Discovering winecountry

Blackheath FC rugby club, or ‘The Club’ as it is known holds a very special place in the history of rugby football. Not only is it the oldest open club in existence, but it and its representatives have played a crucial part in the development of the game itself; indeed over 240 players of international standing have played in The Club’s famous red-and-black shirt – a record that cannot be matched by any other rugby club.

Carlisle United have had some truly great footballers over the years, but it takes someone very special to attain cult status at Brunton Park. Someone like Jimmy McConnell, who wound up opposition players by telling them he would put them on their backsides before scoring a goal! Then there was the legendary Alan Ross, a goalkeeper who enjoyed reading a newspaper… during a game. Then there was the one and only Stan Bowles, who was collected by taxi from the bokkies just before home games.