My father was a soccer lover and player and would for preference have sent me to Southend High School for Boys where that game was played, but what my mother wanted my mother got - and the decision to send me to Westcliff High School for Boys introduced me to a game which gave me excitement, thrills, fun and lifelong friendships.

I always played in the school first teams in every age group but was never a "star". There were always boys a little better than I was and that meant that I had no real ambition to play at the very highest level. As in any sport I had my good games and my bad games but I loved being surrounded by friends with all the camaraderie that involved.

When I left school I played for Guy's Hospital and for Old Westcliffians during the Christmas vacations. On returning to Southend after qualification I rested for about five years to produce children (rested???)but then got a yearning to play again and did so until I was 43 by which time I had descended to the lowest side. When I stopped playing I became Chairman of the Club and was instrumental in changing the Club name to "Westcliff RFC" and was involved in the building of the new clubhouse in Aviation Way.

I went on to become President of the Club and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership, the highest honour the Club could give and which I found most humbling. Rugby gave me more than I could ever repay and made be appreciate just how important teamwork is. A good preparation for politics!