Friends Unite For Alcock’s Final Whistle : Royal Navy Rugby Union

Friends Unite For Alcock’s Final Whistle

Former players Mark Sheldon, Pete Tomlin and Bob Penfold enjoying the camaraderie

Five Royal Navy rugby captains, Mike Connolly, Chris Alcock, Glynn Thomas, Dave Pascoe, Steve Jones

The President, VAdm Jones, presents Chris with a framed playing cap. Chris was the 481st player to represent the RNRU

Andrew Scoular made a presentation in recognition of Chris’s contribution to the RFU

Will Feebury recounted some historic tales about the varied playing and administrative career Chris had within Navy Rugby

Prior to the 2015 Inverdale Challenge Final a number of great names from the recent history of Navy Rugby gathered to mark the achievements of Chris Alcock. Having recently stepped down as Chairman, his last role in support of the Royal Navy Rugby Union, the surprise re-union of former colleagues gave plenty of opportunity to reminisce about his 32 years contribution to the Game in the Royal Navy. It also gave the opportunity for the RNRU and the Rugby Football Union to make some presentations.

Chris’s debut cap was in 1982, a year when unfortunately both the RAF and the Army were victorious at Twickenham and though he was on the winning side against the RAF the following year he had to wait until 1986 to taste victory over the Army. As he did the following year when he captained the Royal Navy side to an Inter Service title, which neatly completed the unbeaten season. By the time he stood down from playing, after the 1992 Inter Services, he had amassed 19 caps and at the time had captained the Royal Navy team more than anyone else.

He wasn’t away from the side long though, as in 2000 he returned as Selector securing the Inter Services title in 2001 before over seeing three other Selectors in the new role of Director of Rugby. After a brief stint as Director of Marketing he served for three seasons as the Union’s Chairman before stepping down towards the end of 2014.

The President of the Royal Navy Rugby Union, Vice Admiral Sir Phillip Jones KCB, made a couple of presentations on behalf of the Union before Andrew Scoular, the RFU’s former Director of Community Rugby spoke of the contribution Chris had made to the RFU and their leadership programmes. Finally former Navy Colts coach and ex Warrant Officer, Will Feebury gave some background information on Chris Alcock’s naval career! The details of which will remain amongst those assembled under the rugby tradition of ‘what is said on tour stays on tour.’

Capt Chris Alcock OBE was inducted in to the History of Navy Rugby Heart of Oak where a fuller record of his achievements can be found by clicking here.