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The Don
THE DON’S DON - EDDIE GARDNER
How did you join?
Got dragged into playing rugby for 2s (soccer my game at the time)
having turned up for an afternoon of beer and tv at Chessington.
Loved it. Played full back for 1stXV following week. Became addicted
to social aspect of the game – never looked back.
First OW to buy you a drink?
Probably Neil Hegarty, Mike Parsons, Eddie Bell or Dave Laundy. Not
John Harrison.
What have you done at the OWs? Teams played for/ Positions held?
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Rugby Club Vice President, 1st XV Full back/Centre for 10 years,
2nd XV, 3rd X1, Rams, 7s. 1st XV Vice-Capt., Club Sec, Social Sec,
Football Club President, 1st X1, 2nd X1, lowest X1,
Cricket Club Vice President, 1st X1, 2nd X1, 3rd X1, 4th X1,
Poets, Sunday all teams. Colts Chairman, Colts Team Manager,
Golf Society President, Darts 1st team, Flat Green Bowls 1st
team, Boat Race (Yard of Ale) 1st team.
Eddie Gardner is the ultimate OW sportsman,
representing the club in about as many ways as
humanly possible. As son Alan will tell you, this
is simply a part of the Gardners’ respectful yet
competitive nature. •
During Eddie’s 43 year spell at the Old wimbledonians,
he has represented the OWRFC, OWFC and OWCC as
a sportsman and as a member of the comitee. Eddie’s
love for all sport truly reflects on his character. John Harrison
Favourite drink at the bar?
Tribute
Oldest friend at the OWs?
What would be one thing you’d change about the club?
Clubhouse upgrade. Relations/Communications between sections,
Dave Birella’s chair.
Best sportsperson you’d played with at the club?
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John Travers (RIP) (England u19s and Rosslyn Park),
Pete Ostling (Blackheath, Barbarians Hooker and Atrocity Belt
winner);
Brian Mullen (Clermont Montferrand – French Champions and
London Irish).
Best sporting memory?
Mine: Scoring 2 goals at Hampden Park, Glasgow playing for
Bradford Schoolboys against Glasgow in 1969; OR taking 3 wickets in
the last over for the Poets to beat Ewell in 2015ish, playing with son
Alan and a great bunch of reprobates; OR being the preferred kicker
ahead of Brian Mullen against Cranleighans (circa 1980).
General: Got to be Jonny Wilkinson drop goal to win Rugby World
Cup in 2003.
Best piece of advice from someone at OW’s?
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The OWFC 3rd team Surrey
cup final team in 1998 with Eddie
on the right side of the club captain
and son, Alan, on the left side.
www.oldwimbledonians.com
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“Go home” – various people over 44 years;
“Don’t believe anything Graham Turner tells you”– Harry
Groenen;
“Don’t believe anything Harry Groenen tells you” – Graham
Turner.
“Ah – don’t worry about how much it costs” – Paul Phillips (RIP)
about building the patio.
When did you feel proud to be an OW?
Everytime my kids and grandson represent the school and club; Also
1977 Middlesex 7s finals - lost narrowly to Wasps on t’telly.