A significant event happened at the Sutton club last Saturday 14th Sept 2019, as captured in the attached photographs; when Paul (Bodger) Rogers, with beard and shirt sleeves, stepped down after 15 excellent years as club president and handed the baton to long serving stalwart of the club Derek (Del) Green, who takes over the reigns to drive the club forward alongside youthful club chairman Geoff Fletcher.

The generous buffet, which was topped up through out the day and into the evening was provided by Club President Del Green, who used the occasion to also celebrate his 60th birthday, which fell earlier in the month. Happy Birthday Mr President!

Footnotes to pictures: from left to right; Bodger (left) congratulates Del on his appointment; Bodger & Del are congratulated by past presidents Peter Moore (left) and Dick Harris; and Chairman Geoff Fletcher joins the recent Presidents past and present.

Notes regarding retiring President Bodger:

Last Saturday Sutton Coldfield RFC not only offered an excellent game of rugby, not withstanding the disappointing result for the home faithful but it also provided the setting to commemorate the handover of the club presidency from outgoing President Paul (Bodger) Rogers to the new President Del Green, who will no doubt fill the Big Boots of Bodger, in his own special style.

Bodger, who moved to the club from Yardley & District RFC a club he helped to set up back in the day and incidentally he scored their very first try in 1971. He also played for Erdington several times in varying circumstances over the years but back in his student days Bodger played 1st XV rugby for Bath University for 4 years including a year as Captain and he got within two games of playing at Twickenham in the UAU Final, before finding his happy rugby home at SCRFC. Since settling at Sutton he has served the club faithfully for many years, first as a long standing player, who would play any position at any level, before taking on the Presidency. In the early days of his presidency he continued to play and he became that rare phenomenon of a Playing President.

He has served the club brilliantly as president for a full 15 years, representing the club at all the pre-match lunches at home and away and officiating on many other occasions in the bar and elsewhere. He has always supported the players and hopefully he will continue in his role as chairman of the club disciplinary committee. As he steps down he can be assured he carries the full respect, affection and admiration of the players at all levels within the club and we hope he continues to enjoy his time at the club for many years to come - continuing with his excellent Quiz Nights held in the Club bar the first Friday of every month. KO 7.30pm. All quizzers welcome with the proceeds going to a worthy local cause, the Norman Laud Association in Erdington, for which Paul has raised thousands of pounds over the years.

Thanks & best wishes to both Presidents, past & present.

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager