In Touch Interviews
January 2012 Interview with Tim Reeves
In Touch recently met with Tim Reeves long time stalwart of Ipswich Rugby Club to talk about his rugby career and the club.
Tim’s long playing career began at the age of 13 at Stamford School where he ended up playing prop for the First XV. On leaving school Tim joined Ransomes in Ipswich as an apprentice. In 1954 he started playing for Ipswich when the club was based at Bourne End. Following completion of a long apprenticeship Tim completed two years national service with REME in Cyprus and Germany, he was proud to represent his regiment.
After National Service Tim rejoined Ransomes and Ipswich Rugby Club although he was soon on the move again when his job took him firstly to the north of England where he played for Lincoln for two years, and then on to Alton in Hampshire where he played for the local rugby club. In 1966 Tim was sent to Nairobi, Kenya where he joined the Kenyan Harlequins. Then in 1969, whilst still with Ransomes, he moved to Durban, South Africa, where yet again he ensured that he didn’t miss any playing opportunities by joining Pine Town RFC.On returning to England in the 1970s Tim rejoined Ipswich RFC where he became captain of Ipswich Tankards. After over 35 years playing rugby Tim hung up his boots although his involvement with the club didn’t stop then. Along with mowing the pitches at Humber Doucy Lane, Tim joined the committee for five years taking on the roles of Chairman, bar chairman and President. It was during his time as bar chairman that the club was taken to court under the Lewd and Obscene Act for keeping the bar open after hours. The case was dismissed, though not before an appearance by the full committee at the High Court! For a price of a pint or two Tim may recount the full story.
Tim is great supporter of the club, and is very keen to see more home-grown players in the First XV as has happened this season with a number of juniors making the successful transition to senior rugby. Tim and his cohort of ex-players are known for their great fun antics both at Humber Doucy Lane and further afield. Just ask him to recount the story about he and our esteemed Chairman travelling to an International at Twickenham in a co-op hearse!
November 2011 Interview with Karl King Director of Rugby
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of interviewing Karl King. It was the third time that I had chatted with Karl, but the first time in his role as Director of Rugby. Karl has been in involved with the club for many years, first as a player, then first team captain and latterly club President.
I was interested to find out what the role of Director of Rugby entailed. Karl sees that his job is to highlight weaknesses on and off the park and put solutions in place to address those problems at a first team level. There are number of specific elements to his role including encouraging players to play at Ipswich, to increase the number of players registered, and to bring on the second team and youth sides. Karl is keen to ensure that for every first team position there are a number of guys challenging for that position from the Magpies and U17s. The role of Director of Rugby also involves monitoring the club’s coaching staff. None of this would be possible without the help and co-operation of the club coach Johnny Breedt and his team – Clive Bell and Craig Burrows. Karl watches training sessions and meets weekly with Johnny – that is when he is not in Hong Kong on business!
Karl is very keen to encourage club spirit and to inspire youth players to play for the senior sides all of which will come from a having a strong First XV. A goal of Karl’s is for the club to field three senior sides on a Saturday afternoon, as it his believe that any club of a reasonable size needs do this to remain viable.
It was obvious to me that Karl is enjoying his new role at the club.
Karl can be found on the touch-line on a Saturday afternoon at Humber Doucy Lane or you can email him at karl@karl-king.co.uk.