Whitchurch Veterans win is a family affair
Father and son Doug and Kev Hayward were reunited on a rugby field for the first time in 20 years when they packed down together for Whitchurch Veterans in their recent victory over their counterparts from Wrexham.
The Haywards played regularly for the Shropshire club some years ago when Doug was third-team captain and his son was progressing through the ranks at Edgeley Park.
Doug retired from playing 16 years ago but came out of retirement at the age of 70 to play the last 20 minutes of the match as a replacement in a pack that also included 42-year-old Kev.
"I hadn't intended to play again but I turned up to a vice-president's lunch and they announced that I would be playing again alongside Kev," Doug said.
"I had both my knees replaced a couple of years ago but I felt fine, there were no aches and pains at all although a few of the other players seemed to be struggling.
"It was a bit of fun and I enjoyed playing with Kev again and I wouldn't rule out having another run out in the future.
"I had to go out and buy some new boots and shorts which cost me 58 quid so I need to get some use out of them."
Doug, an occasional first-team player for Whitchurch, used to work as a steel erector and has retained his links with the club since he retired from playing as a regular attender at their vice-president's lunches.
"I still go down to the club regularly, I still enjoy my rugby and catching up with old mates at the vice-president's events," he said.
The new veterans team at Whitchurch is one of several new initiatives from a recently-appointed management team at the club.
