GRFC, U15s Tour to South Africa 2014, U18 tour to Argentina 2017

Matthew Edmondes RIP.

We are raising money in memory of Matthew for Young Minds Trust because of the need to address Mental Health in the young.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthewedmondes?utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_content=MatthewEdmondes&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Sharethis&utm_term=BdVK78B5B

A TRIBUTE TO MATTHEW FROM GRFC.

On behalf of the boys, coaches and parents at Guildford Rugby, we would like to express our love and support for Susie, Nick, Taggie, Patrick, Louis, and the rest of the family during these dark days.

But I would also like to take a few minutes to share some of the brightness that shone from that blond lad who touched the hearts of so many of us at the Club and his school friends, many of whom are here today.

We first encountered Matthew (with encountered probably being the right word!) when he was a small, or rather not so small boy at the tender age of 10. I can't say that we saw him grow up as he was 6ft 1” when we first looked up to him.
His shoe size most probably exceeded his age then too.
But we did share so many happy times over the years - and saw him grow from that gawky lad, to become a great rugby player, a feared foe of other clubs, but more importantly a great friend to many at Guildford.

If you did one of those word association diagrams for Matthew, words like "late" or "forgetful" would probably dominate with the odd phrase such as "couldn't sit the right way on a lavatory" also appearing.

In addition, strong adjectives from mobile phone insurance loss adjusters would undoubtedly appear .

However, "great sense of humour" would also feature as Matthew's most engaging feature was his incredibly dry and witty sense of humour.
Matt was not a man of many words, but when he did say something, it was usually incisive and frequently very, very funny.

Paradoxically, Matthew's funniest comments used to be preceded by that frown of his.
When he looked at you with that furrowed brow, you were never quite sure, whether Matthew was thinking you were a complete pratt, or was about to call you a complete pratt.
But then he would say something irreverent and witty resulting in laughter that became truly infectious.
For those who knew Matthew and shared time with him, he was great company. His humour was irresistible and infectious.

Rugby would also dominate that word association diagram.
For Guildford Rugby, it all started when Simon Rhodes was unashamedly scouting for players by the touch line at Aldro school. Having seen Mathew and Louis for just 5 minutes, he immediately demanded to his friend Fiona that he be introduced to Susie - which she duly did,
Seeking to break the ice and build rapport Rhodes jokingly asked Susie whether they had slept together before.
Quick as a flash, Susie said "My dear..... if we had slept together, then you would remember".
It is easy to see where Matt's quick wit came from.

So Matthew and Louis or "the twin towers" joined Guildford and played a huge part, literally, in what became a decade of very special times, both on and off the rugby field.
Matthew was always a tower.

But even when others caught up with his height, they rarely caught up with his speed or his strength.
He was a rugby tower of power and deserved to be selected for the Harlequins and UR7s Academies during his playing career. Matthew played hard but always fair. He was confrontational - and sometimes with the referee.
We recall one game against Chobham I think it was, when Guildford had 23 penalties given against them.
As the penalties mounted up, Matthew, not known for his patience, suddenly decided to confront the ref and stood face to face with him about 3 inches apart.
Silence.
We dreaded that impending punch or even a head butt that was to follow. But it was far worse than that - Matthew gave the ref his frown. The ref immediately knew that Matt thought. Fortunately, you don't get a yellow or red card for frowning.
Matthew was a player that everybody wanted to play in those big hard games.
As one Wellington Dad commented, exasperated when the coach had preferred another player, “Matthew had dog".
He was a player that all players wanted by their side to unleash. He was fearless and was a real inspiration to those who played with him.

It was of no surprise that in those tough games, Matthew always delivered. We recall that battle on the south coast when Guildford played against a brutal Worthing side.
The elements were against us and squad reduced to 16 men through injury.
But even the referee couldn't stop Matt scoring the crucial try.
Months later in Bedford, Matt scored the decisive try that made Guildford National Champions. Matthew was man of the match. Against Belgrano in Buenos Aires it was partly Matt's belligerence that sank them.
In a side of Invincibles,...... Matthew was invincible.
All of us who enjoyed "those glory days" at Guildford, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Matthew and his courage.
Rugby wasn't only something that Matt was good at, it was a passion of his. But it was also his stage, where he could express himself, both on and off the field - and during the numerous tours that followed in later
years.

Those that went to Argentina will recall Matthew standing up in that pizza restaurant crammed with local football fans leading the "crazy spider who drank a lot of cider" chant.
He loved his rugby and all that went with it.
Whilst Matthew had some dark days, it is a strength to us to know that we shared some bright and very, very happy days with him. But as much as he loved his rugby it didn't stop Mathew missing playing time ......by forgetting his boots,.... or laces,... or mouthguard or by just being late to arrive or being late to leave the changing room or even late to have his pre-match ablutions.
Matthew once started a match 5 minutes late due to a call of nature and promptly went off the field 2 minutes later as he had forgotten to use the toilet paper.

Matthew could also charm the ladies, especially when in competition with Louis.
On tour in Argentina not only did Matt's "crazy spider" chant impress the girls from Belgrano hockey club, he also proved, much to Louis's annoyance, that he could sit the right way on a lady’s lavatory after all. But no more detail on that. As they say, what goes on tour, stays on tour.

Despite his absent mindedness, Matthew was incredibly intelligent and when moved to debate he was extremely articulate with a razor-sharp intellect.
He was thoughtful and appreciated the views of others, even if he didn't share their view. We could never reconcile his intelligence with how he struggled with the basic task of not losing more than 3 phones a month.

Matt was also independent and fiercely so.
You couldn't tell him not to be late or to protect his shoulder when tackling. You couldn't tell him that he was not going to fit into a street litter bin in Malmo, especially after a few beers.
Matt was his own man. And one of our own.
The Irreverent, Infectious, irresistible, intelligent, incisive, inspiring, invincible, independent but irreconcilable Matthew.

Matthew we will not forget you. Thank-you for gracing our lives. And may you find your peace. God Bless.

RIP Matt.

Thank you for the fond memories.

You left your mark on the rugby field and will be remembered as a talented and formidable player.

You will be sadly missed by all.

GRFC run out comprehensive winners 84-7 against Pingvin rugby club.

Match day !... currently on the train between Copenhagen and Malmo for march against Pingvin Rugby Club in Trelleborg.

The backs sporting some Italian footballer hairstyles...

The mighty G's hold on for a gritty and hard-fought win 7:0.

Mammoth effort in wet, muddy and windy conditions.

Match update : G's lead 7:0 at half time, wet and slippery conditions and brutally physical.

End of an era.

We are at Belgrano Rugby Club in Buenos Aires for the boys' last ever match for GRFC Colts.

Most of these boys have been playing rugby together since they were 5 years old. This group has excelled itself more than any other team in the history of GRFC by winning everything there is to win : domestic festivals, county championships, national championships and international tours.

What a fitting end to come to this prestigious club in Argentina with a hundred year history of rugby excellence.

Fun x 10 in Buenos Aires....

Photos taken during training as well as the matches against the Argentinian Provincial Invitational team ( GRFC won 19:15 ) and the Los Tordos U19 team ( GRFC won 33:5 )