2011 Reunion

THE 19th ABER FOOTBALL REUNION , April 8-10, 2011

The spell is broken. Friday night in Aberystwyth and Aber Town are not playing Llanelli . Life returns to what passes as normal in Aberystwyth. Mildred blames it on Sky. She reckoned that the match was switched to Sunday for TV schedules. Some of us had our doubts, but no-one was staying on to check that theory out - we might end up at another 1-1 draw.

It is noticeable that the gathering is inching forward, in time terms at least if not in age. Many of us were there early on Friday afternoon - desperate to get one of the better rooms that are left after Jim Kettle’s block booking of most of the Aber front. Some came even earlier. So just what was Derrick Spragg discussing with Tiggy Bates on Thursday night at dinner? Was it really for us to play Aber Town at the 20^th Anniversary Reunion as some feared - and Rob Culley hoped?

So a gorgeous Friday afternoon passed pleasantly at PD’s Diner on the Prom, sitting in the traditional glorious sunshine of Aberystwyth’s Reunion Weekend as various members of the group arrived to join those fortunate to be there early. The usual physical complaints were pored over, augmented by various colds and sore throats this year. Beryl said that “Jim can’t sing”, a fact well known to us already but still greeted with much satisfaction. A sleek silver Mercedes pulled alongside, announcing Pete and Kathy’s arrival, though they dined that evening with relatives and missed The Greek.

A lot of thought went into the choosing of this restaurant. The tapas bar had already been visited and felt not to be serious enough dining. The Pier menu was perused but there was a feeling that we had all moved from our Pier days and in keeping with our sophistication and cosmopolitanism we would eat at The Greek opposite. The restaurant probably has another name but proof that this was sufficient and that it is unlikely that there is more than one Greek restaurant in Aber was evidenced by the fact that Mike and Lindy and Carol as well as Dave Charles and his wife Rose were already there waiting when the main party arrived later that evening. Food was good and it turned out we had some regular visitors to Greece amongst the group. John Ansell confided in me that he really loved Andros, which I was relieved to learn later was a Greek island.

Dave Charles was a major addition to the group, even though he and Rose were only able to stay for the Friday night. It was reminiscent of our student football days when those few who had cars were guaranteed their place in the team, or if not then a guitar was the next best thing. Dave played the guitar very well indeed and knew all the songs in the group’s (admittedly limited) repertoire as well as many others not, as he rocked the bar in the Marine after dinner. Others joined in too - notably a group of women who looked suspiciously like even more ancient students than ourselves. Excellent, though I did think that the words to “The Young Ones” could probably do with a little re-working.

The curious layout of The Greek, where I sat with my back to much of the group was echoed in the Marine where a circle had already formed and , probably luckily for those there, spent most of the evening hidden behind Ken Passmore’s back, which is much broader now than I remembered.

Saturday morning and Aber glittered gloriously in sub-tropical sunshine as the group gathered for the walk to Clarach. Myself and Jeanette had opted not to go. Nothing to do with last year’s debacle of Ken Passmore’s navigation. No, there was a new navigator this year, Derrick Spragg. I was suspicious, though, when I saw the size of the haversack that Mildred was carrying. Why would she need to bring all that stuff with her. Others who knew Derrick well were equipped with stout boots - and the Kettles with rhythm sticks for walking (though one each, oddly). My major concern was with the Wolves v Everton match on Sky at 12.45 pm. With golf in Capel Bangor scheduled for 2.30pm I needed Wolves to be leading comfortably by half–time in order to head off with an easy mind. Jeanette was, shockingly, not going to watch the match but ramble around the town. But first we would walk a bit of the way to Clarach with the group…

The first sign that all was not well was Derrick getting lost on the Prom. After a brief halt while Derrick consulted his map we all doubled back to the Marine. Not content with going on the cliff path, the plan was to go to Clarach via an inland route. We passed the bottom of Constitution Hill and climbed the stiff hill up Cliff Terrace. More map consulting. Wrong road again. Back down the hill. Up the road to the golf course. Almost an hour after leaving, the Marine was still just below us, less than a stone’s throw away. With the hotel so close by and plenty of walking being had, Jeanette and I left the already struggling group behind.

No Sky Sports in the Marine ,so a quick sprint (well, jog) to the Scholars, the pub formerly known as the Crystal Palace - of Badcock fame. By half-time, with Everton 3-0 up ,it was definitely time to leave for the golf - and face the Everton-supporting Derrick Spragg whom I had mocked most of the morning (not forgetting a whole year in Bridge Street). Clarach had not been reached by the golfers, having left for home long before the Promised Land was sighted. Just before us golfers left the Marine, the other walkers began to straggle wearily in. Beryl needed her rhythm stick to hold her up on the bar stool - and the others looked no better. Watching Wolves may have been the better option, even with the 3 Everton goals.

Capel Bangor was beautiful - though that did not stretch to the golf itself, except for Ken who won the Capel Bangor Masters convincingly. Derrick Spragg looked good for a while, but a Rory McIlroy-like collapse on the last two holes saw him finish runner-up. There was a singles bet of a £1 per person and a similar team bet. Myself, Jeanette and Derrick won the team bet but, with no maths graduates present, no-one could work out who owed what, so no money changed hands. I have a feeling Ken should feel aggrieved, but am still not sure. Jeanette tied with Howard for 4th, but we are still waiting for a ruling from the Royal and (Very) Ancient on how many points to deduct for a couple of serious etiquette errors that might see him have to qualify for next year’s Masters.

It was a great gathering at the Marine that night - 26 in total. We were joined by Kathy’s friend Gaynor Hamer, Pete and Eifiona Carpenter whilst Rob and Gaynor Culley had arrived during the day. Thanks to Nerys for a very good meal. Once again Beryl organised the Grand National Sweep, which Ken won - making up for his puzzlement as to how he could win the golf and get nothing for it.

Rob was sporting a heavily bandaged hand, having broken a finger while a spectator at a kids football match - and this the man who wants us to play a game next year! Rob named (and shamed) those who had indicated interest last year in playing. But another year had taken its toll. Wives stared at husbands, who looked uncomfortable. Even I backtracked and offered to keep goal - a position I last played in for Lev’s All-Stars in the Digs League in TT year (I just had to win a medal at something). I realised afterwards that this poses something of a selection headache for Rob who now has to choose between Howard and myself. Tough call that.

There followed relaxed chatting and some singing from some hardy souls before a reasonably early night after an exhausting day for many. Talk, too, of next year’s 20^th and encouraging others along and perhaps a game of golf at Aberystwyth Golf Club for a few early arrivers.

Somehow Sunday seems to arrive too quickly at these annual gatherings and it was time to check-out and head for the bar - the one at the end of the Prom that is. Many photographs and goodbyes later there were just a few of us dawdling, delaying the inevitable departure by sitting in the sun outside PD’s Diner on the Promenade amidst the hundreds of arriving bikers. Then time to leave, just in case Mildred was right and there would be another 1-1 draw with Llanelli Town.

A truly great weekend, thanks to all those attending - a great bunch of people to be around. Particular thanks to the organisers - Derrick and Mildred, Ken and Ann and Jim and Beryl. Next year I might have to add Rob to that list if a game is played, but we all still think it’s just a threat. Please.

Attendees (in no particular order):

Jim and Beryl Kettle; saving up to get the other stick each

Derrick and Mildred Spragg; still not retired , but is now a 0.7 man

Ken and Ann Passmore; will be reinstated as navigator next year

John and Shirley Ansell; in love with Andros

Magdalene Roughton; No Bruce, who I think had gone to Texas to get an even bigger handicap, but Magdalene stayed on for the weekend, which was great

Howard and Sian Phillips; Still walking well and looking forward to the real wedding of the year

Bob and Gaynor Culley; onion-tree still alive, Bob, but not sure which bit of it we eat

Dave Charles and Rose; brought proper music to the gathering which previously had to rely on Mike Purslove’s drumming to keep some sense of order

Pete and Eifiona Carpenter; yet again Pete is the best-dressed man with his nice jacket at dinner

Pete and Kathy Strydom and Gaynor Hamer; now I know where the Strydoms live in Pembroke there will be no getting rid of me! Thanks to Kathy’s friend Gaynor for joining us on Saturday also

Mike and Lindy Purslove with Carol Parry; Good to see all three back again, even if Mike’s drumming skills were made redundant!

Huw and Elen Evans ; once again local knowledge was of no benefit to Huw at the golf, but once again Elen was amongst the Sweep winners

Des and Jeanette Drumm; went on to take 4 more glorious days down the west coast. Will definitely see you all next year.

des drumm

21^st April 2011

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Two of the reunion attendees decided that they needed alternative entertainment to the golf on offer .....

Saturday Afternoon Football Match at Park Avenue

Saturday afternoon, John Ansell and I decided that playing serious golf with experienced veterans was not for us and we would find better “entertainment” watching the semi-final of the Welsh Cup between Llanelli and The New Saints (ex Total Network Solutions) at Park Avenue.

Having paid an exorbitant £7 to get in, we looked forward to an exciting, passionate football match between two of the best sides in the Welsh League.

We decide to sit in “Dias’ Stand behind and close to one of the goals where some of the Llanelli lads were practising shooting. This proved to be a frightening experience with footballs seemingly directly aimed at us and producing a ricochet effect between the seats and spectators. We seriously thought of moving into the goal for safety! In light of this, we should have guessed that we were in for a low scoring match.

And so it proved. The match resembled a game of ping-pong with neither team able to control the feather-light ball on a hard surface and both defences hoofing the ball anywhere if it came near their own penalty area. Goalmouth incidents were few and far between and when the odd one occurred, unbelievable misses from inside the 6-yard area were order of the day.

During the last twenty minutes, The New Saints began to get on top by passing to teammates, missed one glorious chance and then conceded the only goal of the game from a breakaway with less than 10 minutes left.

Llanelli hung on and won.

My thanks to John for getting me a coffee which was much appreciated and almost the highlight of the afternoon!

Mike Purslove