Unfortunately the exact details are unknown but news has come that one of Waratahs earliest players, Bruce McClenaghan, passed away during 2012.
Bruce joined the club in the 1956/57 season, contributing much to the club. He was an outstanding fieldsman and sometimes wicket keeper and a punishing batsman. In 1961/62, he scored 628 runs in what was then called A-Res & B Grade and was one of only fifteen batsmen to record 600 or more runs in a season. In the same season, he held 16 catches behind the stumps. His batting hadn't always been that prolific, recording 22 ducks in his early seasons!
Bruce had a long career with the Armidale Teachers College and then University of New England and was a forthright advocate in public affairs as a member of the Armidale City Council. He was a proud member of the Armidale community and was prepared to back this up with hard work and an extended connection with public service. He was both well known and well respected.
His son Peter played for the club in the late 1980's.
18.12.12
30.3.12
John Roberts (115)
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| 1980-81 2nd Grade Premiers led by John Roberts |
John had three careers with Waratahs, beginning as a young man in the late fifties playing some important roles at times in the A Grade side as a left arm orthodox spin bowler and a late order batsman whose confidence grew with practise. When he left the club in the mid 1960's, his legacy was a trophy he had instigated which would bear his name and reward the most promising junior of each season. Some fair cricketers can find their name engraved: Mike Connolly, Peter Snell, Jason Kelleher and Daniel Ryan to name but a few. John returned to play an important leadership role at Waratahs, captaining the lower grade sides for several seasons, being runners up in 1974-75 (A Res) and 1981-82 (3rd Grade) but winning a premiership with the mighty Waratahs Vets in 1980-81 (2nd Grade) ... a dream team if ever there was one. They beat the other Waratahs team in the final, the one where all the blokes were under 40!
John also fulfilled other leadership roles within the club. When I arrived at my first training session in early 1979, it was John who greeted me, introduced me to players and shepherded my first weeks at the club. He was a shrewd selector and a quiet but very determined man with a thoughtful knowledge of the game and the courage to back his judgement.
Waratahs acknowledges and salutes his contribution on and off the field. As we knew him, he was a team mate, a mentor, a friend and he leaves us to be in very good company.
A service will be conducted for John at Piddington's of Armidale at 2:00pm on Wednesday 4th April.
Team mates are invited to leave a comment below or you may email me with your comment and I'll post it for you plangsto@bigpond,net.au
22.11.11
John Baillie (330)
John Baillie has passed away after a battle with cancer. John was the twin brother of Peter and brother
of Easts legend Neil "Nobby" Baillie. As with all the family he was a very talented
sportsman in cricket, soccer, league and union. John was part of a group of young cricketers who came through Armidale High School
together and won the Mike Coleman shield (North West Under 14 Knockout) under
coach Bruce Mathieson of Waratahs. Many of the same cohort, including Michael Connolly and Graham Frost, who later became 1st grade regualrs, went on to play in B grade for Waratahs in 1975/76 and lost an epic grand final at Harris Park against Hillgrove in a match that went for 4 innings. John was a century maker the following season, scoring 104x against Uralla in February 1978 and a more than capable fieldsman.
John lived in Armidale all of his life, working for Essential Energy.
Funeral services for John will be held at Piddington's Funeral Chapel on Saturday 26th November, from 12:00pm.
John lived in Armidale all of his life, working for Essential Energy.
Funeral services for John will be held at Piddington's Funeral Chapel on Saturday 26th November, from 12:00pm.
Brian Joice (218) 1939-2011
Brian was born and raised in Newcastle, beginning his working life at Newcastle University before coming to Armidale and a position at UNE. His life long good friend, Bill Pitstock, spoke to those attending Brian's funeral about his love of sport, particularly cricket, football and golf. He also mentioned his love of a punt. Several anecdotes were recalled, including some from his Waratahs days.
This website is dedicated to Brian, who along with Tom Cooke and Bill Thompson, produced the first written records of the Waratahs Cricket Club which have been added to and provide the most comprehensive set of records of any country NSW club. As a man, he was larger than life. As a cricketer, he was a match winner. As a yarn spinner he had the happy knack of being at the centre of more stories than he told. As a mate, there has been none more loyal. As a Clubman, none more dedicated to the cause. There are many Brian Joice stories but my favourite sums the man. Upon hearing that his mate Harry Deiderick was to be dropped - a man of infinite heart for the club but limited skills - he told the then President, "if H doesn't play, Joicey doesn't play!" One of my warmest Waratahs memories was that time after each season before presentation night in the years I edited the Yearbook. I'd visit Joicey, give him the new book and sometimes we'd have time for beer.
Brian was an Australian character in the truest sense of our understanding of the term. Generous to his friends but refusing to suffer fools, he could be a terror to his adversaries but always carried himself with honour.
I am so glad to have known him.
Brian's life was celebrated at a service at Piddingtons Crematorial Chapel, Uralla Rd, Armidale at 10:00am on Friday 25th November and was followed by a light lunch and drinks at the Golf Club.
25.10.11
David Tilbury (302) - Tills
David joined Waratahs in 1975-76 after a school boy career with The Armidale School and played for more than ten years before business eventually took him to Sydney. Primarily an opening bowler, the bulk of his 247 wickets were captured in 2nd Grade, although he did make some 1st Grade appearances. His best bowling was 9-52 against St Peters in February of 1978. It was fitting that he finished on the same wicket tally as his friendly rival for the new ball, Tony Bennett. If I was to say the word gentleman at a Waratahs function, David Tilbury would be the first player to come to mind. He had a keen sense of humour, loved beating Easts and was a hard working bowler who was usually his own worst critic.
Dave was one of the nicest blokes I've ever met. Our hearts go out to Celia and family. David's funeral will be conducted at:
St Swithuns Anglican Church, Pymble
Wednesday 2nd November at 2:30pm
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Melanoma Institute, Australia
14.8.11
Syd Philp (269)
Syd Philp funeral details and click on "Notices".
Syd joined Waratahs in the 1973-74 season, following a lengthy career with Churches, mostly in 1st Grade during the 1960's. He played more than twenty seasons with Waratahs, ending his career with only Alan Gray and Graham Johnson scoring more career runs. His four centuries were all scored in 4th Grade, where he spent many season fostering new talent. He somehow managed 114 catches in those gnarled hands of his.
The stats don't measure the man though. Syd will always be remembered for his dry sense of humour, clear thinking on the game and the generosity of spirit he always offered his team mates. As a member commented on hearing the news of his passing, "there goes a real country gentleman".
25.5.11
Bede Ryan (503) 1939-2011
Bede Ryan passed away in Brisbane on 20th May, 2011 following an illness which rapidly overtook him. He was farwelled among family and friends in bright Brisbane sunshine. The following obituary was written by Peter Langston.
It’s a long way from an austere Uralla orchard on the verge of WWII to the warming sunshine of a late autumn in Brisbane this week. For Bede Ryan, it was a journey he celebrated with friends and family as we gathered in farewell. Unlike most, it was not work or success at sport which was prominent in making his life of note but rather the quality of the relationships he achieved and generously maintained.
In the mid 1950’s, he was just sixteen, a stripling and the youngest of a brood of nine. He was already a fine sportsman but had his sharp eyes – his Bedey Eyes in fact – fixed on a spot in the Air Force but the death of his father took away that dream. He had to run the farm.
Bede’s reputation as a cricketer was earned. His flair and natural ability took him into first grade with the dominant Uralla at just 17, in a team of bonafide stars. Bede never forgot the impact older Uralla players had at a time when Uralla fielded two 1st grade sides. By the early 1960’s, he had formed a strong opening partnership with Wally Taylor, regularly peeling off three figure opening stands, including 329 against Waratahs on a February afternoon in 1962.
Bede would later play for St Peters and Waratahs, where he made stacks of runs, took plenty of wickets and won premierships but like most of the talented, the stats meant very little. His main endeavours were directed into developing young players, but with Bede it was more than skills that were taught. As he had learned so he sought to teach and young bloods were painted rich portraits about the game and their responsibility as its new custodians.
In his last days, many of those who sent messages of love and support to him and his family were these same young men who were smart enough to listen on their way to manhood. That alone speaks of his success.
Like many, my experience of Bede Ryan was of a man of great humour, strongly held ideals who didn’t suffer fools but gave them every chance not to become one. He was an honourable man. He was a mate.
Of course he loved golf and his beloved Dragons and most sports but he invested his core in something far more important.
The real story of Bede Ryan can be told by anyone he was close to. At his funeral, sons Paul and Daniel spoke of the simple things a man loves and pursues and symbols of Bede’s were placed as reminders – his dog’s collar, flowers from his garden, his rosary beads and prayer book, a signed canvas by family and friends, a cricket cap and his St.George Illawara Dragons scarf.
Bede leaves wife Denise, children Paul, Louise and Daniel and their families with the legacy his fierce and loyal love created and sustained right until the final ball was bowled. His legacy was in their words, their actions and all over their faces – a legacy we would all envy. It was in the wonderfully fitting touches which so typify the close knit Ryan’s.
After all the words were said and his soul farewelled to God, those present lined the start of his final journey, each with a red or a white balloon in hand. As the hearse crept past, “When The Saints Going Marching In” boomed from it in New Orleans jazz style and seventy five people applauded his innings, then released the balloons in the same manner in which we had just let Bede go and they rose and rose, caught on the breeze and gradually faded from view.
The memories never will.
It’s a long way from an austere Uralla orchard on the verge of WWII to the warming sunshine of a late autumn in Brisbane this week. For Bede Ryan, it was a journey he celebrated with friends and family as we gathered in farewell. Unlike most, it was not work or success at sport which was prominent in making his life of note but rather the quality of the relationships he achieved and generously maintained.
In the mid 1950’s, he was just sixteen, a stripling and the youngest of a brood of nine. He was already a fine sportsman but had his sharp eyes – his Bedey Eyes in fact – fixed on a spot in the Air Force but the death of his father took away that dream. He had to run the farm.
Bede’s reputation as a cricketer was earned. His flair and natural ability took him into first grade with the dominant Uralla at just 17, in a team of bonafide stars. Bede never forgot the impact older Uralla players had at a time when Uralla fielded two 1st grade sides. By the early 1960’s, he had formed a strong opening partnership with Wally Taylor, regularly peeling off three figure opening stands, including 329 against Waratahs on a February afternoon in 1962.
Bede would later play for St Peters and Waratahs, where he made stacks of runs, took plenty of wickets and won premierships but like most of the talented, the stats meant very little. His main endeavours were directed into developing young players, but with Bede it was more than skills that were taught. As he had learned so he sought to teach and young bloods were painted rich portraits about the game and their responsibility as its new custodians.
In his last days, many of those who sent messages of love and support to him and his family were these same young men who were smart enough to listen on their way to manhood. That alone speaks of his success.
Like many, my experience of Bede Ryan was of a man of great humour, strongly held ideals who didn’t suffer fools but gave them every chance not to become one. He was an honourable man. He was a mate.
Of course he loved golf and his beloved Dragons and most sports but he invested his core in something far more important.
The real story of Bede Ryan can be told by anyone he was close to. At his funeral, sons Paul and Daniel spoke of the simple things a man loves and pursues and symbols of Bede’s were placed as reminders – his dog’s collar, flowers from his garden, his rosary beads and prayer book, a signed canvas by family and friends, a cricket cap and his St.George Illawara Dragons scarf.
Bede leaves wife Denise, children Paul, Louise and Daniel and their families with the legacy his fierce and loyal love created and sustained right until the final ball was bowled. His legacy was in their words, their actions and all over their faces – a legacy we would all envy. It was in the wonderfully fitting touches which so typify the close knit Ryan’s.
After all the words were said and his soul farewelled to God, those present lined the start of his final journey, each with a red or a white balloon in hand. As the hearse crept past, “When The Saints Going Marching In” boomed from it in New Orleans jazz style and seventy five people applauded his innings, then released the balloons in the same manner in which we had just let Bede go and they rose and rose, caught on the breeze and gradually faded from view.
The memories never will.
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