Another good day at the square! Well maybe not for the first team? However I’m of the belief that what doesn’t kill you is only making you better. So let’s just say that the first team will be better in the future? The girls on the other hand were having a very high spirited game of their own; in fact I thought it was a Chilean bus tour when I started watching, with our ladies giving no quarter. Well done girls!

The alumni had a good turn out considering it was vacation time etc. The club had laid on some great nosh after the game, Geoff Ash (who was maybe eating for two) and I, made sure that the alumni were well represented at the table. Malcolm was there after driving down from way up north with a very attractive lady (I hear real estate agents calling) but he had to be there because Owen would be giving him stick if he didn’t show. Speaking of Owen he got twenty bucks each from all the alumni for the raffle of a Texas Mickey that Chris Bembrose won and because he (Chris) had already left, Owen gave it back to the club so they could drink it on the bus during their pub crawl that night. When I told Chris at the golf day of his win he was pissed off because he says he never wins anything, which is not entirely true because he did win the hand of the fair Jo!!!

Speaking of the golf day what a great day for the Saracens. First of all the club had arranged the day and did a great job. So thanks to Geoff, Shannon, Alex and Chris (Great shirts also)

The golf was actually OK for some people but Paul Loader and I brought the course to its knees. We were on the same cart and we might as well have been driving a plough judging by the divots we took. I had an excuse because Paul’s hair was getting in my eyes.

However the best part of the day was put on by Mr. MC himself James Trainor who ran an auction. One of the coolest things he did was to have everyone stand up and as the year you joined the Saracens was called you sat down. (A Wayne Maddever idea). I got down to the final four and had to sit at 1973 leaving Jim Trainor, Ian Macreath and Mel James. Ian ended up last man standing so he got a prize, but what was really good was that looking around the room you couldn’t help but notice that there were many very good players from different eras. The three (Jim, Mel and Ian) left standing were all very good players. Guys like Mark Rad, Bill Sommerville, Andy Wright, Paul Loader and John Gibson just to name a few. There were too many to name, many of them had also worked on the executive committee as well over the years and are apparently still helping out the club. So well done to all that were there.

The main event of the day however was Jim Trainors auction. Paul Loader (Mr. Saracen) who doesn’t even like golf but plays every year, agreed to let his long hair be auctioned off. It was Owens idea and I did know about it because we had discussed it the week earlier at the game. I was one of the people, along with Paul, (who was unaware at the time) called to the front so that we could model our hair styles. Mine is short with lots of pink in it. Owen quietly made the suggestion to Paul and surprise…… he was also carrying scissors. No surprise from Paul he agreed without hesitation. (What a great sport he is!) and the bidding began.

It was brutal at first, it seemed like everybody wanted a piece of Loader. The genius Trainor had the price up over $500 when he craftily split the item (Hair) and sold half each to the two highest bidders, Messrs. Gibson and Wright. What a hoot! He got over a $1,000 for the hair. What generosity from three great Saracens Paul, John and Andy and the big winner was the club.

In closing, I must say that we do have some very generous members who always come forward like Bill and Mark etc. and I know that the club does appreciate it. But let’s see how much Jim can get for Paul’s pubic hair next year!

But before you go please read the letter below.

August 31, 2007

Fellow Saracens young and old,

Chris Hoskins and I want to take a moment of your time to bring to your attention some disturbing news. Alex Faux a stalwart Saracen and a man with a generous and great heart have been stricken with health issues as of late. Alex has contracted a very nasty infection that has located itself in his lower back. Alex recent had surgery to remove the infection but remains hospitalized until the infection is gone. The path the infection has taken has left Alex with little ability to move his legs. It is hopeful that this stubborn SOB will have a full recovery. However, the nature of the infection and ensuing rehab will take some time.

This brings me to the issue at hand. Chris and I would like to solicit your help to reach out and help Alex, Joan and the boys at this very difficult time. We are looking for a fundraising opportunity to help the Faux’s through the next few months. Alex is self employed so if he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid. It seems like decades ago; actually it was decades ago that some misguided financial institution gave Alex his first credit card. Alex proceeded to drop it down on the bar at the Unicorn and proceed to max it out.

We will be looking for a timely opportunity to have this chance for the Saracen faithful to step up and show their support. We would like to to cover three months of expenses to take some stress off the Faux family and let Alex focus on beating the infection and getting on the road to recovery.

Please contact either Chris or myself if you want to help in any way and we hope that you will find the opportunity to share in helping Alex and his family at this difficult time.


Chris Hoskins and Mike Purdy

Saracens Day, July 21st

Looks to be a full day for the Saracens and the alumni.

Here are the game times/locations and comments supplied by Shannon.

Women vs. Scottish (Saracens Pitch)

2nds @ 12:00

1sts @ 1:30

Men vs. Aurora (Stadium Pitch)

3rds @ 12:00

2nds @ 1:30

1sts @ 3:00

After the games we'll all be heading up to the club house for a potluck lunch in the back room. Current players will be bringing the grub, alumni get to eat it! We'll also be having some raffles and I believe Mr. James A.Trainor will be auctioning off some Rugby Canada memorabilia in order to support some of our juniors who have been selected to provincial teams. Shannon S.

Hopefully the club will introduce these selected players so that we can have an opportunity to congratulate them on this honour and for representing the Saracens.

Also, by special request, the chug-a-lug Saracens Keg will be making its comeback… Some of the alumni from the June 7th day were mentioning they'd like to challenge some of the current players to a match… could be fun!

I do believe that it was Mel James who was up for the chug-a-lug and please if any of you do this remember to remove your teeth first. It's always messy looking for them later.

Also Shannon wants to let the alumni in on something she is proud of – Fletcher's is holding a beer drinking competition over the summer. The team that purchases the most pitchers (wearing a team shirt) will receive a free keg party at the end of the year. She is pleased to report that she and the Saracens currently hold first place. At the end of the first weekend the Saracens stood at 29 pitchers. 2nd place had 12… a good start!

Way to go Shannon. Now if any of you old guys have a shirt that fits lets help her out on the 21st.

Saracens golf day, (July 26th)this is a big fund raising day for the club, it is also a fun day for anyone who participates so join in.

This year, the cost for the event is $135 per person, which covers green fees, a dinner, some sort of entry gift, and a beer & hot dog at the turn!!. (Carts, beers, balls, clubs are additional costs and should be arranged directly with the golf course.The event will be played at Glen Cedars (who usually put on a good show, and will feature long drives, close to the pin, and other competitions). Please contact either Chris Rideout crideout@allstream.net or Geoff Howes geoff_howes@hotmail.com to confirm your foursome. Note: I know Chris will be sending more info so check it out.

When I arrived at the Square I met Bob Thomas who was watching the women’s game and he told me that it was a great game. Of course Bob was right it was a great game with our girls in command. It was good to see that they didn’t let up and ran up a good score against what looked like good competition.





Anyway it was my first time watching women’s play and I have to say that I was very impressed. Well done Saracens!

We took the opportunity to take photos of the girls with the team sponsor, Amanda Squires, who as you should know is a member of the Saracens Alumni, and the successful coach Rob Brohman who I think should have both hands in front of him for pictures.

Note, Amanda’s day wasn’t all fun. I saw Keith Hancock and Brian Smith talking to her in the bar and it looked like she couldn’t get away. You just can’t have it all. (Is that Malcolm in the back?)






Hey, that’s a lot of experience watching the Saracens First. Al Graham, Bill Johnston,
Geoff (The Yorkshire Ripper) Ash and Bob Thomas. Four very good players in their day react to the referees call which as you can see was not popular. Geoff passed on a comment to the ref right after this photo.


Other notables who were there (please forgive if I missed you but the memory is shot) Rod Thorne, Roger McEwan, Gary Loader, Ian McCreath, John Lambert, Keith Hancock, Mel James, Mike Dwhytie, Owen Santilly, Steve Thorndyke, Steve Townend, Kelvin Christie, Duncan Page, Rob Roland, Gina Minutillo, Angie Brown, Martha Perry, Ben Perry, Amanda Squires, Andrew Wright, Bill Gragnoli, Brian Smith, Chris Bemrose, Chris Hoskins, Chris Rideout, Pat Russell. (Owen where's Malcolm is he on the other side with the coaches?)












Some of us have grown up. Some of us have grown so old we've gone off but none of us can claim to be mature, as demonstrated by Roger. Rod looks perplexed because his cup is empty and Ian loves flashing those teeth. Sorry Kel I know this is not your good side. I did think about the right but when I looked at it I thought what the heck ! Anyway I did get your picture on the blog. (Owen. Do you think Malcolm is still watching the women? ( Owen: No they will be in the changing room) I know but is he still watching them?)






Anyway we all had a great day and more than one old player said that watching the game makes you want to play again. Thank god that we will be sober in the morning. When I said we all enjoyed the game I want to point out that Chris is actually smiling here. He also e-mailed me thanking me for setting up the day and planning on coming to the next one.

I know it looks like Roger is stuck in this position and he has obviously forgotten “That You Don’t Mess Around With Rod Thorne”

Although Rod has emptied all the cups, he can still demonstrate that he can touch his forehead with his finger. No Rod I said forehead! (WHAT MALCOLM DIDN’T MAKE IT! Well at least he hasn’t got my sweater. Is he ill, dead or what?)



We are playing June 16th and 23rd also at the Square. If you have the time drop by and give some support. I plan on attending on the 23rd against Brantford.
But don’t forget the next game where we want a big turn out is July 21st. I’m hoping to have a raffle to raise some money for recruitment and I’m thinking of offering Hair Transplants, Liposuction or a Sex Life as prizes. If you have an idea pass them along.
Cheers

Alumni Recruitment Update:

We have sent out well over a hundred emails along with our recruitment pdf targeting specific groups (sample attached for Queens University) and the biggest response so far has been from the university program, where we sent out an email to coaches of the twelve Ontario universities that run a men's rugby program, and 8 out of the 12 universities responded fairly quickly to our offer of a $100 donation to their program. The $100 donation was offerred as our way of thanking the coaches for forwarding our recruitment pdf along to their rosters (probably 400 players in total) and of supporting university rugby in general as a good cause. The funding for the donation was from the proceeds from our fund-raising Alumni event held on April 1st.
In the past, the Saracens have recruited quite a few good players from university rugby and universities will continue to be the focus of our future recruiting efforts. Several people have made some excellent suggestions about ongoing future support of university rugby programs. This would involve programs such as providing practice sweaters or rugby balls c/w a logo such as "Donated by Toronto Saracens in support of university rugby" or man-of-the-match / MVP awards, again with the Saracens logo, etc. The funding for these ongoing programs would come from Alumni events and donations.
Thanks to everybody who has helped out to-date with the Alumni recruitment effort and please send in any ideas that you may have for future recruitment efforts. And I would like to remind everybody that each of you has agreed, whether you thought you did or not, to recruit one new player for the Saracens in 2007.
Please keep the Saracens top-of-mind if you happen to run into a potential rugby player anywhere, anytime.


Cheers Brian

Saracens Alumni Brunch April 1, 2007

The first Saracens Alumni Brunch was a great success, rekindling many old friendships and raising about $2,000 for the Toronto Saracens Rugby Club. All those in attendance were also asked to help out with Recruitment for the Saracens, with everybody there agreeing to each recruit one new player for the Saracens in 2007.

Many thanks to Geoff Howes and Shannon Smith who ran the event for the Alumni and to Nick Beveridge, who worked with Geoff on the initial concept and planning.

We will be sending out another email announcing the next Alumni event as soon as we figure out when and what it's going to be.
Thanks to everybody for coming.
Cheers,
Brian Smith

In the first photo above, Roger McEwan is describing how much bigger he felt after his hair transplant. Bob Thomas and Wayne Maddever are ignoring Roger. Wayne is probably explaining how he recently broke his right hand after punching a car in anger. Wayne is the same guy who once spent five days in the hospital after blocking a kick with his right eye. Please feel free to add your own comments in the Comments section at the end of this posting.


Kelvin Christie, Keith Hancock and Rod Thorne (nobody messes with....).
You should have seen Kelvin's eyes light up when Geoff Howes asked for MORE noise on the sideline this year.
Keith is Chairman of the Saracens Alumni Committee and has spent countless hours contacting Alumni. Most of our future contact will be via the Alumni blog and emails, rather than phone calls.

Steve Thorndyke, Mel James and Al Graham, all Past-Presidents or Captains of the Saracens.


Gord Ramsey, Mike Carig and Tim Bates, who reminded me that I was a member of the Selection Committee who dropped him on April 27th, 1976 after he had played 119 games as first team prop before I was elected Captain.



Bill Johnson having breakfast with all his friends. Actually this was his fourth trip back to the buffet table and he was, quite frankly, embarrassed.





Mark and Jeff MacDonald, Steve Godwin and Nick Beveridge, who originally came up with the idea of a fund-raising brunch.
We showed a couple of rugby games too, but unfortunately Wales put a beating on England in one of the games, so many of the Englishmen in the crowd were forced to drown their sorrows. It did bring a tear to my eye however, watching Clay Dight sing the Welsh national anthem.

Below are Pat Russell, Steve Townend, Malcolm Parrish and Jimmy "The Kick" Trainor.











The following is a list of all those in attendance at the first Saracens Alumni Brunch. If you were there and I have forgotten to put your name on the list, then you must have forgotten to buy me a beer.
There are two Founding Members on the list, Bob Thomas and Tom O’Connor.

Alex Falconer
Alex Neverman
Allan Graham
Amanda Squire
Barry Watkins
Bill Gragnoli
Bill Johnson
Bill Somerville
Bob Thomas
Brian Smith
Chris Maclean
Chris Rickard
Chris Rideout
Clay Dight
Dave Phillips
Don Winter
Gary Loader
Gary Smith
Geoff Howes
George Hendrie
Gord Morgan
Gord Pett
Gord Ramsey
Jeff Harding
Jeff MacDonald
Jim Trainor
Jose Lebrero
Keith Hancock
Kelvin Christie
Kenny Sutherland
Kevin O'Neill
Malcolm Parish
Mark MacDonald
Mel James
Mike Carrig
Mike Dwhytie
Nick Beveridge
Owen Santilly
Pat Russell
Paul Loader
Rob Brohman
Rod Thorne
Roger McEwan
Sandra Bosich
Sebastion Cabot
Shannon Smith
Steve Godwin
Steve Morgan
Steve Thorndyke
Steve Townend
Tim Bates
Tom O'Connor
Wayne Maddever
Will Goddard

Photo of Jim Trainor

Below is a photo of Jim Trainor and a couple of other old guys at the Saracens 50th Anniversary Celebrations in 2004. Jim asked me to post a picture of him on the blog and we couldn't find any action shots of him actually playing rugby.



Some of you will remember that Jim, at this point in the evening, had removed his underwear. I'm only putting it in now because I received so much grief (See Jim's e-mail below) over how small it was the first time I used it in the recruitment flyer. Well Jim, if you want me to publish the picture I have of you removing your underwear I will, but its even smaller than this. And I'm not talking about the picture. Call me if you need an explanation.

Remember Jim is looking into the future on behalf of the alumni.

Jim wrote.

I think that the small picture in the middle of the photo montage.....thats MONTAGE........should be enlarged significantly....thats SIGNIFICANTLY...to properly reflect and showcase some forward thinking.....thats THINKING......on the part of some of the more important members of the Saracens....thats THINKING not STINKING....some people have dirty minds.

Geoff Howes has an offer

Attention !
Geoff Howes has an offer? He is selling advertisement space on chests. Rumor has it that Pamela Anderson will model the shirt for "You", if "You" buy it. Until then you can see it on the big pair below. Here's Geoff .

OK everyone the time has come!

Who will win the prestige of the front main sponsorship of our men's first
team? Fred Burton had the high honour last year and has put in a starting bid of
$2000 this year! Will anyone fight for this distinguished privilege and increase the bid?

Particulars;
We will play 4 games on Rogers TV this year!
A receipt will be given for tax purposes.
Front pages advertising on our website.

There are also other opportunities for space. Please let me know if you
have any interest.
Geoff can be reached at geoff_howes@hotmail.com

We are Saracen's

We got some appreciated feedback from our first news letter. Penny McCarthy sent this picture of the 1985/86 winning third team.


As she says there will be a few faces you recognize even some with hair. As you can see by Duncan Pages stance it was before he had the hemeroids off.

We got a note from George Hendrie telling us that he will be at the brunch. A great letter from Tim (Master) Bates that I will post at an other time. Pat Russell, Mike Purdy responded and we got a nice letter from Tom Beckett who has offered to promote the Saracen's at the local clubs in Newfoundland. Tom, a scrum half seems to have lost his way, he just informed me that he is a member of the Opimian Wine Society. A wine society on the rock does Stompin Tom Conners know about this?

But the one I like is below. I like it because of the way he starts it. "I'm a Saracen" I like that because if you were one you always will be one. Saracen that is. Here is his offer of assitance.

I'm a Saracen who played from about 1985 to 1995 - during the period of Saracen history that included the likes of Sam MacCoubrey [hope I spelled that right], Tim Gardiner, Andy Wright and Dave Miller - during the period of the infamous "bucket house" on Lawrence Ave W.

I don't really play Rugby anymore - health problems - though quite frankly I could never really play rugby anyway. But I've been in touch with some of the alums - including my brother Peter Hadas and occasionally a few of the other Saracens at events when I pass through town.

I am now living in Japan in Tokyo, where I work for a Japanese mobile/web video production company, and may be able to spread the Saracen word to a few of the Japanese clubs here. Rugby is a huge sport here [though the Japanese national teamresults would send a different message] and I'd love to dowhat I can to recruit Japanese players who go to Toronto for work or permanent relcations. I do speak Japanese, so I can rty o get together with the rugby clubs here to spread the word.

Let me know if you have any suggenstions for drawing in recruits.

Take Care,


Mike Hadas

Rugby Legend Battling Alec Bell

Unearthed After Decades Zoom and
Battling Alec Bell:Citizens of The World


GEEK EXCLUSIVE:
Dateline Penzance -Battling Alec Bell, the brawling legend of Ontario rugby who was feared lost at sea, has been discovered alive - propping up the bar at the CAMRA-rated Alexandra Inn in this Cornish fishing port of Penzance, Geek can report. AJ Bell, a leading figure in the Saracens Rugby Club, dropped out of sight almost two decades ago in circumstances that could only be described as "mysterious".
Having wreaked considerable havoc both on the pitch and in numerous pubs from Fletchers Fields to Pittsburgh, and with rumors of unpaid parking tickets and abandoned women chasing him from one squalid Toronto bedsit to another, Bell had little choice but to disappear.


However, as with most larger than life legends, Bell was never forgotten, partly due to the regular and unsolicited late-night phone calls received by Saracens Old Boys in Toronto. It was just such a phone call in March 2005 to Robert W. (Bob), a former Bell associate and captain of the Saracens third team, that led to the historic meeting in Penzance. Geek had exclusive access to the transcript of their telecom, which begins:
Zoom: Hello.
AJ Bell: Is that you, Zoom? It's Alec. I'm pissed.
"[Remainder of transcript unprintable – Ed.]
After considerable negotiation of book and film rights, Bell agreed to allow Robert W. (Bob) access to the true facts of his disappearance and against-all-odds survival. However, due to contractual restraints, Geek must remain silent, for the moment.
"Wokonanoonay: The Alec Bell Story" - The book, film and DVD are released worldwide on an unspecified date in 2006.