GHK News - The View from the First Man Over the Top

Christmas with Mike and The Mechanics

The longer I live, the more I am certain that the great difference between the great and the insignificant, its energy - invincible determination - a purpose once fixed, and then death or victory.
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton

Men, for this last Friday ramble of the year, let us only once allow ourselves a reflective glimpse at the year that has passed behind us before this scribe lies down in a darkened room for the festive period in appropriate footwear and flamboyant headgear.

By the standards of recent years, the pressurized environment at the front of the GHK symposium has not lessened nor has the band of men bequeathed in green and blue shirked the challenges that have come before.

So my gift to you, is to tell you about our great game through my eyes, through my experiences past. And I'm sorry, but I refuse to sugarcoat a pill. Men, if you will indulge me for a moment, let me paint a picture of what it's like out there in the fields of our great game. Many of you are living in a fantasyland of champagne rugby, Tom ball and DSP. However, with the first line of trenches secure and attacking the second, players must echo times when propellers were made of wood and Men were made of iron.
Now I know I have blown some of your minds with my depiction of what it's really like out there but if anyone can handle the ups and downs of this crazy egg catching we call Rugby Union, it's the Men of OA.

Weekly, as I stare out into the sea of determined faces in the changing room huddle, I see the best and brightest. Some of you will go on to be captains of industry. Some will become Officers. Others Catering. Two of you - and I'm not at liberty to say which two - will finally pass puberty.

One of you, specifically Danny Hoffmann, will spend most of your time in the coming years just hanging out in your car eating pretzels. The bond of brotherhood we have established this year will lead to us all returning to the end of the beautiful Jim Donald Bar from time to time to share stories of what we have achieved, and ask the question, "Does anyone ever know what happened to Danny Hoffmann?". No one will know, but every now and then there will be the faint sound of ‘O München, Mein München’ from the electroacoustic transducers.

Although we have faced our foes and even been promoted to the National Leagues in 2009, difficult challenges lie ahead in the dawning annum. We must continue to work together to build on the gains already made and secure our sustained ascent, as well as set high goals for those who will follow on. I have an enduring faith that, when we meet here a year from now, we will be able to claim substantial progress toward both those objectives.

Padre Dunlop has ran up a massive cell phone bill this week with Assistant Adjutant General Shambilton preferring to deliver his message in Jack Frost format. The Prince is in Canadia.

The Regiment for tomorrow’s game against Allan Glens at Old Anniesland, 2pm kick-off, is as follows:



15 D ‘Snow‘ Whyte

14 C ‘My frostbite’s’ Sorlie

13 J ‘The only suitable artiste to handle McLay is this‘ Potter

12 D ‘Tannenbaum’ Hoffman

11 R ‘It Must Have Been’ Love
10 J ‘Happy Hanukkah ‘ Shannon

9 A ‘More a Grotto than a ‘Shedden

1 A ‘Bauble’ Forbes

2 G ‘Buddy’ Reid

3 C ‘I hope J Potter’s brought his wheel to toss’ McLay

4 A ‘Two posting days left then there will be a limited service’ Drummond

5 H ‘Prancer’ Parker

6 A ‘Turkey’ Neilsen

7 A ‘Minimal Cost Tree‘ McTavish
8 M ‘The Grinch’ Borthwick



16 N 'Brussels Sprout' Kelsey

17 R 'Meri Kirihimete ' Brookbanks

18 F ‘Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo’ Campbell-Young

The theme for this week is German Bierkeller.

Merry Christmas, and best wishes for the New Year along with a thick slice of Dundee cake to all at Anniesland

Yours as always, running towards the gunfire in front row union, ball in hand and making ground, with a Samoan sidestep, handoff and correct presentation. Never beaten, its best Mizuno boot forward and onto the second phase. With thoughts of Ralgex jerseys and opportunities with armpit hair. Crouch. Touch. Pause. Engage. Heart in the fire. Head in the Icebox. Always look to the left in a photograph, mon frere. Take one for the columbarium-fanciers. Thames Rowing Club.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Major Ken Cowan has bought himself a Husky as part of the TSV programme.

This article was posted on 18-Dec-2009, 12:30 by Hugh Barrow.