‘It's a struggle to put my socks on!’

As Welshpool Rugby Club prepares for its most important meeting in 50 years tonight (Tuesday), the most senior member of its playing staff has opened up to mywelshpool.

 

Nick Larder (right) is 54 years young and was in the thick of the action when his side recorded its first win in two seasons at the weekend.

 

That victory at Bangor ended a low week on a very high note and has given renewed hope that the club can pull itself out of the mess that it has found itself in this season.

 

But it looks like the future is bright and don’t rule out the ‘Doc’ still being a part of it on the pitch!

How long have you been with Welshpool (how old are you now)?

I moved back to Welshpool and joined the club in 1990 at the age of 34 having not played rugby for 16 years. I have played for 1sts, 2nds or 3rds - (wherever selected) in just about every year since.

How does it feel to still be playing?

The same as it always did except I struggle to get my socks on after the game sometimes.

Why are you still playing?

Because my partner Janet demands that I keep my body in tip-top condition. As well as that, rugby gives so much back: a great social life and the opportunity to travel (mainly by bus).

How has the senior side found itself in its current difficult situation?

When school sport became a lower priority a couple of decades ago, forward-thinking clubs started to make their junior sections a high priority. Regrettably, Welshpool paid lip service to this and concentrated on the senior sides; we didn't really make a big effort to support junior rugby until other clubs had stolen a march on us. This has now been (belatedly) corrected.

What is the solution?

We must continue to 'put something back'. Youth, Junior and Womens' rugby are the foundation that sport club senior sides sit on. It's an expensive and time consuming investment but it provides the very life blood of a sports club.

How is the club doing away from the first team?

We have a very good and vibrant Youth team - come down and support them! Our Junior section grows every year - although we're still playing catch up with some other clubs. We have a new Womens' team that looks very promising. We are financially secure and we are expanding facilities.

How important is Tuesday's meeting?

When you find yourself at the bottom of the whole WRU league structure, it's important that you make every effort to stay up. We don't want the next generation to have to deal with a mess we left them in. We must pull out all the stops now so that the new lads coming through in future can play at the standard they and Welshpool deserve.

What message do you have for the 'younger' players?

We play rugby to have fun. NEVER lose sight of that whether winning or losing.....but it's always more fun when you win - so listen to your coaches. Remember: the only reason they coach is that they have had more fun from rugby than you can imagine.....yet!