The world famous Adelphi hotel in Liverpool, host in the past to many distinguished gatherings added another milestone to its heritage Saturday, 10th November, 2007. The 150th anniversary of the oldest open Rugby Club in the world, Liverpool St Helens, was the occasion with over 300 players and members of the Liverpool and St Helens clubs, past and present, gathering to commemorate such a historic event.
Guests, headed by the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside and leaders of Liverpool and St.Helens Councils, heard from Brian Williams, Senior Vice President of the RFU; David Mathews, Vice President of the Liverpool Society of Referees; Richard McCullough LSH Past President, Maurice Parker, Immediate Past President of Lancashire and a stalwart of the Liverpool club’s first recorded opponents, Manchester; and were regaled by current LSH President Ray French.
The club’s contribution to England Rugby was also reflected at the gala dinner by the presence of former internationals from four different decades in Martin Regan, Ray French, Fran Cotton and Kevin Simms.
Appropriately enough the present day LSH side produced their best performance of the season earlier in the afternoon with a comprehensive demolition of Penrith.
Guests, headed by the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside and leaders of Liverpool and St.Helens Councils, heard from Brian Williams, Senior Vice President of the RFU; David Mathews, Vice President of the Liverpool Society of Referees; Richard McCullough LSH Past President, Maurice Parker, Immediate Past President of Lancashire and a stalwart of the Liverpool club’s first recorded opponents, Manchester; and were regaled by current LSH President Ray French.
The club’s contribution to England Rugby was also reflected at the gala dinner by the presence of former internationals from four different decades in Martin Regan, Ray French, Fran Cotton and Kevin Simms.
Appropriately enough the present day LSH side produced their best performance of the season earlier in the afternoon with a comprehensive demolition of Penrith.
Pictured from left to right: Fran Cotton (first capped in 1971), Ray French (1961) Martin Regan (1953), club chairman John Bithell, Brian Williams Senior Vice President RFU, and Kevin Simms (1985).
