Taunton Rugby Football Club Launch 150th Anniversary

The Launch Dinner for Taunton Rugby Football Club’s 150th Anniversary took place at Veritas Park on Friday night and what a fantastic event it turned out to be.

With Scott Quinnell a former Welsh International and British Lion and a larger than life character and international referee Tom Foley as the guest speakers, this was fantastic event to kick start the Club’s special year.

At the start of the evening club chairman Jon Wrelton welcomed the 140 guests who then enjoyed an excellent four course dinner, during the course of which Dick Macey, a former President of the club conducted an auction. In addition a silent auction was taking place throughout the evening as well as a raffle.

The first guest speaker was Tom Foley who has officiated in over 200 Gallagher Premiership League rugby matches as well as 48 international fixtures including being TMO in the 2023 World Cup Final.

Tom, who over the years has become a good friend of Taunton RFC, recounted some of the highlights from his timeout in the middle as well as some of the people he had met, which gave those present an insight into what his role entails at the top level of the sport.

Before the next speaker guests were introduced to Neil Symons who only a few evenings earlier had been elected as the new President of the Club. Neil, who has been involved with TRFC for 36 years said how proud he was to have taken on the role of President for this special year.

Up next was Scott Quinnell, a passionate Welshman who hit the ground running and gave a graphic description of himself and his families long and proud involvement with Welsh rugby.

Scott played at the top level of the game between 1990 and 2005 and recounted stories from his long playing career at Number 8 for Llanelli, Richmond  and the British and Irish Lions before returning to finish his career where he began at Llanelli Scarletts.

He was capped on 52 occasions for Wales, and captained the team seven times and three for the Lions, and scored 11 international tries for Wales and one for the Lions.

With this sort of experience it was no wonder that Scott had a kit bag full of rugby experiences to share with those present who all thoroughly enjoyed his anecdotes and tales of his exploits on and off the rugby field.

Although he spoke for an hour or so, totally unscripted, all too soon it was time for Scott to stop, but just before he did said that wished Taunton RFC ‘Happy Birthday’ and said that the club is all about the people and from his experiences on the night TRFC is in safe hands now and for the future. 

After Scott Quinnell stopped to draw breath and the formal proceedings had concluded many remained behind to catch up with old friends and recall many of their happy times at Taunton RFC both on and off the field while others tried their hands on the Las Vegas gambling tables. 

This was an evening that everyone can be proud of and a great way to start Taunton Rugby Football Club’s Sesquicentennial (150 Years ) Celebrations.

The next event in the 150 Years calendar is on August 17th when TRFC will be hosting a Beer Festival and there will be a pre-season friendly match taking place, further details of which will be announced later.

The opening league fixture is on Saturday 7th September with an away fixture against Loughborough Students before the Titans return to Veritas Park host Hornets a week later.

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