Redditch RFC

Oh Mickey - and the Gallagher family - I’m so sorry I can’t do what I promised him I would, all those years ago - drink at his funeral.

The only thing - that I couldn’t run through or around, has transpired - my youngest daughter is getting married in London today.

So, you can guarantee I will share a drink or two in Mickey’s  honour and shed another tear at his departure.

I expect Mickey, you can see me from the elevated place you are now in, with all the other naughty (but nice) scrum halves: Gareth Edwards etc Don’t be shy - you can tell as good a story as anyone up there.

The 70’s are history - and so too - our running around terrorising opposition back rows and scrum halves. Playing rugby with you as a team mate was fantastic fun and an education at the same time.

You were the most enthusiastic of the 5 team captains who teamed up to agree a plan with my parents to protect me and safely promote me from the 5th XV as a 13yr old boy playing in the same team as men whose opponents were men. The 4ths and 3rds got me to your 2nd XV. You got me (safely) into the 1st Team Captained by Roger Rees in early September 1973. You all taught me the safe way to play and the unsafe ways not to, for attacking and defending. The game is not intrinsicaly dangerous - only if you’re trying short cuts and forgetting he’s the bloke you’ll be drinking a pint with after.

I have a boy who played a bit. He thanks you via me - I taught him the safe approach. In retrospect all I can say is, “wow thanks and love, for no brain damage” to you Mickey and the others:

5th XV Sam Apsley

4th XV Gus Glanville

3rd XV Roger Westwood

1st XV Roger Rees

As Captain of the 2nd XV you and the others  prepared me in an incredibly short time (1973-75) and in such an effective way which astounds me to this day.

My mum was happy with no hospital for broken bones or brain damage. My father was happy I hadn’t been arrested for drunk and disorderly. We know a few secrets - dont we Mickey - but more in the second category than the first.

I only regret that as an arrogant young man I didn’t fully appreciate their - and your - contribution to my playing career. I could have invited you to a game - Argentina at Gloucester or Cambridge Univ at Leicester. I was too wrapped up in my own performance.

Ah, the self centred arrogance of youth. Sorry, Mickey.

I played at every level of England rugby from Under 15s to full England and I know I would not have done that without your training, prompting and advice.

I played for you the week before my first international - England Under 15s in 1972 v Wales at the old Arms Park in Cardiff. You calmed me down by advising: “remember your main job in attack and in defence, focus on that”.

That’s mainly all I ever did throughout my playing career, Mickey, with the addition of doing the unexpected in attack. We subsequently won and I scored a try.

God rest you Mickey.

With all my thanks, your loving son-in-rugby,

Toby Allchurch