Drybrook Rugby Club

In the build-up to the 1st XV home match with Newent (10th December), the club will be honouring one of their own following an extraordinarily outstanding contribution over many years. The RFU will be sending a delegation down to present Tom Ward with a special memento to mark his astonishing 70 years on the Drybrook committee – yes 70 years!

We hope that as many of you as possible will be at the presentation which will take place at 1pm on 10th December, to say a big thank you to Tom for all that he has done for our club.

The event will be low key (Tom’s wishes) – just a few quick words and photographs followed by a buffet and drinks.

Tom Ward
Tom, now 85 years old, has been a member of the Drybrook RFC committee since 1946/7 – an incredible 70 years. Tom comes from a well-known Drybrook RFC family and had 6 brothers who all played for the club. Unfortunately Tom suffered a freak accident with a cricket ball when a young boy that not only damaged his leg, but a subsequent infection led to permanent mobility problems which meant he was never able to play the game himself.
At the age of 15 he joined the 5 strong Drybrook RFC committee. The club had headquarters at the local pub back then had very few helpers or resources. One of Tom’s first jobs was to carry buckets of hot water from a house across the road to help heat the bath as the pub only had one small stove at the time.
Since those early days Tom has remained very loyal to the club and has not only witnessed first-hand the many changes and improvements but has been very active in a lot of them.
Among his roles at the club Tom has at various times been President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Membership Secretary, Chief Maintenance Man and Trustee. He is a life member of Drybrook RFC and still turns up every week to empty the gaming machines. His prowess as a plumber has been invaluable to

the club and he has been instrumental in countless maintenance projects over the years, saving the club a great deal of money.
Tom rarely misses a Drybrook 1st XV game and has seen both his son Patrick and grandson Lee become captains of the club.
He has taken less of hands on role of late but is still a member of the club committee where his extensive knowledge of everything related to the club, grounds and buildings is invaluable