I remember the glory days as a youngster with the internationals playing but I was more into the footy than the rugby. From what I remember there was no league system then? Also was it supposed to be an amateur game? I'd be interested to know how they fell so far if you can summarize it?Going back to the 60s/70s Cov were biggest English club with almost their whole squad full England internationals, but like ccfc f**ked up by directors which put them years in the wilderness.
Not quiet, profesional game was creeping in but Cov commitee were against it and stayed amateur so eventsually lost their better players to the likes of Leicester Tigers, Saracens and Northampton Saints.They hadn't the backing financially when the game went professional.. couldnt compete..
When professionalism came in (mid 90s)? The record gate was that Newcastle game in 96 and I think that was sub 10k. It is delusional to suggest they'd regularly get that level of support even if they're relatively well supported for the level they are at.Not quiet, profesional game was creeping in but Cov commitee were against it and stayed amateur so eventsually lost their better players to the likes of Leicester Tigers, Saracens and Northampton Saints.
Cov were well supported at the time 10k gates were often.
They still only played with an egg in the mid 80 s. I imagine still do. Peter whittingham came through there so not sure if that changed anythingI went to King Henry’s in the 60’s, it was a massive rugby school. Peter Rossborough was head boy, and Peter Preece was a contemporary, both future England internationals. Duckham also went to that school. Cov rugby were huge, my Dad was a keen rugby player, and although City were my first love, I saw a lot of Cov rugby, they would bring the big Welsh clubs down, and give them a pasting. I moved away from Cov in 69, so lost touch with the rugby scene. Was rugby diluted in the two grammar schools by the introduction of association football, or was the demise of Cov rugby purely due to financial issues?
Pete Rossborough was my PE teacher at my comprehensive.I went to King Henry’s in the 60’s, it was a massive rugby school. Peter Rossborough was head boy, and Peter Preece was a contemporary, both future England internationals. Duckham also went to that school. Cov rugby were huge, my Dad was a keen rugby player, and although City were my first love, I saw a lot of Cov rugby, they would bring the big Welsh clubs down, and give them a pasting. I moved away from Cov in 69, so lost touch with the rugby scene. Was rugby diluted in the two grammar schools by the introduction of association football, or was the demise of Cov rugby purely due to financial issues?
At the end yes but not in its hey day highest crowd there was 18000 and that was for an England schools international gameCoundon Road capacity was less than 10,000.
The record gate wasn’t the game against Newcastle. I was at that match and although it created a lot of interest, the gate was around 8k and was never reported as a record, so not sure where you are getting that from?When professionalism came in (mid 90s)? The record gate was that Newcastle game in 96 and I think that was sub 10k. It is delusional to suggest they'd regularly get that level of support even if they're relatively well supported for the level they are at.
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