WELCOME BACK!! HAPPY HOMECOMING!!
At last it's here – we've waited so long for this day when we can all be together, playing, watching, or having a beer or two! Of course our excitement is tempered by the difficult times we have all endured, some more so than others. To those of you who have suffered loss or struggled with other problems I offer our sympathy and best wishes for the future. If you have emerged relatively unscathed we are grateful and hope your good fortune continues.

One positive element to emerge from lockdown was the strong sense of togetherness it created throughout the club. We owe a huge debt gratitude to those of you who rolled up your sleeves and worked tirelessly to improve and maintain our facilities, creating new sources of income and generally lifting everyone's mood – who can forget the unique rendition of 'The 12 Days of Christmas' posted online?! It was a bizarre time but the club not only survived but emerged financially and collectively strong. As a token of our gratitude for everything you have done for the club, and to thank yoy most sincerely for all your efforts, we have designated today a Valuing Our Volunteers festival when we all celebrate the return of rugby to Acklam Park.

I make no excuse for again lauding the outstanding success of the crowdfunding initiative launched by Iain Bradford with the support of Paul Johnson. 'Secure Our Future' was aimed at providing the framework for the vital expansion of junior rugby. Over £30,000 was donated by over 400 supporters (including a grant of £6,000 from Sport England), for our Junior Section. It has already funded a variety of Rugby Camps, some improvements at Tollesby, regular coaching sessions in schools and more qualified coaches as well as more youngsters getting involved; we aim to further increase our profile in schools by funding a programme of regular on-site coaching sessions. A huge 'thank you' to everyone who contributed.

Unfortunately there are some notable absentees today. One such is Phil Horrocks-Taylor of the British Lions, England, Yorkshire and a Cambridge Blue, who sadly died at the beginning of the year. There will be a feature on Phil in our next programme.

Another person particularly noticeable by his absence is Terry Wesson, in whose memory we are pleased to dedicate today's match. Terry was a fixture standing at the gate, greeting everyone with a cheery welcome and a beaming smile. Sadly he died unexpectedly in June. Terry was 40 when he joined the club and played his first game of rugby. He quickly became a stalwart of the club, volunteering for anything and everything; he organised and sponsored the inaugural Cleveland 7s as part of our Grand Sports and Family Fun Galas, and was elected Clubman of the Year 2017, an award which henceforth will named the Terry Wesson Trophy. We are delighted that his family are with us to help to celebrate a life well spent. We are joined by Terry's wife Anne, their children Paul and Claire, Paul's wife Anne, Claire's husband Martin and their daughter Grace. Today is a particularly poignant and bitter-sweet occasion for them, as it is also Claire's birthday. In wishing her a Happy Birthday I hope she takes away good memories from today. There is a special tribute to Terry on page 21 which I urge you to read.

SENIOR RUGBY I am pleased to welcome the players and supporters of Leodiensian back to Acklam Park after a gap of 25 years. We faced one another regularly from 1956 to 1962, and although we won all six games they were close fought affairs with an average score of 12-4. We met once again in 1996, here, in the National Intermediate Cup, when we scored 13 tries – to those of you with memories like mine they were scored by Paul Manders (4), Richie Laviolette (3), Kev Whitaker (2), plus Jason Malcolm, Tony Lund, Jim Chapman, and Danny Poole. In 2019/20 Leos finished 11th with eight wins from 21 matches (but with 14 bonus points, a total only bettered by second and third placed Heath and Beverley) having been promoted the previous season, second to Goole. Our visitors began this campaign with an away game (at Dinnington), like us, and lost but earned a bonus point, like us.

Leos game finished 29-24, whereas ours was a little closer; we created good scoring chances but lost 13-10 at O Crossleyans. We were quickly 3-0 behind but rallied at the quarter stage when some great exchanges ended with Rhys scoring and Andrew converting to give us a 3-7 lead which we took into the second half. However Crocs were soon ahead again, crossing for the second, and final, try of the match. We then exchanged penalties to set up an exciting final ten minutes, but with both defences on top it remained the final score.

Meanwhile the Wasps blew away the cobwebs with an opening game at Houghton le Spring, narrowly losing but enjoying themselves. This week the 'A' team follow suit at Redcar and the Colts open their season against Ryton, here tomorrow. And note that in the Silver Trophy we have been drawn away at Ripon on 9 October, with a game at Wensleydale the prize.

JUNIOR RUGBY Last week our U14s kicked off their season on Friday night at West Hartlepool and won a competitive match ten tries to seven. Unfortunately Shaun's son Gabriel was injured with a suspected fractured elbow; the good news is it is not fractured. Sunday morning saw the gathered masses of children, for registration and a huge group photograph, followed by the U15s game against Stockton. Against one of the best sides in the area our lads came off second best. Although losing by quite a few the score didn't do us justice. Stockton deserved to win but it was one of those days when anything that could go wrong did so. But onwards and upwards – we live to fight another day!

CLUB NEWS Our thanks to Chris Andrews of Acklam Car Sales, who not only sponsors the club but has also provided three sets of senior shirts this season. His support is most welcome and is much appreciated. And then Andy Micklewrigh and Jen Stephenson went and got married – at last! Not that there was any hesitancy on their part, outside factors kept getting in the way!! We wish them a long and happy life together.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome Andy Williamson back to Acklam Park this afternoon. In charge of our first home game since lockdown he was also the man in the middle when we played Consett in March 2020, our last game before everything closed down – the first time I can remember having the same referee for consecutive home league games! Prior to Consett he was also in charge when we entertained North Shields that October. Andy has refereed for five years, before which he played at No8 for Ripon. He is a telecoms engineer; do you think a quiet word might persuade him to sort things out at Bilsdale?!

Our 150th Anniversary is fast approaching!
As the first step in what will be a truly memorable affair we have launched commemorative tins of sweets. They are a mere £5 a box, with all proceeds going towards the Juniors.
Go on – be a kingpin - grab a tin!