The ever popular Christmas Lunch and first pre-match lunch of the season is next Saturday 14th December. There are still places available and is always a very enjoyable event! The lunch will of course be the usual Christmas theme followed by the 1st XV game against Dover.

The day will also conclude with the Christmas party, Carol signing (not that Carol!), & Raffle, so dig out those Christmas jumpers.

Contact President Paul Ehrhart for details and how to book.

After discussions between the committee and senior players, Richard Weston has been appointed as Head of Playing for the remainder of the season. The decision was agreed as it was felt that bringing in a new face directly in at this juncture would mean too much adjustment with the number of games left to play. Richard is responsible for communications and direction, working alongside the coaching staff. In the past few weeks both the Mustangs and First XV have performed better and hopefully the building continues to that first win of the season for the 1^st XV. Richard’s position will be reviewed at the end of the season.

In the background, the club will be casting the net far and wide for a suitable Director of Rugby to come in that will blend with the club’s vision for the next five years. Interviews will be held by a committee & coaching panel throughout the remainder of the season, so that the club has as many options as possible ahead of the new season.

Anyone wishing to apply, should contact the Club Chairman in the first instance.

The club is saddened to hear of the passing this week of ex 1st XV player and long time supporter, Brian Lovelidge. Although, to some here, he was affectionately known as 'Boris'. 
 

Brian was born in 1934 & in 1945 he won a scholarship to Maidstone Grammar School where he did well academically and excelled at sport. He was awarded first fifteen colours and was the school’s discus champion, holding the record for many years. 
He gained a place at Wye College, London University’s agricultural faculty, graduating with a BSc (Agric) in 1956. During his pre-college year (1952) he worked on a fruit, pig and arable farm near Mereworth, Kent and joined Maidstone Rugby Club, playing for our first XV at the tender age of 18. 
 

Rugby club members are very welcome to attend his funeral at Charing Crematorium, Newcourt Wood, Charing, Ashford, Kent TN27 0EB at midday on Friday 13^th December. 

The funeral will be followed by a buffet and drinks at Amy’s Pantry, 4 East Cross, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6AD (next to the Ancient Borough). Parking is at the Tenterden Leisure Centre or Waitrose. 

For catering arrangements, it would be appreciated if members wanting to attend could RSVP as soon as possible to lisa@lovelidge.co.uk or 01580 763801. Family flowers only. There will be a charity collection for Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve on the day or via the funeral directors’ website at https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/obituaries/70150?branded.

The club family extends its best wishes to his daughter Lisa and the entire family at this difficult time. 

The MOQ for Club Blazers has almost been reached, but we are still five people short.

If you have registered interest with Colin Frost but have not confirmed your interest to the club, then please do so as soon as possible.

Please send your interest and required chest size (best to base on an M&S jacket) to MaidstoneRFC@outlook.com.

As soon as the MOQ has been reached, those members will be contacted with regards to the deposit, final cost and lead time for the jackets..

The club online shop has been updated with the new range of branded VX3 wear.

Children sizes are now included and the products can be delivered straight to your door in time for Christmas! Certain items can also be personalised for a small additional fee. You can click the VX3 logo to the left, or the VX3 logo on the Club Shop section to visit the online shop.

Alternatively, for the usual in-house club shop items, the shop will be open on Sundays in the lead up to Christmas.

The draw for allocating our 6 Nations Away tickets (France, Scotland and Italy) will be made on Friday 29^th November 2019 so as to allow the lucky recipients time to book travel and accommodation.

Fully paid up members wishing to be included in the draw should send their request to steve.vincent@hbsv.com stating which match(es) they would like to attend. (Note - max. 2 tickets per person for away fixtures).

Matchball Sponsorship opportunities still remain available for next season's home league and cup fixtures, the first three fixtures in the first half of the season have now been taken up. The remaining fixtures remain available  The cost is £50; if you or your company would be interested in being a Matchball Sponsor for one of these fixtures then please contact Bob Hayton or Julian Debnam in the first instance:

Available: 

21 Sept 19 v Thanet Wdrs = Sold

05 Oct 19 v Hove = Sold

12 Oct 19 v D&B (RFU IC) - Sold

26 Oct 19 v D&B = Sold

23 Nov 19 v Crowborough – Available

14 Dec 19 v Dover – Available

18 Jan 20 v Beccehamians – Available

01 Feb 20 v O Alleynians – Available

22 Feb 20 v Charlton Pk – Available

29 Feb 20 v Haywards Heath – Available

28 Mar 20 v Gravesend – Available

18 Apr 20 v O Colfeians – Available

There are also Shirt No Sponsorship opportunities still available at £150 for the season as follows:

Shirt Nos: 1 (Sold), 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 (Sold), 10, 14, 15, 17 & 18

The club socials and lunches plans are currently being worked on by the social committee.

The Pre-Match lunch and Vice Presidents lunch dates have been confirmed with more details to follow. If you are interested in a date, then please contact Bob Beney or Paul Ehrhart to find out how you could take advantage of the full table discount.

Back by popular demand is the Ladies Lunch. After a very successful luncheon last year, we hope for an encore. For the gentlemen, England v Wales will be on in the bar to keep you occupied amongst friends.

The social committee will be meeting up in the next few weeks and there will be more great events for the whole club to enjoy.

Further details will follow, but for all those important dates and details, just check out the Events page here.

After 14 years long service and an incredible amount of money gained for the club, Bob Hayton will be stepping down as Sponsorship Officer at the end of the season. Over the years Bob has built up a network of relationships that have benefitted the entire club. From shirt sponsors to Mike Tindall & Lawrence Dallaglio visits, his efforts have reaped such reward for the club. With his everyday work load becoming more pressing, coupled with the multiple hats he already wears for the club, he has reluctantly decided to pass one of hits hats on.

The club is obviously looking for a replacement as soon as possible. Bob will be on hand to help transition the existing relationships across to the new incumbents. With the groundwork laid over so many years, maintaining these relationships is key, but should not be to arduous if picked up quickly.

This is not a role that needs to be filled by one person and we do have a couple of volunteers willing to help out. However, the club still desperately needs a lead in which to coordinate the tasks and oversee the role. The club is also looking to offer a commission base for the Sponsorship role as an incentive to any and all volunteers willing to help the club.

If you are interested in coming on board, then please contact Bob Hayton in the first instance.

The only thing left to say is to thank Bob wholeheartedly for his efforts and persistence throughout his tenure, which without, the club could be in a far different place.

London & South East Division 

(London SE Div 2)

Other Fixtures