31/03/25 | Obituaries
ROGER ROBERTS
13th Oct 1934 to 22nd March 2025
First Club Captain of Lymm RFC 1960/61 Season
Sadly, we have been informed by his wife, Helen, that Roger died peacefully at home, on Saturday 22nd March 2025 aged 90. Roger will of course be known only to a few of our older members but being our first Club Captain, ensures him a special place in the history of the Club. He was one of the original founding Club Pioneers in 1959/60, who laid the foundations of the club we know and love today.
He took up a position in the Sports Departmrnt at Lymm Grammar School from September 1959, where he stayed for two years. Around the same time, Martin Hampson, Peter Holt, Mike Thomason, Richard “Jessie” James et al, were in the process of forming a rugby club. Being a rugby player, Roger joined them at the first meeting in the Spread Eagle hotel on the 14th January 1960 and was elected Captain at the first AGM, a month later on 17th February. Although the first full season was 1960/61, 7 games were played towards the end of 59/60 season.
Lymm RFC 1stXV 1960-61 Season.
L-R back Row – I Rutter, B Sutton, M L Hampson, P Matthews, I Pitchford, G T Higgins, M Farrell, J Hutchings, P Davies, M Sharp.
Middle Row – N Morrall, O Phillips, W Normington, R Roberts (Capt), R Goddard, E Bassett, R Gibbon.
Front – G Rigby, D Holt
Sadly most of the players on the above photograph are no longer with us. Except gladly, Nev Morrall, who should be with us at our forthcoming player’s reunion on 5th April 2025 and Peter Matthews who lives near Windermere in Cumbria. Of course there are others who are still with us but were not present for this photo shoot.
The Club, can trace its lineage back to those pioneering days. Roger and the people involved played a huge part in establishing the culture, traditions and spirit of our Club, both on and off the park and they are still with us today. As part of our Mini, Junior and player induction to the Club, a brief visit to view his photo, Club shirt and the 60/61 team on the wall in the Beechwood bar, would be well worthwhile, they’re the link to our lineage origins.
As well as being Club Captain, Roger also chaired both Ground and Select committees, in addition to helping prepare our Beachwood clubhouse. The club’s 1st XV record for the first 1960/61 season read, wins 13, drawn 1, lost 15. Roger felt rightfully proud of his first season and we were already fielding 3 senior teams and occasional Colts. But he was not with us for 61/62 season, moving to High Wycombe to take up another teaching post and sadly we lost touch with him for over 40 years until around 2005. Then, Peter Cornelia, whilst dealing with a club match sponsor, discovered that he had been a neighbour of Roger’s in the South East and he had his contact details. Peter made contact with him and he was delighted that we tracked him down, now living in Gloucestershire. In 2006, he attended a player’s reunion as guest of honour and presented us with his original Lymm shirt (all white as it was in 60/61). Then in 2010, he and Helen attended, our 50th anniversary, marquee ball, where he met a number of players and former Captains he knew from the early 60’s.
3 Club Captains. L-R Roger Roberts, Jim McLennan, Alan Fraser-Dackers. Player’s reunion 2006
We didn’t see him at the Club again but Roger’s contact details were lodged with Tony Wright and he enjoyed reading the match reports and news items that Tony sends out. Peter C also kept in touch with him and Helen.
His health deteriorated in the last few years but he was cared for at home by Helen and his family. They had 4 children; daughters, Sarah, Kate and Charlotte and to their delight, a late arrival, son John arrived 16 years after the girls. They were then presented with seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Saturday, April 5th is our annual, past player’s reunion when we play Sheffield. He will be remembered in our toast to Absent Friends at our pre match luncheon and we will have a one minute silence in his memory prior to the 2.30pm KO.
There will be a private cremation on Monday 7th April. This will be followed by a celebration of his life at St Nicholas Church, Hatherop on Friday 11th April at 2,30pm. Those who wish to message Helen and the family, can write to her at the following address. Mrs Helen Roberts and Family, 41 Hatherop, Cirencester, Gloucester, GL7 3NA.
Our sincere condolences to you and all the family Helen. Together with all our Absent Friends, now in the Lymm RFC, Upper House, Roger will always be remembered at our annual reunions, and over a beer or two at the bar by the ‘old brigade’.
Rest in Peace Roger.
Peter Cornelia – 30th March 2025