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Mumbles Rangers |
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Swansea Junior Football League Swansea Senior Football League The extract opposite has been taken from the book One Man's Dream The story of Mumbles Rangers Boys' Club 1950-1990 To order a copy Click Here |
One Mans Dream
The story of Mumbles Rangers Boys Club |
MATCH REPORTS APPEAR ON TEAM PAGE For up to date league tables
Page Last Updated 11 October, 2002 |
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an inspiration to us all...... The story of Billy Johns is one of great courage, of strength and of passion. Although Billy died in 1962 at the age of 33 his inspiration lives on. Billy Johns health in the early years of his life deteriorated rapidly. The physical struggles diminished his energies to such an extent that by a very early age he was losing his mobility, and soon afterwards he found himself permanently confined to a wheelchair. For the remainder of his life he was to be virtually totally paralysed. Despite his disability he was an inspiration to others Billy had many friends, and Billy had a dream, he decided that rather than be led he would make, for him, the monumental effort to lead. His aims were clear - enjoyment for his friends, "his boys" through sporting and other activities and develop a friendship that knew no barriers. Billy's dream was of a club where he could gather around him hard working and committed officials who could nurture and foster its members, and together they could create something that was very "special." Fifty years on there can be little doubt that Billy Johns' dream is very much alive. Billy's hopes and aspirations for the members of his club live on in the current players and officials and friends of the Mumbles Rangers of today. In spite of the fact that the majority of the clubs present members never had the privilege of knowing Billy Johns, all recognize the privilege of belonging to his club. The massive influence that he had upon all who came in contact with him all those years ago exists still to this day. It is an influence that all who have ever been associated with Mumbles Rangers will have experienced. If he had lived to witness the strength of the club today, his pride would have known no bounds. In the 1961 New Years Honours list Billy Johns was awarded the British Empire Medal
The
following is the first of a two part history of Mumbles Rangers Boys Club
written by Dave Harris for the February 2001 edition of All Saints Church
News 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 – 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 25th
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 Here
is the final installment of the two part history of Mumbles Rangers Boys Club
written by Clive Henson for the April 2001 edition of All Saints Church
News Missed the first installment? Click Here
To
continue the story of Mumbles Rangers, Billy Johns overriding ambitions
were always for his young members, and throughout his short life he strove
to build a clubhouse for his boys. Sadly, on Valentine’s day, February
14th 1962 Billy lost his fight for life at the age of 33 years,
but he left behind wonderful memories and a legacy that is still carried
on to this very day. Billy’s dream of a clubhouse of our own will, we
hope one day be realised. Carlo
had sent Billy a colossal bronzed statuette on a marble base, and, after
Billy’s death another breathtakingly beautiful trophy similar in
stature. These trophies are today presented to the First and Second Team
Players of the Year, and held with pride within the club. They are on
display in the Rangers’ trophy cabinet in the White Rose, Mumbles, who
offered our trophies a temporary home until the long quest for our own
clubhouse becomes reality. The
late 50’s was a bleak time for funds and new kit was badly needed. But
Spurs and Wales footballer, Terry Medwin came to the rescue with eleven
Welsh International jerseys. They were only numbered 7 and 9, Terry’s
positions for Wales. So we fielded a side with six wearing number 7’s
and four wearing number 9 on their shirts! Through
the 60’s there was plenty of success on the football field, Hylton
Jolliffe’s ‘B’ side having enormous success, and many more
achievements by the other sides. Billy’s quest for a clubhouse
continued, with many failed applications, but his determination remained
as strong as ever. Billy
Johns’s death in 1962 left the club shell-shocked, but still in good
hands of club stalwarts like Mende Morgan, John Budge, Club Leader Bob
Smith, Secretary Kevin McCloskey and Fred Clement, our home then being The
Old Catholic Hall in William Street. But Bob Smith left for South Africa
and then came the move to premises in the basement of Oddfellows Hall in
the Dunns. The rooms often flooded with the incoming tide and it was an
unhealthy existence and this move signalled an era of decline for the
club. But
a new era was emerging, Jeff Fackrell (later to be club leader), Clive
Henson Secretary and Fixture secretary (now Chairman), Ian Williamson
later to become Secretary, and Clive Hemp, the new treasurer, were
determined to keep the club going. These were difficult times and it was
hand to mouth existence. With the further loss of the premises at
Oddfellows Hall, the club sank to its lowest ebb. Meetings were now held
at No.11 Glen Road, the home of Fred and Helen Clement and thanks to their
hospitality the club was able to survive. Fred Clement has played a big
part in our club’s history and is now Club President. His wife Helen
must also be mentioned for without the patience and understanding of such
wives the Rangers officials would find it difficult to carry out their
duties. It
was at this time that the club was offered a strip of concrete in
Underhill Park, which had housed the American Nissan Huts during the war
and was adjacent to the Rugby Club changing rooms. This was to be the
Rangers’ new home and work began immediately. Ken Jones played a major
part, ably assisted by Eddie Wade and other club stalwarts, Fred Clement,
Jeff Fackrell, Ian Williamson, John Budge, Alan Martin, John Lodge, Clive
Henson and Keith Billington to name a few. The main structure was supplied
by Marley, the internal walls fittings and fixtures being built by club
members. It was not a palace but it was our club and a home. The arrival
of Frankie Vaughan to open our own ‘Billy Johns Clubhouse’ was as nice
a gesture to the memory of Billy, as one could get. (Frankie first met
Billy in November 1958 when he opened our then clubhouse at Norton). Mrs.
Johns was present and also Clive Thomas, World Cup referee and Chairman of
the Welsh Boys Clubs. The
late 60’s saw the arrival of Reg Nix, an ex-referee, to assist with
first team coaching, and Danny Sheehan and Dai Davies who had both seen
the first team play in badly faded shirts and despaired at the state of
the club. Fortunes blossomed with the purchase of a new set of kit in the
old club colours of Yellow, Red and Black and the installation of Danny as
club leader. With the arrival of Gerry Griffiths the club took on a new
dimension, and on the playing field the phoenix was about to rise from the
ashes. Although our football ambitions in returning to the first division
were achieved, the search for a clubhouse went on. Our application to
build in Oystermouth Quarry, now a car park was quashed; our plans to
build behind the car park at Underhill Park were unsuccessful. Our recent
joint venture with the Rugby Club fell again on stony ground. But the work
carried out by Eric Nicholas, Des Criddle and Chris Parkin in pursuit of
Billy’s dream goes on. Other members who have served the club well, must
not be forgotten,
Malcolm Miller, Ray Thompson, Russell Davies, Kim Thomas and
Richard Pothecary have acted as Treasurers, Chris Jones as Secretary,
Colin Henson and Keith Billington as Fixture Secretaries, Malcolm Maggs
and Jeff Fackrell as club Leaders. Just as in the early years people like
Alan Price, Roy Browning and Haydn Griffiths contributed so much. In
1973 the club began a junior section with the arrival of Alec Sorley, Eric
Nicholas, (later Club President), Malcolm Maggs, (later Club Leader), Des
Criddle, (later Chairman), Eddie Wade, Mike Harvey, Len Rowden, Bernard
Evans, Ivor Owen and Lawrie Buckland. Our Junior section now boasts sides
from under 7 through to under 16, and is now one of the largest in Wales
thanks to all our junior managers. Some of the more recent junior managers
are Chris Parkin ( ex-Junior co-ordinator and secretary, now fixture
secretary). Mike Isaac, Haydn Lewis (junior co-ordinator), Mike Podbielski
(Secretary) George Kyrillou, Leroy Anderson, Neil Grey (V.P. Club
Administrator) Ian Jones, Clive Henson (Chairman), Gwyn Lloyd-Jones, Simon
Howells, Lawrence Jones, Renalto Restighini, Paul Skinner, John Cox, Keith
Norris, Tom Cox, and all have been with the club for many years. In
1976 the club celebrated its 25th
Anniversary at the Top Rank
Suite, Swansea and the main guest was Max Boyce. Eric
Nicholas, Rangers’ lifetime friend Grafton Maggs, and the Rangers’
committee masterminded this anniversary dinner. In
1982 Mike Harvey suggested we hold an Annual Dinner and invite all of the
old boys, ‘the original Rangers’
to gain their support and reintroduce them to their club. The first one
with 60 members was held at the Langland Court, but soon outgrew this
venue to go onto the Caswell Bay. Now 19 years’ later this event is
still being held on the last Sunday in February, at the Pier Hotel,
Mumbles with over 200 members attending each year and with tickets at a
premium. Together with our loyal Sponsors the Vice
Presidents are now the club’s main source of income. Since Eric’s
retirement as President the V.P.
Club is organised by Neil Gray. It costs £10 per annum to join and
gives the club invaluable funds to carry on its important work for the
community of Mumbles and Swansea. In
1989 the idea of setting down the history of the club, before the records
became lost or forgotten was instigated by David Harris and Mike Harvey
and the book ‘One
Man’s Dream’ was written, the history of the club being saved
forever in pictures and print. In
November 2000 the club held its 50th
Anniversary celebrations at the
Swansea University and present were nine of Billy’s ‘original’ Rangers, Clive Gammon, Terry O’Brien, Hylton Jolliffe,
Danny Sheehan, Johnny Davies, Vic Collier, John Norman, Brian Owen and Bob
Aspell (son of Wally the club’s legendary first trainer). We were also
fortunate that day to have overseas visitors in Dimitris (Jimmy the Greek)
Zaraphonitis with friends from Greece, and Bob Smith travelling from South
Africa. Bob’s journey was rewarded with deserved Life Membership. Eric
Nicholas our outgoing President was there again to mastermind this event
with 350 past / present players and wives and friends attending. For
the past four seasons the Rangers Junior section, in September of each
year, has held a 5-a-side junior tournament, with teams entering from all
over Swansea and Neath.
The purpose of this tournament is to remember one of our loyal
members, Alan Martin, who was instrumental in helping set up the Junior
Sunday Morning sessions. George and Maria Kyrillou are the main forces
behind the, organization, with committee members and junior managers
assisting on the day, especially Mike Podbielski , his wife June, Chris
Parkin, Haydn Lewis and Mike Harvey, one of Alan’s closest friends. June
is the canteen lady who supplies hot drinks and refreshments on Saturdays
to both Rugby and Soccer supporters in the Park. Last September Alan
Martin’s sister Eileen and her husband Brian came over from America to
sponsor and watch the tournament. Today,
past members are joined by current members, in their 50 year search for a
Clubhouse. Such is the hold that Billy Johns still has on his club that
Doug Peachey, one of the ‘originals’
is still writing letters on behalf of the club. Chris
Parkin and Eric Nicholas spend many hours in meetings trying to put the
Rangers’ case forward. Currently Chris is assisted by Clive Henson and
Mike Podbielski as the quest for that elusive clubhouse continues. Pursuit of a permanent home for Mumbles Rangers Boys’ Club still goes on, some 39 years after Billy Johns death. The club feels it has a very strong case. Those familiar with this club’s inspiring history, would not disagree. April 2001 |
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