Club
The 1975 Canada Tour in verse
Playing on the wing on the Canada Tour was Danny Hanson. Danny wrote a poem for the 45 year reunion and now, two years later, it is shared here.
Canada Tour
It’s May ‘75 and The Champions are on tour
To a place that few of them have been before.
Over the Pole and The Prairies to Canada
The destination Vancouver in British Columbia.
And who were they in this brave team
Playing for club and national esteem?
The men up front, a formidable pack
No strength or energy did they ever lack.
A front row of Dumper, Chris, Jamie and Brian
Backed up by Alastair, Fitzy and Norman.
In the engine room, Mawler and Clive
And our rookie, Thommo, at Number 5.
Our Captain, Budge, in the back row
Leading us all with his customary brio.
Supported by four more of this august body
Simon, Foster, Andy and the tearaway Toddy.
Dodger and Guy at 9 and Gareth at 10,
The controlling influences on our band of men.
When to kick and when to pass
Is what defines these men of class.
Cools and Chads, centres of attention
The opposition viewing them with apprehension.
And then to the pretty boys out wide
The icing on the cake of this wonderful side.
Pagey and Towers, Butty and Dan
Running in tries as fast as they can.
4 matches played and 4 matches won
A tribute to skill and dedication.
As well as the Spray 7s - what a lark!
In the beautiful setting of Stanley Park.
And what of those who are no longer here
To join us in a celebratory wine or beer?
To Norman, Alistair and Guy our memory trends
As we raise our glasses to absent friends.
And who organised this august band of men
It was of course our manager, Ken.
A man most inclined to sup
Especially at an official ‘piss up’
So here we are 47 years later
What is the common denominator?
Shared experiences, camaraderie, a sense of fun
A team together, matches won.
Older we are but with eyes still bright
In memories let us continue to delight.
Our friendships we must never lose
For we are forever ‘The Bedford Blues’.
Dan Hanson , February 2020
