Tonight, we welcome Wallingford Veterans to Hailey Road, welcome all, we hope you enjoy our hospitality and a great game of rugby.
Focussing on our older Club stalwarts it is hard to draw out individuals, we have so many top contributors, receiving help to pull on shirts that have obviously shrunk with having been washed so many times. There are some names here which would be at home in the senior men’s team sheets, Richie Craig, Tom Young, Joe Rowles, Wayne Caffekey, Ben McPherson, Jon Derrick, the list goes on. Let’s not forget our battling coaches, Adam & Simon Copperwheat and Carl Strutt. Not sure if Mike (Fish) Dunbar is bringing his boots and his defibrillator, but his support to the Vets, like everyone else who pulls on a shirt shows just how great a Club we have here.
Thank you guys, your continued support is appreciated, stay fit, stay healthy, keep smiling.
There will be a one minute silence prior to the game in respect of Andrew ‘AT’ Tacon.
Bob Fisk - Chairman
£16 each
TheWitneystoreisatruecommunitystore, servingthevicinityforthepast40years. Stockingeverythingfromwinetowetwipes andbreadtobananas,CannonPool(asit's affectionatelyknown)isaonestopshopfor HaileyRoadandthesurroundingvillages. On Sale from
Ninety-five-year-old Easton Roy is thought to be the world’s oldest amateur rugby player. A self confessed “rugby fanatic,” he even cut his honeymoon short to play in a game. But at least he scored a try. Keep going Vets, gotta’ get some in to beat Easton! Now that I’ve gotten older, everything’s finally starting to click for me....... My knees, my back, my neck.
Player Sponsors
Want
Get your name in the match programme, but more importantly you are helping develop WRFC players!
Charlie Bowyer
Dom Coe
Callum Godfrey
Ben Ling
WRFC Walking Rugby
Matthew Collins Furniture
Barry Bowles & Tony Maycock
Glenn Davies
James Merriman AK Timms
Jack Strong
Tom Gafney
Jason Strong Builders
Ian Loughborough
Marcus Reading Celestra
Cameron Ayris
Angus Brown
Keir MacDougall
Milfield Contractors Ltd
Fowler Hicks Landscaping
Gareth Lewis
Harvey Wattleworth TW Fitness
Jasper Nixey
Jack Daubney
Ollie Dawkins
Haydn Clarke
Rowles Roofing
Chris Delaney
GMD Consultants
Ready Set Solar
Connor Pummery Drive Engagement
Luke Manning Ashcroft
Player Sponsors
Want to do more for your Club? Why not sponsor a player? Packages start at £190+VAT
Get your name in the match programme, but more importantly you are helping develop WRFC players!
Ollie Toner Drive Engagement
Dan Webb
David ‘Dabber’ Willis
Matt Webb Shaw & Co Solicitors
Sam Winstone Mike Dunbar
Callum Cope JC Landscaping
Gareth Jenkins
Daniel Wilson
Matt Delnevo
Matt Delnevo
Harry Ward WRFC Walking Rugby
Josh Whitehead J S Motors
Liam Cook J Brand
John Mason Blanketmen
Mark Roberts Pole Position Scaffolding
Finn Ayris Haysham Electrical Contractors
Carl Campbell
Helen Phillips
William King Tetbury Accounting
Rees Wilson
Andy Billington
Owen Fillary ADR Services
Rhys Morgan
Hyatt Financial
Jon Derrick B Wastie Electrical
Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
Wednesday 26th March 2025
7.30pm Witney Vets VS Wallingford Vets. Our own well aged prime Witney Beef take to the hallowed Hailey Road turf to do battle with Wallingford’s own meat substitutes. Why not pop along, enjoy the rugby, enjoy the social and have a drink.
Friday 28th March 2025
8.30 pm for 9.15 pm start. Our very own George Lewis back on stage at Fat Lil’s with Lucille & The Lightning Soul Train. An evening of classic Soul & Disco performed with great energy and heart felt soul. Not to be missed.
Ticket Info Click Here
Thursday 24th April 2025
Breakfast of Champions 8am. A chance to meet other like minded businesses and find out what is happening at the Club. Guest speaker Tug Wilson MBE, RFU Council Member and Director of Rugby UK Armed Forces.
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
Saturday 26th April
Witney Wolves SEND RFC are hosting the 2025 Katie Peel SEND Family Friendly Festival of Rugby.
Need to know more, contact Gareth Lewis at: 07531 820561
Saturday 2nd August 2025
2025 is the 60th anniversary of our wonderful Club. To mark the occassion we intend to have a festival Family picnic at Hailey Road. A game against Stow-on-th-Wold, with guest appearances from original players, fingers crossed. 3 bands playing live, bar open, prize for the best dressed picnic table. More details to follow:
Witney Calling!
Georgie’s fundraiser for RFU Injured Players Foundation
Banbury player John (JB) Baker sustained an injury during a VETS match at Banbury RFC against Witney RFC in November 2024.
Unfortunately JB has been left paralysed from the chest down losing function in both arms and legs. His Daughter Georgie has taken on the challenge to complete 12 hikes around the UK in 12 months, something which JB would be both immensely proud of and, also somewhat jealous. If you want to know more about the family, the challenge and donate then visit Georgie’s JustGiving page
Witney Calling!
I wanted to make you aware of a serious issue surrounding health, the subject is suicide. We rarely talk about it, which is one of the problems, there is a stigma attached to it. Before we look at how we can be better placed to help, here’s a few statistics:
Almost 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, nearly twice the number who die by homicide.
For every death by suicide, there are approx’ 20 suicide attempts made. Each death by suicide leaves behind a community of bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. For every death by suicide, at least 7 to 10 people are directly affected by the loss.
Research shows that mental illness is the most important risk factor for suicide. More than 90% of people who die by suicide struggle with their mental health and/or addiction. Researchers estimate that up to 60% of people who die by suicide have major depression.
In the UK suicide is the biggest killer of men aged under 50.
So, what can we do? I believe the first step is for as many people as possible to be made aware of the signs and behaviour which could indicate somebody is contemplating suicide. Fortunately, there is a free online training aid available, which I would encourage as many people as possible to participate in. It takes about 30-40 minutes and can be found Here & Here
In the meantime if anyone has any concerns then please feel free to reach out to Ian Loughborough at l8est55@gmail.com or on
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
Witney Calling!
Tonight, our Vets Team take on Wallingford at Hailey Road. It should be a fantastic encounter with great running rugby. As an aside, we are looking for a name for our aging superstars.
Leading contenders so far are Old Blues, Phoenix, Old Boys, Steelers and Wasps. We would welcome any reasonably polite suggestions. The winning suggestion will get a free pint whilst the worst suggestion will get to empty Andy M’s colostomy bag........ regularly!
Witney Calling!
Have you played rugby with one of these guys? Do you fondly remember your playing days, the physicality, the camaraderie, the antics on and off the pitch. Do you find yourself using the
Stop! Stop being an I used to be guy and rekindle your relationship with the game we love. Be the, ‘Yeh I still play’ guy and get yourself up to Hailey Road. You know you want to. #witneyrfc #welovewitney
We would love to know your opinions on the Club, 6 Nations, or anything else that concerns you about Witney, rugby or anything else of relevance. Why not message us at: feedback@witneyrugby.co.uk.
Veterans @ Hailey Road
lar belief, you to have: enches of WWI a pacemaker! g either of preclude you aying, a letter from rent.
The Reality is:
You have to be over 35 years old and have been a member of Witney RFC for at least 4 weeks before match day. Sound like this could be for you? Why not come along to Club training nights; Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you need to ease back in gently, we have Walking and Touch Rugby on Thursday evenings. Contact Simon Copperwheat on: 07904 360561
WitneyVeterans XV vs Wallingford Veterans XV
Wednesday 26th March, 7.30 pm KO, Hailey Road
Team to be drawn from:
Simon Copperwheat
Adam Copperwheat
Declan Duffy
Tony Winstone
Jon derick
Ben McPherson
Richie Craig
Chris Deverson
Chris Cope
Wayne Caffekey
Michael McIntosh
Joe Rowles
Gareth Campbell
Tom Young
Carl Strutt
Taff Davies
Dan Wakeman
Arron Lambourne
Matt Carter
Ryan Jones
Mike Dunbar
Ian Loughborough
Head Coach
Simon Copperwheat
Match Official
Paul Costello
Witney RFC Walking Rugby.
The Witney Wizards is a group of older players, some with no previous rugby playing experience, all with one aim, to enjoy some fitness in a happy, social environment. We train once a week on Thursday evenings. Skills sessions, tactics, and competitive games, followed by a Supper Club and a social drink in our Hailey Road Clubhouse. The Wizards welcome people of all ages and backgrounds; we do have female players but could always do with more. The Wizards have played competitive matches at home and away, always draws a big crowd and above all else, is always fun. Think this is for you, why not come along and give it a Try!
