1st XV Coach Gwilliam Retires
Guests wore rugby shirts of their choice and enjoyed a menu of prawn cocktail, steak and chips and Black Forest gateau.
Photographs will be available via YouTube at the beginning of term.
These are some of the messages we received:
Johnathan Turner (Cl 87-98)
Just a quick message to wish everyone a great night on Friday, apologies for not being able to attend... I will be at another OV's 30th birthday!
I am sure all will agree that PG dedicated himself to rugby at King's and especially his time with the 1st XV. His strict structure and professionalism allowed the squad to operate in confidence... knowing that we always knew more than the opposition!!
Thank you for your encouragement and thank you for adding to everything that made my time at King's so enjoyable.
PS. I think I still owe you £35 for a window in Dublin....
David Woodcock (Cl 88-98)
Apologies that I cannot be with you on what I am sure is a great evening. I just wanted to pass on my thanks to Gwils for all his hard work, dedication and sacrifices over the year as 1st XV coach. There are many fond memories I have, most notably reaching the Rosslyn Park Sevens Final in 1997. It still hurts today that we didn't win that game but with Ben Gollings scoring the winning try it has cushioned the blow. For those that don't know, Gollings became the first player to score over 1500 career points in IRB Sevens, with 1568 at the end of the 2005/06 season. How Gwils turned a prop in to a half decent 7's player is testament to his coaching ability. Thank you so much for your time and input and I wish you all the best.
Charlie Daniell (Cr 92-99)
This sounds like a fantastic idea and a fitting tribute to a great rugby coach.Unfortunately,I will not be able to make it but hope that it is a successful and enjoyable evening.
Chris Dodson (W 89-99)
Unfortunately I will be India so I will not be able to make it, but I will send a cheque in the post so you can add it to the drinking funds or a collection for the big man himself. Sounds like it would have been a great evening. I hope all is going well at Kings. I popped by this Christmas and the place is looking great. Unrecognisable from my days.
Have a great evening.
Richard Paul (Br 95-00)
I do hope you pass my best onto Mr Gwilliam and thank him for the hard but extremely enjoyable few years I had playing at Kings, playing and captaining the Kings First XV is something that I still hold in high regard and always will. Whoever fills his shoes has got a tough job.
Dan Shaw (S 93-00)
I hope it is a good night, please send my best to PTG and SMB.
Simon Willmore (S 99-04)
Thank you very much for your invitation to the dinner but I am afraid I will have to decline. Much as I would like togive my thanks and congratulations to PTGin person, I am unable to get the time off work to make the trip- seeing as I am currently working as a researcher in Grenobleas part of my ERASMUS studies and final year of university, it is a lot harder than it sounds at first!
Factor ina fractured ankle and the obvious impaired mobility I am suffering and I'm sure you can imagine that it is simply too difficult for me to attend. However, the spirit of King's rugby and PTG's influence has not been lost on me... I managed to get up andwalk away just after injuring myself!
All the best to you, 'Gwills' himself and all at King's
Duncan Colquhoun (Br 95-05)
Thank you very much for the invitation.I would love to come, but unfortunately I will be away for six months from the beginning of March, so won't be able to.
Good to hear about the 1st team's success this year.
If you get the chance could you tell Mr Gwilliam that I scored a try playing fly halffrom within my own 22 yardline. I sidestepped the other fly half and sprinted/waddled in an 80 yard try. He'd find that hilarious.
Jacob Underwood (Os 02-08)
I am afraid I will be in Thailand on my gap when this event takes place. I am honoured to invited but however I can not attend the event. Please send my many thanks to Mr.Gwilliam for everything he has done for King's 1st IV rugby.