addition, by early February this pitch had also hosted 5-league games, the 5-cup matches and 2-Second XV matches. There were even rumours of sightings of a Hippopotamus near the centre, but that might have been an alcohol induced sighting.

Pressure on the use of the pitch and tiredness of the players meant that encounters in the North Midlands Cup were forfeited and the Shropshire competition was delayed until the end of the season. Narrow victories were scraped, and momentum was not lost. Everyone wanted to put the extra effort in against the side chasing the ‘Twickenham Dream’, but at the same time asking – ‘can you do it?’

The draw was made for the Quarter Final and incredibly another home tie was awarded, this time against a side from Birmingham as Old Saltleians RFC had also won through to this stage of the competition. Though the day dawned cold, but with a clear blue sky and very sunny, that even had a drying effect on the surface, but you can imagine the look on the faces of the Old Salt players as they arrived and viewed the venue for a Quarter Final of a national competition!!!! The game was a dour forward struggle from start to finish with no side looking like gaining the upper hand and at 0-0 at the final whistle, extra time was inevitable. Early in the first period of 10mins, a penalty was converted by the home team on the halfway line - not that spectacular distance given the dimensions of the pitch!!! The game looked to be going the way of the home team, but Old Salts threw everything they had at one last assault and pressure was bound to tell. As injury time approached the visitors were awarded a penalty inside the 22-metre line within easy kicking distance, but a stunning captaincy decision was to kick for the corner to attempt a clear win and not take the relatively easy 3-points on offer. Cleobury were aware that in the event of a draw it would have been the away team progressing to the Semi Final. Relieved at the decision the home team grew in confidence and defended their lines with tremendous determination and fortitude to see out time. The final whistle was greeted with pandemonium and the town celebrated!!! The euphoria around the town over the next three weeks was palpable. The Cup run was bringing the town together with those not normally interested in the sport eager for information and willing to don their ‘wellies’ to watch a game.

Following the initial away win the club had benefited from SIX-consecutive home draws. Surely it could not happen again in the Semi Final? Well it did not. This time it was a trip to the Barn Elms Sports Fields in Richmond, in Southwest London to face London Exiles RFC on the opposite side of the river Thames from Fulham FC. In complete contrast to the quagmire of the home facilities, this time a large flat and hard pitch awaited, and was to prove a severe test to the tenacity, determination and game plan of the Cleobury team. The exodus of people from Cleobury to London that day stunned the sparse home crowd as the flats of Richmond were turned red and green. Apart from the team bus, there were three additional coaches and many more travelling by car.

It was obvious from the early exchanges that London Exiles possessed a potent attacking three quarter line and pace out wide – an excellent game plan IF they have the ball!!!! An early unconverted try from a kick to the corner, catch and drive, gave the visitors hope and settled nerves, while putting the home team on the back foot. Desperate defending was required as the Full Back and Wingers chased from corner to corner. Quite how this ‘aging team’ had the energy to cover every blade of grass after such a hard season remains unknown, but the spirit of togetherness and determination shone through. A double ‘set back’ arrived either side of the break as the home Centre dashed through to score and then the winger went over, and two excellent conversions meant that Cleobury trailed 5-14. A penalty mid-way through the half reduced the arrears to a single score, but the visitors detected a touch of complacency, which hardened the resolve and after a sustained period of attack for the final 15mins saw a dramatic injury-time try near the posts gave an easy conversion and a scarcely believable 15-14 victory in a nerve-wrenching match. TWICKENHAM - here we come!!!!! (See attached article from Shropshire Star)

After this stunning performance and the huge Cleobury crowd filled the local pubs, some of the shell-shocked home players were asking themselves – ‘how did this happen?’ Then the most defining moment of the cup run occurred. The entire Cleobury Mortimer RFC squad resplendent in black trousers, black shirts, green jackets and club tie walked calmly down the road and into the pub together. The supporters were enthusiastic in their applause and recognition of a fantastic achievement.

To put the achievement in perspective, Cleobury Mortimer RFC are the first club from Shropshire to reach a Twickenham final and only the fifth from North Midlands after Moseley (three John Player Cup final appearances) Malvern (who won the Vase in 1994), Dudley Kingswinford (beaten Intermediate Cup finalists in 1999) and Solihull (who were losing finalists in last season's Vase).

Back to business – it was difficult to bring expectation levels back to earth for the more mundane league encounters in the build up to the big day in April 2006. As with FA Cup finalists, the intensity dropped as players’ feared injury might rob them of the big day and in four delayed league matches a narrow win in the first was followed by a narrow defeat to Stourbridge Lions and 2-defeats, on consecutive Saturdays to Droitwich RFC, who were smarting from a Round-5 knockout in the PowerGen Junior Vase.

The other tradition of FA Cups was honoured in the weeks leading up to the event with the team recording a Cup Final song, their local interpretation of ‘Nelly the Elephant’ which were all sold locally. You can view on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZFKy5xFB-s&t=33 much enjoyed by all involved. Eventually the big day arrived and to quote the article entitled ‘Cleobury Mortimer set for Twickenham exodus’ posted on the RFU website:

“It will be a case of 'will the last person to leave, please switch the lights off' in the Shropshire market town of Cleobury Mortimer this weekend. Around a quarter of the town's 4,000 inhabitants are expected to trek to Twickenham to watch the local rugby club take on Dorking in the final of the Powergen Junior Vase on Sunday April 9 (10.30am).

"It's been absolutely amazing the amount of interest our cup run has generated," said Cleobury captain Paul Harding. “They have put green and red bunting up around the town, everywhere the players go there are people wishing us well and we have sold all our 1,000 ticket allocation for the game. When you consider that population of the town is only 4,000, that's astonishing. It's really captured everyone's imagination and we will probably have to put up notices saying: 'will the last ones to leave please turn the lights out!'”

Skipper Harding went on to say: "There's a lot of excitement which is understandable. For a small club like ours to be playing at Twickenham is an amazing achievement. It's an occasion that we are going to enjoy. Yes, having got there, we want to win. But it will be a great day out. We intend to stay to watch the Powergen Cup final between London Wasps and Llanelli, have a few drinks and then make our way back home. If we win the Vase there will be one hell of a party in Shropshire when we get back."

The team and committee set out on the Saturday afternoon and stayed in a Travelodge overnight. Then an additional eight coaches went down early on Sunday morning with many other supporters making their own way there on the day.

The article mentions the remarkable success of this occasion just 14-years after an impromptu game between two rival pubs formed the club. Also, crucially that all the players are based locally, all but two went to Lacon Childe School, where the home venue can be found and that this cup run has made them the focus of the community. As the first club from Shropshire to reach a Twickenham final and only the fifth from North Midlands after Moseley (three John Player Cup final appearances) Malvern (who won the Vase in 1994), Dudley Kingswinford (beaten Intermediate Cup finalists in 1999) and Solihull (who were losing finalists in last season's Vase).

Sunday 3rd April 2006 arrived and after a look round the ground and the traditional team photo at RFU HQ (see attached photo), kick off time arrived. The crescendos of noise from the ‘green and red army’ made the 82,000 capacity Twickenham seem full!! Unfortunately, that was when the fairytale ended!!! The team relied on the cunning kicks of their young enthusiastic and energetic fly half and the powerhouse ball carrying of their No-8, but the occasion got to most of the team and the early action handed the initiative to Dorking RFC. The kick off went straight into touch, then the resultant scrum Cleobury pushed Dorking off the ball and picked up at the base. Alas, it was dropped forward and somehow the stuffing was knocked out inside the first 2-minutes. The singing and cheering continued throughout, but Dorking had arrived with a cosmopolitan squad from several major Rugby playing nations and were obviously determined to use winning this final as a springboard to a leap up the RFU levels. Hopes were dashed when despite desperate defence, the running of the Blindside Flank Forward and the mobility of the opposition meant that they scored tries almost at will. Dogged determination was clearly not sufficient to give a creditable performance and honours went the way of Dorking by 46-3, but the signal of the successful penalty was louder than all the separate Dorking scores added together, but at that stage the score was well in to the 30’s and the game was lost.

Sadness surrounded the side of the pitch at the end and in the BBC video footage featuring the REM song ‘Everybody Hurts’ summed up the mood. The players dutifully thanked the mass ranks of Green & Red hoards, but with sheepish and embarrassed eyes for a poor performance, but in turn the cheers from the stands far outweighed those for the winners and were full of gratitude for an incredible run, fairytale and experience that we all shared. There was no blame and a collective celebration in victory as was a collective celebration in defeat as the players showered and moved in for the after-match meal and speeches, with most correspondence praising the achievement and even Dorking in their hour of triumph graciously acknowledging the commitment, determination and success of the ‘Twickenham’ run. (See attached full draw)

Names were deliberately not mentioned during the season because it was really a ‘club effort’, however, there were major contributions during the season, from Paul Harding as captain and having lost his place due to injury played most of the season in unfamiliar position on the Wing. The emergence of Allan Shields at Fly Half and as Vice-Captain was crucial with 207-points (13-tries, 32-conversions & 26-penalties), but James Manley proved the development of a potent Back Division with 14-tries from the Wing, aided by Colin Todd (10-tries), Paul Hulland (9-tries), Willie Bache and John Hulland with 8-tries each

Everyone associated with the club was involved in so many different ways. The Club Committee were tireless in their efforts at organising and supporting the players, the sponsors were excellent in their financial muscle, the town and the media correspondence, were all extremely supportive, but the players were the real stars. This club effort was first recognised at the Annual Awards Evening and Dinner Dance in May 2006; the ‘Clubman Trophy’ was awarded the ‘Entire Team of 2006’. In June 2006, the South Shropshire Sports & Leisure Advisory Group awarded the club their ‘Team of the Year’ trophy, only the third time in 6-years that a recipient was deemed worthy of this honour. Then in December 2006 the club were invited to send two representatives to the BBC Midlands Sports Awards at the National Motorcycle Museum near Solihull. The Gala Evening saw the club beat Sutton Coldfield Hockey Club and Tettenhall Tigers Volleyball Club to the prestigious Amateur Club of the Year award. Captain Paul Harding and Vice-Captain Allan Shields went to represent the club and accept the honour.

The web link is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/midlandstoday/features/2006/sportsawards06.shtml

Shropshire Star report ‘A real day to remember’: http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/01/04/a-real-day-to-remember/

Anyone who doubts that fairytales really can happen need look no further than Cleobury Mortimer Rugby Club for proof that anything is possible.

The small market town – population less than 3,000 – has hardly made a splash on the sporting scene over the years, but all that changed in 2006 as their little-known rugby club defied all the odds to reach a Twickenham final.

Butchers, builders, candlestick makers, Cleobury had the lot – but they all also had a steely determination to succeed that was to see them grace the home of English rugby.
The final itself might be described as something of an anti-climax – Dorking beat our Shropshire heroes 46-3 in the showpiece final of the Junior Vase after all – but the true achievement was just in getting there.

“Now it’s all done and dusted, you look back and can hardly believe what it was all about,” said skipper Paul Harding, who can still scarcely take in that he led a side out onto the most famous rugby pitch in the world. “We just went along with it at the time, but you look back now and think that it was actually quite an achievement. I was looking at a scrap book the other night and flicking through all the cuttings and it brought it all back. We talk about it all the time within the club, both the players and the committee. It was an unforgettable experience and it was a great team that got us there.”

“The thing that stood out for me was when we won the semi-final against London Exiles,” Harding admitted. “When the final whistle went we knew we’d achieved our goal and got there,” he recalled.
“At Twickenham we had a great day but we didn’t really perform to our potential. There were people making errors on the day that hadn’t made errors all season and I think it was a case of a few pre-match nerves. If we’d got an early score it might have balanced things out and they might have approached the game in a different way, but it wasn’t to be.”

The season had ended with the so much to celebrate and with home matches played on a temporary pitch. The start of the following season was to see first use of the new pitch and the old ‘quagmire’ was dug up and re-graded for future use.