Eric Stephens (rugby union)

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Eric Stephens
Personal information
Full nameEric John Frank Stephens [1]
NationalityEnglish
Citizenship United Kingdom
BornAugust 1939 (age 86)
Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom
Home town Gloucester
Education The Crypt School
Years active1961–1974
Spouse
Patricia V. Marden (1968-present)
Sport
Sport Rugby union
PositionVarious, primarily fullback
Club Gloucester Rugby (1961–1974), Saracens Rugby (1962–1963)
TeamGloucester Rugby (1961–1973), Gloucester United (1974)
Retired1974

Eric Stephens is a retired Gloucester rugby union player and old cryptian. He was born in August, 1939 in Gloucester and played for Gloucester Rugby Club between 1961-1974, a period of 13 years. In his career, he played a total of 221 games [1] [2] and scored 1559 points. [3] He later served as president of the Old Cryptians Club from 2010-2011. [4] [5]

Contents

Early life and education

Eric Stephens was born on August, 1939, in a 'nursing home on Clarence Street', [Note 1] Gloucester. He was the only son of four children born to his parents, Eric James 'Jim' Stephens and Ivy Ethel Stephens. He had a primary education at the Calton Road Primary school and a secondary education at the Crypt Grammar School. [1] [2] At the Crypt School, he played for the Old Crypts rugby team. [2]

Career

Stephens made his debut to Gloucester Rugby in 1961, but went to London for work the next year and briefly played for the Saracens Club before returning to Gloucester. [2] In 1968, he married Patricia V. Marden and had three children. [1] In his last season, Stephens was appointed captain of Gloucester United. In 1974, he retired from rugby, playing 221 games throughout his career [1] [2] and Scoring 1559 points. [3]

Alongside playing rugby, he also played in the local senior cricket club. [6]

Pre-1966

Stephens's rugby career started at his high-school, the Crypt School, when he played for the Old Cryptians team. [1] [2] He joined Gloucester Rugby Club in 1961 and Played against Coventry with the position centre right. He played against Old Blues in Kingsholm and scored two tries. He went to London from 1962-1963 and temporarily played for the Saracens Club. [2] There is no recorded activity until 1966, when he returned as the position full-back. [3]

1967-1971

In 1967 Stephens played as full back, but in 1968 he played utility back along with outside half. His breakthrough came in 1968-1969 when his teammate retired and he became regular fullback. [2] In 1969, Stephens played against Bath and scored a penalty and a conversion, which gave Gloucester enough points to win. [7] In 1970 Stephens didn't play in September but managed to play 46 games as outside half and then left wing with Ron Etheridge at full back. When Etheridge was injured, Stephens reverted to fullback. He made his county debut in the final at full back against Surrey at Kingsholm. Stephens scored 363 points that season. [2]

1971-1974

In 1971-72 he scored 388 points from 44 games and retained his county place at full back for the group stages. He was replaced for the semi-final against Middlesex but played left wing in the final against Warwickshire at Coundon Road. He started the club season on the left wing but again reverted to full back when Ron Etheridge was injured and stayed there for the remainder of the season. [2]

1971–72 RFU Knockout Cup

Stephens played in the 1971–72 RFU Knockout Cup against, Bath, Bristol, London Welsh, Coventry, and Mosley. Playing against Bath, Stephens scored 2 Penalties in first period and 2 in the second period. [8] [9] playing against Bristol, Stephens got the first point by kicking a penalty. Stephens then made a conversion for a nine point interval lead, then scoring 2 more tries in the second half. Playing against London Welsh, Stephens scored a penalty kick and a conversion in the second half. Playing against Coventry, Stephens kicked a penalty before scoring a drop goal from around halfway. In the Finals, playing against Moseley, Stephens missed a conversion in the first half but in the second half scored a penalty kick. [9] [10] Stephens played as fullback [2] [6] and scored 38 out of the 68 points [3]

In 1972-73 Peter Butler became first choice for full back for club and county. [3] Stephens played as a utility back, positioned as full back in the absence of Peter Butler and Ron Etheridge. He also covered outside half and left wing when Etheridge played and a specialist kicker was required. He scored 170 points from only 19 games. [9]

In his last season, Stephens became captain of Gloucester United. [3] Ron Etheridge moved to left wing with Peter Butler at full back and Stephens as backup fullback if Peter was absent. He scored 75 points in 9 games. [Note 2] Eric then retired in 1974. [1]

Retirement

After retiring, Stephens served in the Gloucester Rugby Club Committe in a variety of positions until 1996 when the game became professional, but retaining his position as player selector. [2] In 2010, he became president of the Old Cryptians Club until 2011. [3] [4] [5]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ There is no nursing home on clarance street that exists now or has been recorded.
  2. ↑ The information in the source is contradictory and most likely a typo. The text given is a best guess for the intended meaning.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Davies, Martin; Davies, Teresa (4 August 2020). "Extended families: the Halford, Bagwell, Manley, Jackson, Dix, Mace, George, Pegler, Keys, Stephens, Hamblin and Goddard family" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Theyers, John (2010). "Stephens, Eric". Gloucester Rugby Heritage.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Men at the Back: Part 2" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. 4 October 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. 1 2 Briggs, Richard (2013). "Presidents of the OCC; List of Presidents". Old-Cryptians.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. 1 2 "Previous Magazines". Old-Cryptians. 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. 1 2 "Rugby Football Union Gloucester vs Mosley Final Programme" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. 29 April 1972. Retrieved 19 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ Hall, Peter; Gale, Colin (12 July 2014). "1968 to 1969 Match Reports". Bath Rugby Heritage.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ Hall, Peter; Gale, Colin (13 July 2014). "1971 to 1972 Match Report". Bath Rugby Heritage.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. 1 2 3 Coller, Chris (19 March 2022). "1972 Club Knock-Out Competition - The Story". Gloucester Rugby Heritage.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ Steele, Richard (8 August 2022). "An English club knock-Out Competition at Last!". World Rugby Museum.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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