2004 Reunion

Yet another successful reunion took place on May 8th and May 9th, although the numbers attending were slightly lower than recent years - the football match was down to 8 a-side and 19 sat down to eat at Le Figaro restaurant in the evening.

The original intention was to play 6 a-side but as the opposition turned up with 8 and we could just about muster 7 keen players and 1 reluctant player the match started at 5pm at Blaendolau, playing 8 a-side and with the ex-students in the colours of Aberystwyth town FC. Our match happened to follow a 5 a-side football tournament so we ended up playing on a half-size pitch and with small goals and the spectators even had the luxury of a marquee to sit in and shelter from the wind.

To allow the opportunity for more breaks and recovery time it was decided to play 4 quarters. However 4 wasn't enough for Bob Culley and so we then had to play two more. Despite all that time and a penalty allotted by a very sympathetic referee, John Ansell, we were unable to score a goal. How many goals the opposition scored was irrelevant and will be quickly forgotten. Our main striker Dick German's main contribution was a Klinsman-like tumble in the penalty area, somehow contrived with rumours of a bribe to the opposition's full back. His assertion that his resulting penalty attempt would have gone in if we were using full-sized goals was of little consolation to his team mates.

Brian Howes, who was making his debut in a reunion match, played very steadily in defence and his son Gareth (who had also been an Aber student) kept a clean sheet for all of the time that he was in goal. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Derrick Spragg and Ken Passmore who happened to have their spells in goal when most of the goals were scored. Of course, they argued that the defence was that much weaker when they were in goal and allowed the opposition more shooting chances; well they would argue that, wouldn't they. Mick Dobson, the first pensioner to represent the ex-students, showed that his regular visits to the gym kept him reasonably fit and Bob Culley's weekly football on the beach in Swansea likewise. However, Bob has still had more injuries than the rest of the team put together and is a walking encyclopaedia on sporting injuries - be warned and don't start a discussion with him on this subject. Tiggy Bates managed to play in nearly every position on the pitch although he had not been given official permission to play from she who must be obeyed.

The opposition was again provided by Martin Morgan and friends who have an obvious advantage through playing together regularly. The fact that they are slightly younger and fitter than the ex-students is also a significant factor. However the quality of Martin's hat-trick of goals showed that he is still quite an accomplished player.

A very pleasant meal in the Cambrian Arms Le Figaro restaurant was followed by singing in the bar, with the usual accompaniment on the guitar from Mike Fisher and friend. Brian had also brought his guitar and his own handwritten music sheets and was able to play some of the tunes that Mike didn't know.

The full list of the attendees this year were :-

Bob and Gaynor Culley

Derrick and Mildred Spragg

John and Shirley Ansell

Mike and Shan Pickard

Howard and Sian Phillips

Dick German

Ken Passmore

Tony McGuinness

Brian and Gareth Howes

Mike and Gina Dobson

Tiggy and Marilyn Bates

Here's the reunion football team photo - taken at Blaendolau

left to right - Richard German, Bob Culley, Brian Howes, Derrick Spragg, John Ansell, Ken Passmore,

Gareth Howes, Mick Dobson, Tiggy Bates