This sixth and final contribution this season based on a potted history of our club covers the 1970’s. This in itself includes our Jubilee in 1975. But it was a very different decade to the one that preceded it. Joining the Common Market might, at the time, have seemed a promising start but the economy rapidly deteriorated as world oil and cereal prices escalated and inflation took off. Unemployment soared and we were soon faced with Ted Heath’s ‘three-day week’. It was a sharp reminder that events and politics can change our lives very quickly- probably sounds familiar?

The early seventies were the era of the great Welsh sides with the immortal names of Barry John, Gareth Edwards and JPR never far from the headlines.

England meanwhile, enthusiastic to celebrate their own centenary decade, had one of their worst run of results ever. Out of 51 matches played they won 15, lost 33 and drew 3 to record a win percentage of only 29.4.

Back in Chester the decade started quite well at first team level with winning percentages at around 60 per cent. Many of the old guard had retired or played spasmodically for the Veterans, a popular way to enjoy the exercise and have a few beers afterwards in the clubhouse. The 72/73 team photograph includes a number of players who subsequently achieved great success on the field as well as off it when they retired from the game.

A glance at the side reminds us of the long hair craze and even suggests the players might prefer the warmth of the club room and the proximity of the bar, rather than outside in the cold nearer the action.

Notable among these worthies is the late Andy Stevenson (who sadly died suddenly only a few weeks ago) who holds the current club record of 412 first team appearances. The picture also includes Arnie Smith and Brian Hayes who had long playing careers and both achieved iconic status having captained the side as well as chairing the club and, being elected President.

At a General Committee Meeting of the club in1972, Ted Charlesworth, the club coach, proposed that a group of fourteen 10 to 12 year boys should be allowed to use one of the junior pitches for training and learning the game. Their alternate Sunday morning sessions would be carefully supervised and they would be known as the ‘Bantams.’ The Committee approved the proposal, provided the boys paid an annual subscription of 75p which was to include lemonade and crisps. This was the start of our Junior and Mini Rugby Section which has flourished ever since.

Lack of space prevents me extolling the virtues of this initiative. Over the last fifty years thousands of youngsters (including girls) and many of their parents have been introduced to the game at Chester. Quite rightly it is now carefully regulated and organized - Chester has a proud record of involvement and also an increasingly long list of boys who have gone on to represent their country at different age levels.

One example of the early days featured Joe Bright, an occasional first team player, whose two boys wanted to join in. The picture of the press cutting below shows the rapt attention that Joe shared with his audience. Some might even recognize themselves.

Joe wanted the boys to learn about the ethos of the game, its values, the importance of fair play and the way to handle victory and defeat- not just how to pass the ball or tackle an opponent. Sadly, Joe died in 2013 and many of his listeners in the photograph will remember his words. Some may even still be out there passing on the message to future generations- I do hope so.

As the decade moved on to the mid 70’s and our Jubilee, our results continued satisfactorily around the 60 per cent success level. However, changes in life-styles were becoming more widespread. The days of late drinking and partying at the weekend were visibly less popular. The young wives expected more help around the house and with the children. Families were increasingly mobile and wanted to go out for the day. Moreover, this meant less time and much less willingness for them to volunteer to do essential jobs around the club- they had to be done and paid for so costs and subs rose accordingly.

There were some successes, in particular the building of squash courts and increased membership using the collective facilities. But the celebration of our Jubilee year was somewhat muted. As the Thatcher era began to dawn it was becoming increasingly obvious we had to become more business-like if the club was to maintain, let alone advance, its momentum. We had to start thinking outside the box.