REG DONATES RUGBY MEMORABILIA (Reg Clark)

REG DONATES RUGBY MEMORABILIA

February 3, 2010 3:23 PM

Clipping from the Hartlepool Mail Extract from the Hartlepool Mail:

"A former rugby player who saved memorabilia from his club when they lost their home during a catastrophic collapse has donated it back after they made a fresh start. Reg Clark, who is set to stand for the Liberal Democrats in Hartlepool in the next General Election, played for West Hartlepool Rugby Football Club during the 1970s.

When the club went into freefall and lost its ground and clubhouse in Brierton Lane, Mr Clark managed to salvage some of the memorabilia from the walls.

My Clark, who now lives in London running a rugby equipment firm, recently visited the town to hand back the shirts, including an Oxford University top worn by him, as well as a collection of photos. They will now take pride of place on West's walls at their new Brinkburn home, which is part of Hartlepool Sixth Form College off Catcote Rd.

Mr Clark said, West Hartlepool had a meteoric rise and a catastrophic fall, meaning they lost their ground and clubhouse. The life and soul of a club is the clubhouse so I was pleased to this new one up and running and was delighted to donate these items back. I remember when it all happened and I thought,'you can't take the history away', and I hope this brings a bit of it back."

The married dad-of-two is a big lover of sport and has been a member of Tech Rugby Club, Seaton Carew Cricket Club and Burn Road Harriers. He moved out of the area when he was 18 to study modern history at Christ Church, Oxford, before working in Japan for Kobe Steel and eventually settling in Kew, London. Mr Clark, who also stood for election in Hartlepool during the 1997 Labour landslide, said: "It was very sad what happened to West. With the professional game coming in during the 90s they could have been a big player but like many clubs, they got it wrong. But they have kept going and have kept their history. Rugby is very important in Hartlepool and I still have many friends involved with the club."