Club stalwart, Stan Bailey, chose last week’s AGM to make the announcement that he will be retiring from the game, and his position of Senior Director of Rugby, with immediate effect. Stan (or Stuart as he’s officially known) began playing rugby for Kingswood back in the early 80’s and was still taking the field for the 1st XV in 2019. A former Club Captain on more than 1 occasion, Bailey held various Committee roles over the years. Speaking at the AGM, Club Chairman, Derek Golding, was full of admiration for a true Kingswood legend. “One of the true Stalwarts of Kingswood RFC and probably one of our best players throughout the years. His service to the club is unquestionable, but his wife is finally getting more time with him and deservedly so.” Stuart Bailey became Stan thanks to a printing error in a match report by the Evening Post, a name that stuck with him throughout his playing career, so much so that there are probably some people reading this who didn’t realise his name was actually Stuart! So ingrained is Bailey within the club’s history, that Chairman Golding used the AGM to make a very special announcement. “Stan has received most of the accolades the club could throw at him (Player of the Year, Presidents Tie, Hon Lifetime Membership, etc), but as a first, and this is hot news for tonight, to recognise Stan’s commitment to Kingswood RFC, we will be holding a testimonial match for him later this year, where a select Stan XV will take on a team of his choice. So once again Stan is going to have a selection issue as I’m sure there will be players old and new lining up for that honour.” The club will release details of Stan’s testimonial in due course. For now, please join us in thanking Stan for his momentous dedication to Kingswood RFC.