Rugby Club ISSUE 85 | Page 79

St Peters Mike Thomas will be 81 years old next birthday. He took time out recently to speak to me before leaving home to head down to St Peters Rugby Club where he still cleans up and cuts the grass. It was a real privilege to speak to Mike who told me, “I was born next to St Peters church and went to the school where I had the honour of captaining the U13s. I progressed to senior rugby with my main playing position being number 10, being two footed was a great asset to my kicking ability helping me score over 3000 points for the club in a career spanning over forty years.” “Although 10 was my preferred position, I also played full back and number 8 which gave me a broader understanding of the game. I played my last game two days before my 60th birthday but have always kept involved and still help out with junior coaching to this day. I have a great love and respect for this great club which saved my life many years ago. “I had experienced a nervous breakdown that year and had been struggling as a 23 year old man with a young family so when I took advice that day to put my boots on and take to the pitch for a game of rugby it was the last thing I felt able to do but with some encouragement I managed to play and this helped greatly in setting me on the road to recovery. I was told I would be fine and that when I was out on the field playing I wouldn’t have the time to think – my friend was right. “Previously aged 18, I lost the top of my finger in a Wood Cutting Machine and took a year out to play football before returning and then of course had to do my national service where I played rugby for the Army in Germany where I was stationed with my Artillery regiment. “Dai Griffiths and the other coaches have brought a great amount of positives to the club this season and the feeling around St Peters is very positive. On a personal note, I can’t thank each and every member of the club for their kindness and support over all these years which continues to overwhelm me and I would like to wish everyone continued fun and friendship for many years to come!” Vince Nolan has had a long and historic connection with St Peters RFC. He told Rugby Club Magazine, “My grandad, on my mum’s side, played for St Peters, pre the 1st World War and was responsible for the rugby tours to Cork when they played Dolphin RFC, a formidable team in their day, latterly former Irish Coach, Declan Kidney played for Dolphin in the 1980s and early 90s.” “The Dolphin support that day were under the impression they were watching a fixture against Cardiff and when they discovered that it was St Peters RFC a riot of sorts ensued which involved the Garda being called. The match was eventually won narrowly by Dolphin and to appease the volatile crowd their entrance fee of thruppence had to be reimbursed to all of the Dolphin supporters. “My own dad, who served in the 2nd World War and played scrum half like myself, also captained the club in the early 50s and I am one of his four sons, each of us playing for the club over the years including Patrick who is still involved. My son Tom also played for St Peters as hooker and whilst working in Qatar was registered to play for their national team. “One of the memorable games he played in was against a very good Madagascar side who had previously excelled against Zimbabwe. Tom was expecting to play in front of 1000s, however his dreams were dashed as the match was held behind closed doors due to political tensions at the time. Tom now plays his rugby in Australia and when I was visiting him two years ago we met up with a little group of St Peters players and had some great fun in a little corner of Sydney. “St Peters are without doubt a great and historic club and the new coaches have brought a great amount of order, enthusiasm and structure to the club. Club stalwart Mike Thomas is not only a good friend but a great example of a straight-talking clubman who we all love dearly. He has helped me and my family on more than one occasion through difficult times as have many others. The club has an abundance of great characters with plenty of good humour and endless fun like physio Pedro Spiteri whose brother, as Cardinal of Malta, was in the running for pope not that long ago. “It’s great to see the players playing such exuberant rugby on the pitch, sometimes a little too risky for my blood pressure and possibly the coaches but nevertheless entertaining. Our team colours of Emerald and Black reflect our strong Irish heritage and the invaluable contribution of players and families from the past who built the club from nothing. “I can’t help but feel that because of this generational influence the future of St Peters Rugby Club is in safe hands as none of us could bear to do anything but instinctively protect this great rugby club and maintain its historic and valued position in Cardiff and throughout Welsh Rugby!” www.rugbyclubmag.com 79