LANCASHIRE might not quite be the rugby hotspot at senior level it once was but the Red Rose county remains a powerhouse at schools level and Kirkham GS have been one of the schools to sustain that tradition.
Kirkham, situated midway between Preston and Blackpool, switched to rugby from football relatively late in 1924 and for a while it would be fair to say they operated in the shadow of other schools in the north west – the likes of Blackpool GS, RGS Lancaster, Cowley and St Edwards.
They had their moments – Stephen Wilcock just missed out on an England Schools cap in 1961 and in the 1972-73 season both Keith Aitchison and Clive Hughes won England 19 group caps.
The turning point came soon after the school went independent and co-educational in 1979, a move which many feared might reduce their competitiveness on account of reduced numbers. That was always a possibility but, as is often the case, an exceptional coach stepped forward to breathe life into the rugby programme.
That man was Brian Gornall, a future England Schools coach, who saw the big picture and the need for a long-term plan. As he was to serve as head of rugby for 28 years, he had plenty of time. The improvement did not happen overnight but gradually Kirkham became a force to be reckoned with.
Success at the Preston Grasshoppers tournament – a highly prestigious event in its day – offered early encouragement while KGS set their sights high with a successful world tour in 1987. Heading into the 90s they had become one of the teams to beat and then came an exceptional group, led by brothers Pat and Alex Sanderson, that raised the bar even higher.
This story is from the March 21, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 21, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Army leave it late to regain trophy
MOMENTS and minutes change matches in equal measure, and that is exactly what happened at Kingsholm as the British Army’s men regained the Inter Service Championship trophy.
Blues hold on in battle at the top
BLUES held on with their backs to their try line as they edged past the Hurricanes 31-27 to leapfrog their Kiwi rivals and move top of the table.
Harrison leads from front to seal it for Saracens
SARACENS returned to Allianz PWR action with a bonus-point win at StoneX Stadium.
Coventry denied by powerful Pirates
SHEER pack power delivered two classic late rolling maul tries as Pirates maintained their quest for a second place Championship finish.
Davies the leading light in Welsh quartet
FOUR international flyhalves took flight from Wales last year, understandably so given the alternative of staying put on contracts shredded by the rugby recession.
Rugby's holy trinity prove the difference
SINCE time immemorial, rugby has been cloaked in its own cliches: Prince Obolensky was always “dashing”; Colin Meads lived his life as an “unsmiling giant”; Martin Johnson was rarely anything other than “beetle-browed”; and Billy Vunipola, easier to stop with an elephant gun than he is with a Taser according to recent evidence from a late-night bar in Mallorca, will forever be known as “the man who shamed the shirt he wasn’t wearing”.
Tbilisi win was key - Skivington
GEORGE Skivington has credited the European Challenge Cup win against Black Lion in Tbilisi as the moment Gloucester turned their season around.
Scarlets pay price for lack of discipline
ULSTER gave their URC play-off hopes a major boost as they capitalised on indiscipline from the hosts to secure maximum points in Llanelli.
James at his best as Sale keep in the race
SAM James might be departing for pastures new but Sale’s Mr Dependable produced a nigh on immaculate performance at full-back as they continue to battle for a play-off place.
Russell masterclass has Bath in top gear
FINN Russell scored eight points, pulled the strings for three of Bath’s tries and barely put a foot wrong in a classy display that will send shivers down the spine of their Premiership title rivals.