50th ANNIVERSARY CLUB POEM
At the 50th Anniversary Dinner, Stu Reid (club president 2006 - 2015) wrote a poem he'd written, designed specifically for the people who were there, but that also captured a lot of the clubs history. Please enjoy...
Here’s to 50 more…
As a 5 year old kid I recall, picking up sticks and stones
Way back with no internet, or even mobile phones
We ALL helped shape Jubilee Park, to the great place it is now
From farmer’s paddocks and grazing fields, filled with sheeps and cow
It developed from a one field club, we used to use that old wooden shed
And many people worked real hard, helped the club to move ahead
We’ve had some great times over the years, even games with a big crowd
We have the best pitches and grounds in town, and we should all be extremely proud
We enter the Chatham Cup Tournament, each and every year
With no expectations to win it, we make that pretty clear
We even gave the Mainland League, a try several years ago
But the guy who convinced us to do it was caught, it wasn’t entirely his own dough
But over the years and why we stand out, from all of the rest
And the reason why we perhaps think, that we’re, one of the best
Is because of the people we’ve had here, like our ambassador JB
The All White and the Phoenix, that great guy Jeremy Brockie
And now there’s Emily Jensen, a tall girl with a big smile
She plays for New Zealand as well, and has heaps of natural style
And we even had Peter Simonsen, a few times over the years
Who made the ’82 World Cup side, one of the regions true pioneers
But of course it’s the lesser knowns, that we all tend to forget about
They’re the real club hero’s, who shaped what we’re all about
So here’s where I attempt to remember, at least who’s here tonight
As well as some other characters – and yes Murray, I know time is tight
There’s just been so many people involved, in our long club history
So I apologise if I forget someone, as a lot is a mystery
Firstly to those who give us the most, all our wonderful coaches
Junior and Senior we really appreciate, your fantastic positive approaches
Then of course there’s our patron, ex-president, even owned an MG
Roy Oddy you are a superstar, but why were your dogs all called Sandy?
And my own dear dad Blair Reid, who was a true Richmond die-hard
Who even after retired Murray Leaning, still showed him the odd red card
And there have been others like the one, they used to call the ‘Big Yin’
The very tall and late Brian Dowding, who always played to win
And those in the 80’s era, all those late nights and party goers
Ronny McKay, Nigel Kilpatrick, and of course Mr Tony Blowers
And then there’s the many faces, who’ve looked after our kitchen and bar
Such an integral part of the club, each one is truly a star
Jackie, Scotty and Lisa, Sue and the Angies give up their day
And don’t forget Ernie and his dear mate Ray Kerslake, who recently passed away
Phil Thompson who still claims to be great, talking about his goal scoring
But when will he finally realise, that we now find it all rather boring
And what about one of our oldest players, still in the red and black Kit
We’ll forever hear Colin Fern shouting, his now famous words… “Hold It”
And our own traveller, runner and writer, Matthew Watson is his name
But was his game against Wynton Rufer, his only real claim to fame?
And the Pearless family, the kids Mum Cindy, and our very own Hugh
With his famous annual pig on a spit, which reminds me Hugh… that must be due
And we’ve had our share of great goal keepers, Levi and Blaise are there now
But we also had Peter Slotemaker once, who too can take a bow
And Karl Numan who we’ll never forget, brilliant but a complete mad man
How on earth did he avoid each week, getting another match day ban?
And those we could talk about all night long, each with a big yahoo
Like Barbara Dowding and Bex Malthus, and of course James Susu-kahu
The Fenemors and Steve Bignall, Matt Campbell and Aaron Kennaway
The Edwards twins, Boothie and of course, Bernadette and Firooz Zadeh
The du Feu’s and the Langtons, the Morris’s and the Packers
The Rennies and the Barnes, and all the 3rd and 4th div hackers
Anthea Campbell, Alan and Marion, Judy Wells and John and Jan White
Players like Creswell Hollis Maisey Gaskin and Bainbridge, our future’s looking bright
The Brownlies, Mitchells and Ditzels, Sarah and AJ Board
The Clarks and the Delaney’s, and a guy called William Ford
The Colletts and the Bejema’s, and a couple of guys called Lee
Fa’arodo, Totori, Fifii, Ole-a, Nevin… and of course Batram Suri
The Senherts and the Hensleys, the Wehners and the Grangers
Thomas’s, Dillons and the Merrions, and each year those back packing strangers
The Hamsons and the Jordans, even the Grimmetts go way back
And the English lads like Joe, Jordy, Ben and Sam, who also wore red and black
Then there’s Paul and Beth Brockie, the Millsons and the Goodyears
The Scammells and the Kemptons, and even Cath Ayers
The Muirs and the Harveys, the Netto’s and the Phipps
And Marty Keetley who helps with the Stags, and our under 19 trips
Don and Moira Thomson, the Haslers, Mick and Jo Reilly
The Waddingtons and the Mirfins, the Olykans and Ken Wyllie
The Davis’s and the Counsells, and now Kim and Chris Jack
And have you seen the size of Chris? He’d make an awesome centre back
The Freemans and the Swans, and the Sprig and Fern Girls
The Noakes and the Duncans, and we even had the Searles
And some last names that are long, which no doubt we will discuss
Like Bill Szentpeteri and Clay Wilhelmus
Lew Higgison and the Balcombes, and the many other links
Like the Gordons and the Kent-Johnstons, and even Gary Hinks
Russell Blowers, Alan Roberts, and the Cousins give us a chuckle
And of course the Sibbalds and Wiki Tafia, Heiko Wetzel and Jon Buckle
There’s people like Ian Hull, still providing games with a ref
And of course our governing bodies, Mainland and Clive from NBF
And all the people who support our club, each in their own wonderful manner
Like all of our fantastic sponsors and people, like Ken and Tracy Banner
And over our history we’ve made mistakes, and no doubt we’ll make some more
But when we do we’ll carry on, because what more can we ask for
This club is about the characters, the volunteers and the people that play
We all do our best and simply attempt, to represent the club each day
So tonight we celebrate our club, and the people who love the sport
I’d like to thank each and every one of you, for your incredible amount of support
And to finish up on a football note, with words like shoot and score
We’ve been around for about 50 years now, so raise your glass…
Cause here’s to 50 more…
As a 5 year old kid I recall, picking up sticks and stones
Way back with no internet, or even mobile phones
We ALL helped shape Jubilee Park, to the great place it is now
From farmer’s paddocks and grazing fields, filled with sheeps and cow
It developed from a one field club, we used to use that old wooden shed
And many people worked real hard, helped the club to move ahead
We’ve had some great times over the years, even games with a big crowd
We have the best pitches and grounds in town, and we should all be extremely proud
We enter the Chatham Cup Tournament, each and every year
With no expectations to win it, we make that pretty clear
We even gave the Mainland League, a try several years ago
But the guy who convinced us to do it was caught, it wasn’t entirely his own dough
But over the years and why we stand out, from all of the rest
And the reason why we perhaps think, that we’re, one of the best
Is because of the people we’ve had here, like our ambassador JB
The All White and the Phoenix, that great guy Jeremy Brockie
And now there’s Emily Jensen, a tall girl with a big smile
She plays for New Zealand as well, and has heaps of natural style
And we even had Peter Simonsen, a few times over the years
Who made the ’82 World Cup side, one of the regions true pioneers
But of course it’s the lesser knowns, that we all tend to forget about
They’re the real club hero’s, who shaped what we’re all about
So here’s where I attempt to remember, at least who’s here tonight
As well as some other characters – and yes Murray, I know time is tight
There’s just been so many people involved, in our long club history
So I apologise if I forget someone, as a lot is a mystery
Firstly to those who give us the most, all our wonderful coaches
Junior and Senior we really appreciate, your fantastic positive approaches
Then of course there’s our patron, ex-president, even owned an MG
Roy Oddy you are a superstar, but why were your dogs all called Sandy?
And my own dear dad Blair Reid, who was a true Richmond die-hard
Who even after retired Murray Leaning, still showed him the odd red card
And there have been others like the one, they used to call the ‘Big Yin’
The very tall and late Brian Dowding, who always played to win
And those in the 80’s era, all those late nights and party goers
Ronny McKay, Nigel Kilpatrick, and of course Mr Tony Blowers
And then there’s the many faces, who’ve looked after our kitchen and bar
Such an integral part of the club, each one is truly a star
Jackie, Scotty and Lisa, Sue and the Angies give up their day
And don’t forget Ernie and his dear mate Ray Kerslake, who recently passed away
Phil Thompson who still claims to be great, talking about his goal scoring
But when will he finally realise, that we now find it all rather boring
And what about one of our oldest players, still in the red and black Kit
We’ll forever hear Colin Fern shouting, his now famous words… “Hold It”
And our own traveller, runner and writer, Matthew Watson is his name
But was his game against Wynton Rufer, his only real claim to fame?
And the Pearless family, the kids Mum Cindy, and our very own Hugh
With his famous annual pig on a spit, which reminds me Hugh… that must be due
And we’ve had our share of great goal keepers, Levi and Blaise are there now
But we also had Peter Slotemaker once, who too can take a bow
And Karl Numan who we’ll never forget, brilliant but a complete mad man
How on earth did he avoid each week, getting another match day ban?
And those we could talk about all night long, each with a big yahoo
Like Barbara Dowding and Bex Malthus, and of course James Susu-kahu
The Fenemors and Steve Bignall, Matt Campbell and Aaron Kennaway
The Edwards twins, Boothie and of course, Bernadette and Firooz Zadeh
The du Feu’s and the Langtons, the Morris’s and the Packers
The Rennies and the Barnes, and all the 3rd and 4th div hackers
Anthea Campbell, Alan and Marion, Judy Wells and John and Jan White
Players like Creswell Hollis Maisey Gaskin and Bainbridge, our future’s looking bright
The Brownlies, Mitchells and Ditzels, Sarah and AJ Board
The Clarks and the Delaney’s, and a guy called William Ford
The Colletts and the Bejema’s, and a couple of guys called Lee
Fa’arodo, Totori, Fifii, Ole-a, Nevin… and of course Batram Suri
The Senherts and the Hensleys, the Wehners and the Grangers
Thomas’s, Dillons and the Merrions, and each year those back packing strangers
The Hamsons and the Jordans, even the Grimmetts go way back
And the English lads like Joe, Jordy, Ben and Sam, who also wore red and black
Then there’s Paul and Beth Brockie, the Millsons and the Goodyears
The Scammells and the Kemptons, and even Cath Ayers
The Muirs and the Harveys, the Netto’s and the Phipps
And Marty Keetley who helps with the Stags, and our under 19 trips
Don and Moira Thomson, the Haslers, Mick and Jo Reilly
The Waddingtons and the Mirfins, the Olykans and Ken Wyllie
The Davis’s and the Counsells, and now Kim and Chris Jack
And have you seen the size of Chris? He’d make an awesome centre back
The Freemans and the Swans, and the Sprig and Fern Girls
The Noakes and the Duncans, and we even had the Searles
And some last names that are long, which no doubt we will discuss
Like Bill Szentpeteri and Clay Wilhelmus
Lew Higgison and the Balcombes, and the many other links
Like the Gordons and the Kent-Johnstons, and even Gary Hinks
Russell Blowers, Alan Roberts, and the Cousins give us a chuckle
And of course the Sibbalds and Wiki Tafia, Heiko Wetzel and Jon Buckle
There’s people like Ian Hull, still providing games with a ref
And of course our governing bodies, Mainland and Clive from NBF
And all the people who support our club, each in their own wonderful manner
Like all of our fantastic sponsors and people, like Ken and Tracy Banner
And over our history we’ve made mistakes, and no doubt we’ll make some more
But when we do we’ll carry on, because what more can we ask for
This club is about the characters, the volunteers and the people that play
We all do our best and simply attempt, to represent the club each day
So tonight we celebrate our club, and the people who love the sport
I’d like to thank each and every one of you, for your incredible amount of support
And to finish up on a football note, with words like shoot and score
We’ve been around for about 50 years now, so raise your glass…
Cause here’s to 50 more…