Wanderers
“My own journey started with
Wanderers as early as 1978, the year I was
born! As young kids, we were allowed to
explore the grounds in Merrion Road and
spent hours playing with other kids out on
the pitches every Saturday! Refreshments
were sent on the hour and usually consisted
of a bottle of coke and a packet of crisps.
For the matches that were on the main pitch
in Lansdowne Road (of which there were
many back then), following the game the
stadium would become our playground and
kids could be seen scoring tries under the
posts and in front of the south terrace until
darkness fell!
My own playing journey began at the
age of 6 (1984) when I joined mini rugby
on a Sunday morning with the club. Sunday
mornings were always a hive of activity
around the club with the highlight being the
regular visits of the Wanderers internationals.
I fondly recall, after a Wanderers league
match in Lansdowne Road, Philip Mathews
giving me a pair of his playing socks following
the 1sts game against Lansdowne. Whilst
an autograph, or even a selfie, would be
the done thing nowadays, back then it was
getting something tangible such as shorts
or socks from one of the greats!
I continued to play Club rugby up to
age 10 with Wanderers Minis at which point
I switched to school rugby and played with
Sandford Park in Ranelagh. I continued to
support Wanderers 1st team and would
often attend matches with Dad on a
Saturday afternoon. Following my selection
for Leinster Schools in 1996/97, I received
a congratulatory note from Mickey Mac
which reminded me that my family had a
long history with the club and that I would
be welcome again to play the following year
at under 19 and 20 level. Not one to say
no to the great Mickey Mac, the following
two years I played 2nd row with the 19’s and
20’s until sadly a back injury meant I was no
longer able to play.
Due to family and work commitments,
the extent of my involvement in the club is
currently limited to the role of active club
Just Eat would like to congratulate Wanderers FC for
house member. I have no doubt that this will
change in time but for now, I am happy to
150 Years of Excellence and wish them all the best for the season.
support from the side-lines.
The first XV have had a strong first half
of the season. Given this is the 150th year
for our club, there is a noticeable urgency and determination in the 1st XV’s performances this year. Currently we are lying 2nd behind Malahide but I
do feel we will get the opportunity to leapfrog them in the coming weeks. At worst, a playoff position is well within our grasp. Given 2018/19 was such
a tough year for the club, my gut tells me that this is the year!!
My kids, Nick 6 and Luke 10, have not yet started to play rugby. I guess they haven’t caught the rugby bug just yet. I introduced my eldest son Luke
to mini rugby in Wanderers at age 7 but I think it was a bit premature for him. We haven’t pushed him to return just yet but they both often attend the
1st XV games with me on a Saturday afternoon. I think they are happy observers for now but I have no doubt they will follow in myself and my father’s
footsteps as Wanderers players in the not so distant future!
It’s a huge year for Wanderers and the celebrations so far this year have been nothing short of excellent! Being only the 2nd club in Ireland to have
reached this milestone, The Gala ball in November was a particular highlight and was thoroughly enjoyed by over 1,000 members and guests. The
celebrations that night reminded us as a club of the key role Wanderers have played in Irish Rugby as a whole. Wanderers is a club steeped in tradition.
Whilst many of the great Wanderers have sadly passed away, it’s great to see the generations coming through to pick up where their parents and even
grandparents left off.
My Father was a member of Wanderers for 54 years and was a very proud Wanderer. Over that time he had many roles in the club; a player, a
coach, a manager and occasional referee to mention just a few! Wanderers was his 2nd home and most of his great friendships came from Wanderers
and the wider rugby circle.
Sadly, in Dec 2018, and mid-way through his year as Wanderers FC president, he died unexpectantly. The support that myself, Amanda, Sally and
my mum Ann received from the club was unbelievable. In a time of such sadness and sorrow, to know that the members and rugby club fraternity was
there to support us was wonderful. For that friendship and support, our family will be forever grateful.
Wanderers is a Rugby Club run by, and for the benefit of, it’s members. It is important that we all remember this through the good times and bad.
The executive, various committees, coaches, managers and players all deserve our thanks. A special note must also go to Fergus and his team for their
smooth running of the day to day functions of the club.”
Jonathan Roche-Kelly
www.rugbyclubmag.com
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