PLAYERS young, old and everywhere in between are being urged to turn up for Tenbury Rugby Club’s 60th anniversary celebrations later this month.

Tenbury will mark their diamond anniversary on Saturday, February 23 with a day of special events including a home game against Ledbury – their very first opponents all the way back in 1959.

The club’s Second XV will face the North Midlands Barbarians at 11am before a sit-down meal at 12.30pm is followed by Tenbury firsts taking on Ledbury at 2.15pm.

Founder member Robin Farr, who ten years ago received an Rugby Football Union Long Service award to recognise his commitment to the club, will be the guest of honour on the day.

Current Tenbury director of rugby Andy Black said: “We are particularly trying to get as many former captains back as possible on the day.

“It will be another great day for the club and we want family, friends and anybody who has been involved with the club in any way to turn up.”

Black believes Tenbury’s performances on the pitch this season have regenerated a buzz around the club after a difficult few seasons, just in time for their milestone year.

Tenbury have gone the entire campaign unbeaten thus far, sitting top of Midlands Five West North and having beaten several higher-level sides to reach March’s RFU Midlands Junior Vase final.

He added: “It’s great for the town of Tenbury that we have 60 years of rugby to celebrate – there have been ups and downs but our 60th year arrives with Tenbury on the up.”

The club’s formation was the brainchild of Mr Farr, then a PE teacher as Tenbury Secondary School, who had turned out for Birmingham Welsh and Ludlow.

He felt there were enough players to form a breakaway club in Tenbury, where he had lodgings, and he took out an advert in the Advertiser in 1958 to appeal for players.

A meeting at the Community Hall was attended by 14 people and the club was formed, with Fred Miles elected president, Stan Fishwick as chair and the other co-founder John Coles as secretary.

The club played its first game on February 28, 1959, in a narrow 8-3 loss to Ledbury – Clive Martin set up David ‘Tiger’ Mytton for Tenbury’s only try (back then a try was only worth three points).

Farr, now 86, would go on to serve as captain for six years, playing 99 of the club’s first 100 games – missing one because he was snowed in - then fixture secretary, chair and president.

Black added: “I have been playing at Tenbury now for just over 20 years and Robin has always been there, giving support and encouragement even in bad times.

“He is a great ambassador for grassroots rugby and for Tenbury RFC."