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	Mumbles Community Council help out

Photo of Acting Chairman, Mumbles Community Council, John Beach presenting a cheque for £2720 on loan for repairs to roof of Billy John clubhouse. Also in picture is Acting Chair of Grants Committee Cllr. Mrs. Lillian Pritchard and Mr.Clive Henson, Chairman Mumbles Rangers.

Contents

First installment of a two part history of Mumbles Rangers Boys Club

Mumbles Rangers Boys Club

Founded 1949 by Billy Johns B.E.M.

Mumbles Rangers Boys’ Club has a proud part to play in the history of our local community.

It is over half a century now since a young man named Billy Johns decided to found his own club. The late Billy Johns, B.E.M. lived with his devoted parents, George and Lillian Johns, in what was then 65 Higher West Cross Lane (now West Cross Road). From an early age Billy was confined to a wheelchair but that did not affect his enthusiasm for life, and in particular his commitment to the boys of West Cross and Mumbles. It was the tenacity and resolution of a quite remarkable young man backed by a devoted mother’s love and support which led to him first becoming treasurer, then secretary, then manager of “his” team. He wanted “his boys” to enjoy the sports which crippling handicaps made so cruelly impossible for him. Such was his remarkable talent for leadership, that when he decided to leave Oystermouth Youth Club in order to form his own team, almost all the boys left with him. In the first difficult years, Billy Johns not only held “his boys” together, but without resources of any kind, without premises of their own, he laid down the ground rules for all to obey. The response was a total commitment from as loyal a group of youngsters and as assorted a cross-section of young people as you could wish to find anywhere.

In those early post-war years Billy Johns became a familiar figure throughout Mumbles as “his boys” pushed his wheelchair to and from Underhill Park no matter how extreme the weather. His early wheelchair pushers were local boys Derek James, Keith Davies, David Palmer, Alan and Keith Ockwell, Doug Peachey and later Andy Cuthbert, Malcolm Jones, Bob Smith, Kevin McCkoskey, Alan Dawtry, Peter Aspel and countless others. If Mrs. Johns allowed you to push Bill for his haircut over at Silas Macey’s you’d arrived. Former Spurs and Wales footballer Terry Medwin married Silas’s daughter Joyce envied by all the local youngsters!

The present day club now boasts a vibrant membership of over 150 players, with over 100 youngsters aged between 6 years and 16 years. But the club would probably not have survived its first year had it not been for the inspirational leadership of a truly remarkable young man.

The year before the club’s formation Billy Johns was involved with Mumbles Youth team based at Oystermouth School, and boasting powerful local players like Jim Pressdee (later of Swansea A.F.C. and Glamorgan C.C.C. fame), Ray and John Hammacott, George Davies ( son of local Aunty Minnie), Shun Bowen From Newton.

Although Billy Johns admired the highly successful Mumbles Albion team and shared others’ pleasure occasionally watching their players beat the best in Swansea – locals like John Budge, Ben Hoppe, the Nash brothers, Peter Elias, Ray “Stormy” Fairweather, etc. he was determined that his boys would be different. They would be special. Ask any member of Mumbles Rangers today about their club - 50 plus years later - and they will answer as one.

“It’s a bit special”!

Early members like Terry O’Brien recall how they paid 8/6d each towards the cost of their jerseys, which were heavy and “seemed to be made from sail cloth”. In addition they paid 2/6d a week. Expensive? “No, it was our club. We were privileged, (best seats in the Tivoli Cinema were then 1/6d and a pint of Worthington beer cost 1/3d).

Their first season was a struggle but Billy Johns was a very determined man, and as his small band of youngsters increased, they learnt to admire, respect and finally revere their leader – and friend.

An early member recalls how in 1952 at a club meeting in Oystermouth Square at the British Legion Snooker Buildings and Dance Hall where Boots and C.J.’s are now ,the club celebrated that season’s success by approving Billy’s proposal to make 13 players life-members. Terry (Texas) Llewellyn (now Dr. R.T. Llewellyn, Cambridge Don), Alan Okwell, Clive Gammon, Terry O’Brien, Hylton Jolliffe, Roy Lloyd, Danny Sheehan, Bob Aspell, Johnny Davies, Vic Collier (later to become Squadron Leader), and the only 3 non-local Mumbles players – John (Nubs) Norman, Dai (“Mr. Rangers”) Davies and Brian Owen from Brynmill.

Over the club’s long history many have resided outside Mumbles, but almost all who have joined have found the club impossible to leave.

Those early years brought undreamed of success on the football field. But real success for Billy Johns was never to be confined to the football field. His dream was to build a clubhouse of their own. Looking back at those early days it seems incredible now that the very early club meetings had to be held in the open air on the side of a football pitch in Underhill Park, often on dark, damp windswept evenings. Soaked through, Bill would often be pushed home by his faithful band of youngsters promising them that “something will turn up”. He told them once – “If we have to we’ll build our own clubhouse”. In 1954 (until 1956) they did just that – on the site of a disused air-raid shelter in “the horses’ field” where Castleacre now stands. After 2 years the club was forced to look elsewhere and relocated to the old Badminton Hall at the top of Norton Road just below the Beaufort Inn.

The search for a clubhouse location has continued unabated for over half a century – including stays in premises in William Street, Oystermouth Square, Oddfellows Hall in the Dunns and currently in a hut built by club members in Underhill Park. Mumbles Rangers has earned the right to be allowed a Clubhouse commemorate with its contribution to the community of Mumbles. Possibly one day Billy Johns’s dream will firstly be fulfilled and the club’s great service to the community fully recognised.

Over the years, Billy Johns club has attracted a loyalty unrivalled by similar organisations. Ex-Cardiff and Wales footballer Steve Gammon was recommended by Billy to the then Cardiff Manager Bill Jones and Steve evens now returns for the club’s Annual Dinner every February, (this year to be held at the Pier Hotel, Mumbles on the 25^th February). The club has produced some outstanding footballers, unlucky not to do well at the highest level – Murray Crook, Phil Davies, Alan Lloyd, Geoff Riley, Derek Rees, Gary Hockley, John Lodge, Phil Vaughan and many more.

But it is the special camaraderie that will always be the hallmark of Mumbles Rangers, Fred Clement, Eric Nicholas, Jeff Fackrell, Keith Billington, Clive Henson, Des Criddle, Chris Parkin, Mike Isaac, Eddie Wade, Jack Thorne, Mike Harvey, Dave Harris, Clive Aston, Les Hockley, Neil Gray, Haydn Lewis can combine a total of over 300 years in service to Mumbles Rangers.

There must be a very special reason for that.

In 1959 the Daily Mirror proclaimed their nausea with the Queens’s New Years Honours list and invited their readers to vote for what they described as “exceptional people”. In January 1959 a panel comprising Lady Joan Braithwaite, Beryl Grey, the Duke of Bedford, Alec S. Dick and Mr. (later Sir) Matt Busby, decided that Billy Johns was their ‘Daily Mirror Man of the Year’. For the youth of Mumbles Billy Johns has been their man of the ‘Century’ and some form of posthumous recognition for this outstanding incredibly brave local man is felt by many to be long overdue. Perhaps a purpose-built clubhouse would be a fitting tribute and memorial to Billy Johns. The club still lives in the hope that someone one day will step forward to recognise and fund such a project?

The second part of this article, bringing you up to the present day will appear later in the year

Feb 2001

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Club House

The Billy Johns Clubhouse at Underhill Park was initially constructed entirely with funds raised by players and members at the time. Much of the land preparation and building was carried out by players. It was formerly opened by Frankie Vaughan O.B.E. on Monday 2nd September 1974.

Constructed of pre concreted sections it has had a new roof and much internal redecoration over the years. However it does show signs of wear. The club has actively sought grant aid for various projects for new buildings. Initially the plan was for a building situated in the 'Orchard' at the rear of the car park, later moved around the path from the car park and into a much more ambitious project that was to cost £1.4 million in conjunction with Mumbles Rugby Club. More recently on the site of the Victorian Pavilion in the centre of the park. All the projects met with the approval of the various local authority departments. Each time the competing struggle for grant aid has thwarted success. Over the last 6 years much of the effort has been in conjunction with our many friends and neighbours of Mumbles Rugby Club.

Our building is now in such a bad state of repair that further renovation would be throwing away precious capital and we need to consider whether the building will last until a further grant aid application is eventually approved or whether we should concentrate on our own smaller, less ambitious application for our requirements.

Any interested parties requiring further information or wanting to assist please contact Chris Parkin through our e-mail link.

enquiry@mumblesrangers.com

Alan Martin 5-a-side Tournament 2000

Results from the Annual Tournament

A very successful day was had by all the competing teams. The weather was fine for most of the time with only a couple of light showers. Thanks to all the 46 teams that took part and the good spirit in which the games were played. Great thanks go to George Kyrillou the tournament organiser and other committed club members, players and parents that helped on the day.

Alan Martin 5-a-Side Tournament

Thoughts from the Chairman

It started at before 7.00a.m, with goalposts being erected and the clubhouse swept out and floors mopped. Up went the gazebo and barbecue, the food then promptly arrived along with the Tournament Referees’ tent, which also had to be erected and this is where the ex-boy scouts came in. The loud speakers for the tournament referee were put in place and all electric cable placed out of reach. The barbecue was eventually lit, thanks to a solitary smoker within our midst, and the kitchen was now in full flow with coffee, tea and toast in plentiful supply, a wonderful sight to those early attenders who had missed their breakfast.

Teams arrived all to cue starting with the Under 11’s and 12’s, all had to be registered and briefed on the morning’s agenda and rules. Referees were assembled and the first teams were announced and play started well before the scheduled start time of 9.00am.

The barbecue was now well under way with Burgers and Sausages being cooked, there was one point when we thought it might get out of control, but superb handling of the situation and control was restored and not even a sausage or burger cremated. Business was brisk at the barbecue and in the kitchen and both “teams”never flagged.

The morning’s play was superb with all teams competing well and some quality football being played, the referees and runners performing their tasks well with all results being recorded and team positions calculated at the Tournament Referees’ Tent. The morning’s play ended around 2.15pm slightly behind time but the weather had held and although the team had now been at the crease (sorry wrong sport!) for over seven hours their enthusiasm was still well and truly alive and all eager to get on with the afternoons matches.

With the arrival of some cameo guests, all Vice Presidents, this proved how successful this event has become and was another lovely feature of this very special day. I was unsure whether the ex. Wales, Swansea and Spurs player turned up to support our organisor, a cockney and fellow Spurs supporter, or his own grandson. I fear the latter but a little of both for his heart is also with the Rangers I remember our first team years ago playing with 10 number nine shirts supplied by this same Welsh International.

The afternoon’s teams (Under 10’s and 13’s) were now arriving and although we were behind time, teams were again briefed with the calm authority that had prevailed during the morning session. The Barbecue was burning bright and kitchen and barbecue were in heavy demand to provide food and drinks for the spectators and hungry players and officials. Trays of food and drink were transported by our helpers, as sales increased.

The afternoon’s play again went well, although the weather was now a little unpredictable with some heavy showers. The teams and officials battled on to their credit and the football from all sides still managed to flow with some exciting matches and results, a credit to all involved. A quick manoeuvre of pitches thankfully pulled some time back, as the light faded as did the barbecue flame, not through choice or was it! But they had sold out of everything even ketchup, and had done a marvelous job. The kitchen, was still going strong and the introduction of French fries during the afternoon prove a great success, although some tears were shed over the lack of sauce, not from the team managers but from the ketchup bottle! With some exciting semi final matches going to extra time and penalties, demanding decisions had to be made by the tournament referee and officials, with both sides being consulted throughout. The flood light, (yes light!) was turned to face the only goal being used for the Penalty shoot out and yes we had a conclusion! The time now was approaching 7.30pm, presentations were made by our new President and the day was over for a very exhausted “team”.

Players, officials and supporters trundled home through the darkness some elated some rather dejected but all had been given the best of Rangers hospitality, well fed, watered, and sure to return next year to defend trophies won or improve on their performances of this year.

Did I say that the day was over, well not quite, for our very hard working “team”, some of whom had now been in action for 12 hours or more. Although some work had already been carried out to tidy up, as pitches which had become superfluous to needs were cleared and goalposts, corner flags, and concrete weights brought in, there was still work to be done. The kitchen staff had been on their feet all day and looked exhausted, the referees did not have any breath to blow that final whistle the match results co-ordinator were barely able to write or shout out scores. It was now after eight and not a mint in sight, but the job had been completed thanks to a mammoth “team” effort.

Congratulations must go, to firstly the organisor and his team, all team managers and players for providing an exciting days entertainment, the parents and supporters from refraining from running onto the soggy pitches at the end. The catering team of both Kitchen and Barbecue, The match officials, results co-ordinators and many helpers throughout the day. To conclude our thanks it would be fitting to mention the ‘other halves’ of our helpers not involved today, for without their patience and understanding of today’s events, it would be difficult for many. Therefore their support of their partners is also very much appreciated. Many praises were given throughout the day of the superb organisation and again our club was much praised for a lot of hard work. It was mentioned that Alan Martin himself would have enjoyed today’s events, I am sure that he was watching delighted by it all.

Our founder Billy Johns B.E.M. could not have foreseen what he had started some fifty years ago, and how proud he would have been today to see so many working for his cause, and providing football for the community.

Well done and thanks to everyone involved, no matter how small, their contribution.

Many thanks

Clive Henson

Chairman

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CALLING ALL PAST PLAYERS

DID YOU PLAY FOR MUMBLES RANGERS?

WERE YOU CONNECTED WITH THE CLUB IN ANY WAY?

YES! THEN WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Please e-mail us with your details and we can add you to our e-mail list and keep you up to date with everything that's going on at the club. Please note: Our e-mail listing will not be fully functional until mid 2001-2002 season. Please continue to submit your e-mail address and you will then receive our first newsletter

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