The AEI RFC 81st Annual Club Dinner marked the end of a long and arduous season, characterised by many injuries, fewer victories and the appearance of an inflatable pig. The preamble consisted of the Club AGM where there was much idle talk of training, selection and blazer badges. As always, this proved an invaluable forum to spark the thirsts of the players (if not drive them to drink).
After the preliminaries of the AGM and the food were over, the post-dinner speakers took centre stage. Former players Rev Edwin Morris and Gary Smith spoke eloquently in support of the club, whilst retiring captain Mark McDonough broke with tradition and uttered more than three words in thanking the players for their season’s efforts (won 13, drawn 2, lost 15, for 658, against 558). However, the speech of the night was given by young AEI fly-half and cross-dresser Paul Eaton who produced numerous ‘alternative awards’ from his bag of tricks, and finished off by ripping off his clothes to reveal an ‘Eric the Banana Man’ costume (you had to be there really).
When all had recovered from the speeches, the official prizes were awarded. Tim Sargent won the Captain’s Cup for donating both blood and teeth in the service of the team, Nick Smith won the Second Team Captain’s Cup for most improved player, Paul Eaton won Player of the Year for commitment and excessive grunting on the field, and Mark McDonough won a closely contested Players’ Player award.
In a final shock move, Neil Waddoups (or was it Eamon Andrews) stood up and presented Paul Thompson with a ‘This is Your Life’ book celebrating the exploits of Banana the Pig. For those not in the know, Banana is an inflatable pig that Mr Thompson abandoned in the club one evening. The pig is now in the possession of the RFF (Rugby Freedom Fighters) and has since had her photograph taken in many exotic locations, to the great annoyance of Thompson (see the AEI web page for all the photos – maybe this should be the subject of a separate article…?).
With the formalities over, the beer began to flow freely, the songs began to ring out round the club and many players were heard reminiscing about the highlights of the season: the tour to Nottingham (and loosing Jocky Corbett), Nick Elliott scoring the one penalty kick of the season, the mini-tour to Kettering, the pig, and even the lost match against the women.
The new season starts on 5 September under newly elected captain Stevie Neal. Training has now moved to Wednesday evenings and will commence from July 1 at 7pm at the GEC Club – all recruits, young and old, are welcome.