West Bank RLFC passed away at approximately 11.30pm on Thursday of last week – but behind the scenes hope still goes on that the club will be able to carry on next season in a different league. It all hinges on the annual general meeting next month of the Warrington and district Amateur Rugby League. There is a chance that an Under 21 league will be formed. If it is, then the present team – which is now over age for Under 19s football can blaze a new trail. If not then West Bank will remain dead and will not play – at least not in the immediate future. It all depends on next month’s meeting.
WEST BANK BID A FOND FAREWELL
But officials – looking to the future – strike an optimistic note
The flame is extinguished. West Bank Rugby League Club is no more. As players and officials joined hands, Auld Lang Syne became the club’s swan song and the curtain came down for the final time on this great amateur club.
The closing hours in the life of West Bank were spent at the Central Hotel on Thursday of last week – the occasion being the annual dinner.
The importance of the event weighed heavily on most of the gathering but quite typically they forgot their heartaches and West Bank ended by going out in style.
No tears just sincere handshakes between the players and the man who helped the club to get on its feet 17 years ago – former player and trainer Frank Grayson.
It was quite a night for Frank who had paved the way for many starlets – all of whom owe a terrific amount to this shrewd Rugby League brain.
Although this was the end of West Bank the after dinner speakers insisted on looking to the future. Would another west Bank rise out of the ashes? Yes they thought so. All agreed that the passing of the club was a great pity and a great loss to amateur football in general.
Frank Grayson a man who does not waste words took time off to recall the days – in 1936 – when he used to play himself.
“The war came and I had to break off” he said, “and I started again in 1945 with West Bank as a player for 12 months”.
Then he started to train the players and, with a short exception when he was with Widnes ‘A’, he has been with West Bank ever since.
Remarking about the last season’s performances, Frank said “We have had a good season although we have not won anything. Of 31 games we have won 22, drawn two and lost seven with Arnold Mort top try scorer with 34 and Ged Lewis the leading goal kicker with 75.
Altogether the club had been honoured by the selection of three players for the Lancashire County team while one had played for England against France.
“That means” continued the trainer “that while I have been with West Bank 11 players have represented their country. I think that this is a record”.
He recalled how Jackie Broome was the first. He made his international debut against France in 1948 and so did Arnold Mort, the latest, who also played against France.
Frank paid tribute to Joe Williams, secretary of the club. “You will not find a better secretary anywhere than Joe Williams” he stated “and I have worked with some good ones”.
Many people, he continued, had had helped to write the success story of West Bank and he thanked them all – including those not at the dinner.
They had tried to keep the flying the flag of West Bank – but if it was coming down for the last time it had done a good job as indeed had the team.
“I’d like to thank for the 100 per cent effort you have given me this year” he concluded.
Club president, Roy Edwards, said there were a number of reasons why Rugby League was declining – perhaps the foremost being the lack of social facilities.
West Bank had hoped to buy some ground in order that a headquarters could have been built - but unfortunately the ground could not be acquired.
He compared the number of Rugby Union teams in the town – they total 13 – to those of Rugby League but he added they were all amateur players whichever code they played.
Players chose the Union code for the simple reason that the social amenities in Widnes were better than those of rugby League. There was a distinct lack of social outlet for amateur Rugby League players.
He felt that the senior clubs did not look after their juniors as well as they might. If this could be remedied the benefits would be seen and would affect both the professionals and the amateurs of the game.
Looking to the future Mr. Edwards stressed that he still would not believe that West Bank were finished. He clung to the hope that there would be a chance of the club playing next season.
The president remarked on the work of Frank Grayson and paid tribute to the players without whom the club would not have carried on. “They’ve done a good job” he said.
In conclusion Mr. Edwards left the gusts with one thought “It seems a shame“he said “that while senior rugby league is enjoying a boom, amateur rugby league is going down”.
Mr. George Cain, chairman of the Widnes and District Amateur Rugby League said that this was one of the saddest sporting occasions he had known.
The end of West Bank had happened to a club which had carried the banner so well through the county. “I hope that out of the ashes will arise another West Bank” continued the league chairman, who thanked the club officials and players for putting Rugby League on the map.
He thanked them for the hours of pleasure and help they had given him during the years.
There were several presentations during the evening and Mr. Roy Edwards awarded the team their Warrington and district League losers medals.
Jackie Broome, on behalf of the club, presented Arnold Mort with a camera and case in recognition of his selection for England.
Barry ‘Chick’ Morris received an inscribed travelling clock on behalf of the club from Frank Tobin a reward for being selected West Bank’s player of the year.
It was at this point that Frank Grayson paid tribute to the work of Frank Tobin who he said “had done a lot for amateur football”.
International Arnold Mort was the recipient of another presentation on behalf of the Widnes and District Amateur Rugby League by Chairman George Cain.
Nobody was forgotten and there were surprise gifts of appreciation from the players presented to secretary Joe Williams who received a pair of gold cuff links, and a gold tie pin from Ged Lewis and to Dick Wainwright (assistant trainer) who received a cigarette lighter from Barry Morris.
Perhaps the most touching presentation was that of an inscribed chiming clock to frank Grayson from the club. The award was made by Arnold Mort who said that “he would like Frank to accept this gift as a token of our appreciation this season and for the past”.
With eyes moist the big man replied “This is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to Frank Grayson”
The last presentation was made, the final ?????? were given. Everybody was mentioned from Johnny Broome, former West Bank, Wigan and Widnes star who played for England both as an amateur and a professional, to the groundsmen who also played their part,
The occasion was then forgotten as the gathering settled down to enjoy the entertainment that the club had provided.
The guests at the event included; Mr. Roy Edwards, club president, Mr.G.F. Cain, chairman of the Widnes and District Amateur Rugby League, and Mrs. Cain, Mr. Jimmy O’Garra, secretary of the Widnes and District Amateur Rugby League, and Mrs. O’Garra, Mr E Duckworth, Widnes and District League Treasurer and Mrs. Hamlett, Mr. and Mrs. J. Broome and Mr. F. Tobin,Widnes RFC trainer and Mrs. Tobin.
They scored the points
Here are West Bank’s leading points scorers for the past season
GTPts
G. Lewis758174
A. Mort1334128
J. Purcell02163
B. Morris01648
D. Roberts01339
P. Wilson0824
M. Maynes0824
The club’s full record for the season was:- P31W22D2L7For 536 Against 173