 |
Welcome to
EDWARDIANS FC RUGBY CLUB |
|
|
Malcolm Weller |
||
|
Address: Memorial Ground, Streetsbrook Rd, Solihull B90 3PE Telephone: 0121 744 6831 Our sponsors:
|
On 4th November our dear friend Malcolm died. That evening, we had to pull ourselves together to run the Club’s bonfire night – our biggest fundraising activity of the year. It was felt appropriate to announce the tragic event of the day to the thousands of people who were there. The majority did not know Malcolm, but the Club will never forget the silence with which they listened to and respected the following words: “Ladies and gentlemen, We hope you are all enjoying yourselves this evening and that you continue to do so. However, it is my sad duty tonight to announce the death of one of our Club members – a very popular man. Whilst playing the game he loved, Malcolm Weller collapsed and died this afternoon, during a 3rd Team game against our local rivals Old Saltleians. We suspect a heart attack. Malcolm was 40 years old. He was a Club man through and through and this year he was 3rd Team captain for the 2nd time. He was one of the coaches for the many boys and girls who turned up to learn this great game of Rugby Football every Sunday morning. An ex 1st Team player, a Committee member, Malcolm was always happy to help the Club. Indeed, he should’ve been collecting money from you all at the gate tonight. Malcolm will be sorely missed by Edwardian Rugby Football Club and more importantly by his family. I ask you all to respect a moments silence for Edwardian, Malcolm Weller. (silence) Thank you. We dedicate tonight’s display to his memory.” Brian Chappelhow --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a member of the club and
friend of Malcolm's I personally want to express my sorrow at losing
such a valuable contributor to the game of Rugby . Malcolm was such a
great club member in its broadest sense, and will be sorely missed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was a friend of Malcolm's
during the time he worked at Textron, I had not spoken to Mal for a
while as you never think there is a rush and you will catch up one day,
but sadly time ran out. I attended his funeral and heard there would be
events to mark his memory and to raise cash for his --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a very sad and emotional
day last Friday at the Robin Hood Crematorium. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Malcolm, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Guys, Well I wished I was writing for a better reason! I heard about Malcolm via Jon Parkes and also my parents sent me out the newspaper cutting. I played in the same team as Malcolm on many occassions and still have strong memories of all the games I played with most of you guys. Starting from the days of the colts with good old George up untill the time I left to live in N.Z, the Old Ed's was a special time in my rugby years! I have passed the sad news on to Des ( Dereck Bloomfeild) Dumper (Richard Denhardt) Chris Burgess and Steve Cookson, our thoughts and memories are with all of you on this sad day. Regards to all Stuart Cookson (Cookie) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I would like to thank all who attended Malcolms funeral, the club, its members staff and players, its nice to know that he had so many good friends, both on and off the field, special thanks to the two players who tried in vain to save Malc, it would have been a super human effort to continue CPR until paramedics arrived. I am still lost for words by the way you have helped the rest of our family in their moment of need and the way you are looking out for Dannie and James Once again thanks and best wishes to you all, Keith (malcs brov) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a fairly new visitor to the Ed's in recent months I feel compelled to express my sincere condolences to his family and all at the club today who will remember Malcolm today as you say your farewells. His passing, although he was not personally known to me, will leave me with an everlasting memory. I arrived at the club, albeit late and whilst on route with my family, passing a responder and ambulance only to discover that this was indeed as a result of the loss of a much loved Ed's member. On arrival on that fated day we were met with concerned and very sombre faces, the feeling within the club was entirely different but not completely. What I witnessed was exactly what has been extended to myself and family alike. Friendship, support, encouragement and a true feeling of 'a community'. This was an environment where all were able to feel free to express and show emotion, feel support or just be. This is a testament to what is a fabulous club! Over the years I have been involved through my eldest son (now 16) playing Rugby for a number of clubs and within school. My now youngest son (7) has now begun to play at Ed's this season, never in all the years have I felt that a club was more friendly or welcoming. My lasting memory of his first day being introduced to Rugby will be his first exposure to "a warm up", never have I seen children having so much fun, a truly uplifting and refreshing experience. Coaches were being chased, tackled to the ground and but most importantly reaching the children at their level, showing them by leadership that adults and children alike can have real fun and laughter whilst leaders such as Malcom pass on and share their expertise. Well done to all involved with this - it really matters! Malcolm as one of those valued coaches for the youngsters you will truly be missed - what a great job you and those around you have done to build such a wonderful environment for youngsters to learn! Thank you from a grateful mother and friend of the club! Rest in peace! Ruth Whittall ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My
best and fondest memory of Malcolm is when we played together in the 2nd
XV many years ago away to
We
turned up late and had to get changed and go straight on to the pitch.
14 of us were still in the car as the game started and those 14 remained
there for most of the game, apart from Malcolm. He was well up for the
game. Unsurprisingly we found ourselves 8 - 0 down very shortly after
the start. Malcolm kicked us back into the game with a finely struck
penalty. He tackled liked a tiger around the pitch, broke up many of
their attacks and made many breaks and led by example and inspired some
of us to start playing.
He
was a step above us all that day. He really wanted it and kept us in the
game. With about 5 minutes to go and still 8-3 down we had a scrum just
inside their half.
Malcolm fed the ball into the scrum and it rather than pass to the fly
half as planned, he picked the ball up and went blind straight into
their scrum half. At this stage everyone is going “What the hell is
Weller doing”, but he got past his opposite number. Some stood in
disbelief as he continued up the blind side and watched scratching their
heads and a few of our players ran after him in an attempt to support
the now marauding Malcolm Weller.
No
one managed to catch up with him. Malcolm managed to evade their entire
back row and to get past the covering centres. He now had only the
winger and full back to beat. At this stage the rest of his team mates
are now shouting words of support and encouragement “Go on Malcolm”
clapping and cheering, however many of them still stood watching on the
halfway line.
Malcolm chipped the winger collected the ball and managed to score in
the corner as their full back tried to tackle him into touch.
Malcolm slotted over the conversion from the left hand touch line to put
Eds into a 10 – 8 lead which was never surrendered. Malcolm won
that game all on his own that day and embodied every characteristic you
could wish for in a rugby player. He loved his rugby and lived for
his game on a Saturday and always played with determination and spirit
and a will to win.
Rest in Peace Malcolm you will be missed
Derek O'Reilly --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As club captain I feel it appropriate to say a few words about Malcolm. Malc has been a permanent fixture at our club for as long as I can remember. He echoed all that is good about our game. Not only did he love his rugby as a player on the field but he loved the social side of amateur rugby - the after game drinks, the laughs, the day trips away. This year I have realised just how much effort goes on behind the scenes by volunteers to allow an amateur club to operate. Malcolm was 3rd team captain, heavily involved with our thriving junior section and I often saw him pushing a lawn mower over the pitches or marking out the lines. Yesterday the 1st team showed amazing character to secure our second win of the season. Away at Ledbury we clawed our way back from 31-12 down to win 33-31 with the winning conversion going through the posts on the final whistle. It was one of those special games that sticks in the memory for a long time. We held a minutes silence before kick off in honour of Malcolm. I would like to dedicate yesterdays win to our old friend and club member. He will be missed by all of us. Knighty ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Malcolm
A great
friend and a very proud man who loved playing and watching
Richard Yates --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was shocked and greatly saddened to hear that Malcolm had passed away. I only played with him for a few years, but he was a great guy. Gutsy on the rugby field, and very warm and friendly off it. It was no surprise that since the last time I played at the club he went on to take a leading role in the youth set up. I'm sure he will be fondly remembered by everyone associated with the club. On behalf of my wife and I, I'd like to offer our condolences to Malcom's family. Mat Watson --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A true clubman, we were very fortunate to have Malcolm as an Edwardian for almost 2 decades. I was lucky enough to play for Eds with Malcolm as captain just 3 weeks ago, when he persuaded me to dig out my boots. It was an honour and a pleasure to play with someone who loves the game and the club as he did. At the end of the game he pulled out a bottle of Port and passed it around the changing room. Whenever I have a glass in the future I will think of him. Mike Pearce (1st Team Captain 1991-93) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Hill RFC send their sincere condolences for the sad loss of Malcolm Weller to his family and Edwardians RFC. Malcom was an U7s coach at Camp Hill a while back and has been remembered by those who coached our Minis and Juniors at the same time he did. Regards Karen Gibbons Honorary Secretary Camp Hill RFC --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He Will Be Missed Malcolm was a great character at the club, always smiling and ready to talk you through his try several times over a couple of beers. A great club man in every sense of the phrase, who had time for everyone be you new to the club or seasoned vet, he is someone i always expected to see when at the club. Good company at the annual dinners, be a source of ridicule over "being a cockney" jellied eels and his beloved watford, i had ten great years there before moving to NZ and played with malcolm in the 2nd XV and 3rd XV for most of them.
I am sorry to hear of his passing
I would hope the club does its best to remember and honour him with a
trophy in some form for the 3rd XV at the annual dinner for years to
come ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It
seems only a short while ago that a young buck turned up at The Eds,
having played a great deal of rugby at St. Albans and told me it was
time to step aside as scrum half.
For
many years we vied for position at one level or another, but Malcolm
always had the edge in every department. We became rivals for a
position, but good friends. “How many tries did you score Gilly” is
always the first sentence when we met in the bar after a match.
My
lasting memory is off the pitch when Malcolm was selling fish. He
regularly turned up at our house in Monkspath, knowing we are fairly
partial to the product. One evening we were at friends (Lee Holton) in
Sutton Coldfield when the bell rang. I recognised the voice and went to
see who was negotiating with Lee at 9.00pm on a Saturday evening only to
meet Malcolm. The look on his face was unbelievable.
I
do not attend The Eds very often, but I was always confronted with a
warm welcome from all, particularly Malcolm and his family. My shock and
upset upon reading the Birmingham Post on Monday is echoed by all my
family.
Our
deepest sympathy goes to Malcolm’s family, particularly Mandy, Danielle
and James.
Kind Regards. Yours sincerely
S. P. GILMORE Alias “Gilly” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malcolm was our coach at the junior Rugby and we are very sad and sorry
about what happened to him on Satuday afternoon. He will be greatly
missed by all on the junior section and by his team mates. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To all at Ed's from all at the Exiles ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear all at
Edwardians
On Behalf of
all the members at Solihull RUFC we are very sorry to hear of your
recent loss.
Please pass
on our condolences to Malcolm’s family and your members. He will
be sadly missed by all who knew him and a great loss to the game of
rugby.
Please let
us know if there is anything we can do and we should be grateful if you
could let us know about the funeral arrangements so that we can pay our
respects.
Kindest
Regards
Phil Watson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Malcolm always showed great support to me and always would stop and see how i was getting on. Only two weeks ago, he phoned me up to see how I was, knowing i was ill and he told me "to get up the club again where all my mates are". Malc was the genuine article and was never shy to say what he thought and had true values. He will be sorely missed at the club, a true Edwardian, who wore his heart on his sleeve and made time for everyone. All the best Weller, you wont be forgotten. Will Martin
|
|
