Last night was Barking Rugby Clubs first annual 'Gentleman's evening'. Basically a fundraiser for our rather impoverished little club. Money spinner it was too. £35 quid per ticket, plus an extra fiver each to take part in possibly the worlds worst value raffle (first prize was 2 tickets to the edf cup final, and second was a bottle of wine)
Nevertheless, we arrived in good time and Dad & I secured our place at the bar. We have always considered ourselves as outsiders at the club. We have never played and we don't own a club tie (which were much on display) Although we do attend almost every home game, as well as the occasional away fixture. Therefore, when Bob (former president) showed us to where we would be sitting, he said he knew us because he hadn't seen out faces before, we were a hurt. Although he was warm friendly and wished us a very happy evening, it didn't do much to diminish out 'outsider' status
As we sat and introduced ourselves to people we had questioned during the recent AGM, we were again asked if we were new to the club. 6 years probably is new to most of the people at the table. Most of them were original Park Modern old boys.
Nevertheless the food was agreeable, simple and plentiful. The £20 whip per person, helped to keep the conversation flowing as dad and I attempted to ingratiate our self into the heart of the old guard.
Being a 'gentleman's evening', I was a bit worried that the entertainment might get a bit too alpha male for my tastes. Strippers and alike. We knew that Jason Leonard and Jeff Probyn, both former England front rows, were going to be there and would probably do a bit of banter. But what unfolded was a simple and joyous evening of much laughter and merriment.
They kept it simple. After dinner when we were a well oiled and willing audience, Jeff Probyn stood up and gave one of the funniest after dinner speeches I have ever heard. It wouldn't have mattered if you know the people he was talking about, he was just funny. He finished his set with a bit of a drinking masterclass. Pint followed by Pint, then wine and port all under a minute.
Jason, not the consummate performer that Jeff is, stood and answer a few questions put to him by Jeff. He answered with real heart and honesty. His talk was short and he allowed us re-engage with the cheese board.
We chatted rather drunkenly with Bob again and then phoned mum to see if she would pick us up. Dad's offer of making her a cup of tea when we got in miraculously worked. He than accused me of having bare faced cheek in asking mum to come and get us. Never mind the fact that it was him that demanded that I called mum in the first place.
Dad then proceeded to try to get into the wrong car, to which the woman in the silver Ka seemed to thankfully find amusing.
Got home. Had that cup of tea, and as is par for the course on such drunken evenings, Dad and I had a Jam session on the guitars, as I forgot the chords and him the words. Didn't seem to matter though.
Time for bed said Zebedee!! I awoke at 6.30 this morning with a bit of a sore head and an empty wallet. Success for us and certainly a success for Barking RUFC.
(dad Mentoring Jason Leonard OBE. Dad is on the right)
