Ilkley Rugby Club celebrate the season in style

Ilkley Rugby Club’s club room was dressed to the nines for the club’s annual dinner. Guests from Otley, Skipton and Keighley Rugby clubs together with Michael Mason, a farmer from Norfolk made up the top table.

Ilkley’s top caterers Pauline and Elaine laid on a sumptuous meal served with style and efficiency.

Skipper Ian McKenzie spoke eruditely about the season and his satisfaction with its outcome. He congratulated his 1^st XV squad for their commitment and for their displays on the field culminating in the highest ever haul of league points and the highest ever league placing. 3^rd in Yorkshire league one was no mean achievement. He was confident the team could go on to greater things next season.

He also congratulated the 2^nd XV for their superb victory in the Aire Wharfe Cup the previous evening and for winning the merit table for the third season running.

The third and fourth teams had also added to the club’s achievements and to its success as a community rugby club that offers rugby to all and a wonderful social side as well.

He was fullsome in praise for the club’s highly successful Youth and Junior section whose teams had been successful at all levels. He particularly looked forward to the more senior players coming through to the club’s senior sides.

Richard Midgley then made the awards with an amusing speech which illustrated just what passion there is about Ilkley Rugby Club. His personal disappointment at having to let the coaching job go was obvious.

Player of the year was Jack Shaylor

Players’ player of the year was John Cooksey

2^nd team player of the year was Rob Conway

3^rd team player of the year was Jonathan Lee

Trainer of the year was Andrew Draper

Clubman of the year was David Adam

The President’s award went to Richard Merkin

The Chairman’s  award went to the inspirational Morag Gillon who has supported her Mum, Hayley in the physio cabin, her Dad and brother, coach and player for the under 16’s and has been a smiling friend to everyone at the club despite struggling with a serious illness throughout the season. Her award prompted the longest and loudest standing ovation ever seen at an Ilkley Rugby club awards ceremony.

Richard Scargill then spoke about the delight he had experienced with all that had gone on at the club, both on and off the field. Special thanks were given to Howard Bell who is stepping down as membership secretary and his son Nick who is stepping down as club captain.

He also announced that the coaching structure for next season would be Mark Luffman, player/coach, assisted by Robin Kay and Richard Midgley. Dave Duxbury would remain Chairman of Rugby. He urged all those doing jobs at the club, however big or small to stick to their tasks as never before.

He was optimistic about the future, disclosing for the first time that plans for a re-development of the site were now at planning stage. He said that the future was bright and exciting but that the club must upgrade its infrastructure to keep up with modern standards and its competitors. The club now needed a facility for the 21^st century.

The assembled audience then were treated to some amusing stories of Norfolk country folk before adjourning to celebrate their achievements further.