2022/23 Chairman's Report

Old Freemen’s started the 2022-23 season with high hopes following promotion to the Counties 2 Surrey, the old Surrey League Division 1, which for the RFU, represents Level 8.

The Club started the season with a home game against Old Whitgiftians with a narrow two-point defeat with two home tries being disallowed. Games of note before Christmas were wins against Old Blues, Effingham, Law Society and a narrow defeat at home to Old Rutlishians.

After Christmas, the Old Boys played an outstanding first half to lead against unbeaten Teddington, who also won the National knock-out cup. The second half proved an uphill struggle into the wind, against a young and well drilled outfit who, in the end, won the match.

The team suffered a number of injuries to key players at different times, including captain Ollie Crouch, and therefore it was very difficult to field a settled side, so we are looking forward to their return in September.

Jack Cranmer tried manfully to organise a second team but ended up playing in the second row for the First XV on a number of occasions before concussion ended his season.

Three wins from the last four games, against Effingham, London Exiles and Old Haileyburians ensured that the Old Boys remain in the league next season.

The club suffered points deductions for failing to fulfil two fixtures which meant a final league position of tenth with thirty points (played 22, won 8, lost 14, points 30). Without the points deduction, the club would have finished a respectable seventh.

At the annual dinner dance, awards were made to the following for their commitment and outstanding performances throughout the season.

• Player of the Year-James Thompson
• Young Player of the Year-Tom Abraham
• Club Colours -Jim Wilson, Luke Hunter, Tom Fisher and Alan Auld
• Most Improved Player- Jack Cranmer
• Sweat Pot-Ollie Crouch
• Gibbs Shield-Kate Gummer
• President’s Tie-Iain Moodie, Paul Coyle

At a committee meeting prior to the dinner dance, it was unanimously agreed that Irene Gummer should be recognized as a Vice President for her longstanding and unstinting support for the club over the years. As a highly prestigious award, it was last presented in 2013.

The Club would like to congratulate Jon Moore for his excellent coaching and thank Becca Smith for her support as the club physio throughout the season.

Off the pitch, there were a number of key activities. At an Extraordinary General meeting in February, two resolutions were passed unanimously. The first, amended the existing Constitution and the second, subject to certain conditions, that the Club become Old Freemen’s Rugby Football Club Limited. The conditions were met and on 1^st April 2023 the Club become a Limited Company. This is a significant step for the Club limiting liability and establishing a framework for the future.

The planning permission that had been applied for the new Clubhouse was refused. Whilst disappointing we have continued to develop our relationship with the Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower. I would like to thank Grant and Natalie for providing our "home from home" at The Leg. Grant and Natalie have been unswerving in the support and accommodation of us as a Club at the Leg, whether it is post-match, pre-match or special events like lunches or BBQs as well as AGMs, committee meetings, often at short notice.

Special thanks to our sponsors, whose continued financial input to the Club provides invaluable support, so essential for our existence. 

Thanks to Ollie Crouch and Jack Cranmer for all their efforts, not just last season. Congratulations to Luke Hunter and Jack Cranmer for being elected as 1st XV and 2nd XV captains respectively.

Thanks to all the Committee Members, without whose continued efforts the Club would not function.

Pre-season discussions are now underway with a number of events planned, including a major player recruitment drive. Events, some of which have already taken place, include;

• 24 June - Players’ meeting and BBQ at Leg
• 27 June - Initial Board Meeting
• 4 July - Committee Meeting
• 11 July - Start touch
• 20 July - AGM
• 5 August - Touch tournament and post-tournament BBQ at Leg
• 2 September - Warm up match v Effingham away
• 9 September - Warm up match v tba Home
• 9 September- Post-match BBQ and England v Argentina
• 16 September - Season start 

The Player’s Meeting fed back the results of the Player Survey and was followed by a Q&A session and open discussion. The BBQ was attended by over 50 people.

The Touch Tournament was a great success, mainly thanks to Ollie Crouch. 10 teams entered, including over 100 players. Unfortunately, the weather intervened, and we moved to the Leg for the Semi-Finals and Finals. The tournament was won by The Class of 18. The post-tournament BBQ was attended by over 120 people. Overall, a great success.

This season will be critical for the Club from a playing perspective. We have reluctantly taken the decision not to enter the 2^nd XV into the Surrey Leagues. We could not be confident that we would fulfil the necessary fixtures. We will be organising 2^nd XV fixtures on a friendly basis starting at the end of September. Recruitment is the single most important issue facing our Club.