Old Cooperians Rugby Club

DISCIPLINE UPDATE AND REMINDERS FOR CLUBS
Keith Hill, Discipline Chair, Essex RFU
https://www.oldcooperiansrfc.com/news/discipline-update-and-reminders-for-clubs-2994376.html

To the players, ex-players, friends and families or those, who ran the line, of the Old Cooperians Rugby Club.

Following the sad passing of Jim Britten, his loving wife Eunice and sons Stephen and Gareth, would like to
invite you to a celebration of his life on Friday 28th August.

Please pass this invitation on to anyone in the club who you think may wish to attend who may inadvertently
have been missed.

If you are planning to attend, it would assist to send a reply by email or text to indicate this, to either
[email protected] or to 0776 245 2991 so we have an idea of numbers.

The immediate family will es**rt Jim from his home in the Fairway to a service at Upminster Methodist
Church which he has regularly attended since moving to Upminster in 1959. We would ask all his many
family, friends and acquaintances to attend from here.

Following the service we would ask you to follow the funeral hearse the 10 minute drive to the local
crematorium for a short service.

The wake will follow at Upminster Golf Club, a drive back the way you came, past the church and a quarter
mile further on your right, where we will celebrate his amazing life.

James Edward Britten, 6th March 1935 - 6th August 2026

10:30am Upminster Methodist Church, 2 Hall Lane, Upminster, Essex RM14 1AE
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the service. Parking is available at the rear and sides of the church but if
full, paid parking is available in adjacent roads, at the railway station or behind M&S in the High Street.
http://www.upminstermethodistchurch.org/home.html

11:30am South Essex Crematorium, South Chapel, Ockendon Road, Upminster, Essex RM14 2UY
Parking is available. There are two chapels and we will be using the larger South Chapel.
https://southessexcrematorium.co.uk/

12:00pm Upminster Golf Club, 114 Hall Lane, Upminster, Essex RM14 1AU
Parking is available, approach the barrier and it will lift. A code is required for exiting which is provided in the
clubhouse. If parking is full, free parking is available in the thatched Tithe Barn car park, which is adjacent.
https://www.upminstergolfclub.co.uk/

Floral Tributes
These should be sent prior to 28th August to the funeral directors BF Mulley & Son, 254 St. Mary’s Lane,
Upminster, Essex RM14 3DH. https://www.bfmulleyson.com/our-funeral-homes/

Charitable Donations
Alternatively, you may wish to make a charitable donation, which we would encourage, and ask it be made to
a local charity, supported by Jim, which is First Step.

This is an excellent local charity, founded by family and friends from the church some 35 years ago, The
charity works tirelessly to support the families of children who have special needs and or disabilities.

Donations can easily be made through their website https://www.firststep.org.uk/

JIM “LINO” BRITTEN
1935 - 2026

For over 40 years Jim was a constant fixture on the touchline. Initially like many parents he was supporting his rugby loving sons Steve and Gareth but continued long after both had hung up their boots.

The position of linesman or touch judge in amateur rugby was always seen as a poisoned chalice. The referees request for each team to provide their own volunteer was always a reason to linger in the bar or just hang back with hands in pocket avoiding eye contact with the OC’s captain of the day.

That was until Jim first volunteered. The date, venue and opposition are lost in the mists of time but from that point onwards there was never a need to look around for that unwilling volunteer. Jim would always be there rain or shine, home or away (which could be anywhere in Eastern Counties) with his rugby boots, tracksuit bottoms tucked into his club socks, a club shirt or polo and his trusty bucket, magic sponge and can of Ralgex to treat any injured players!

There was no mistaking which club Jim was representing but if anyone thought that this would give Coopers an advantage in the game you were badly mistaken. Jim ran the line as fairly as any touch judge you could find. As in life he was scrupulously honest, no extra 5 yards given if Coopers No.10 finally found touch and never any doubt whose foot was on the line even if Coopers were denied a try. This often gave rise to controversy but Jim would not be swayed whatever the situation or the comments which might be directed his way.

Over time Jim became part of the 1st XV. Not only there on a Saturday but present on most training nights helping the coach to set things up, assisting with club registrations and chatting with injured players or those too knackered and taking a break. Jim was respected and loved by all. He was part of each club promotion, successful cup run but also a constant during those seasons where the results didn’t go as planned. So many players and supporters from the 1980’s through to the current day will have fond memories of Jim “Lino” Britten.

Off the field he was a member of the club committee and Club Chairman during difficult years before the club found its home in Upminster. In 2014 Jim was the first person to be presented with The Norman Cushion Club Person of the Year Award. Jim was truly a club legend.

The club sends its sincerest condolences to Eunice, Steve, Gareth and their family at this sad time. We will all miss Jim, the touchline will not be the same without him.

Old Cooperians RFC

Love as Brethren

The 2026/27 Old Cooperians social calendar is here.

We’ve got a full year of events lined up, with lots to look forward to throughout the season. From the pre-season curry to golf days, the races and our annual Halloween Beer Pong, there’s plenty happening both on and off the pitch.

Make sure you get the dates in your diary and keep an eye out for more details throughout the year.

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Congratulations to Charlie Harris on being named Club Captain, once again, for the 2026/27 season.

Join us in wishing him and the squad the very best for the season ahead. Here’s to an exciting year!

🔵🟡🔴

Some of our favourite photos of the previous season 🔵🟡🔴



"Haha"

A John Adler legend

Fight?

Hangover Sam

"Greatest 10 performance this club has ever seen" - Josh Preston

3 men, 1 Big Chaz

Muffin man - Not injured for once

A 9 in disguise

Deano the GOAT

Unluckeee Burley

Run Burley

Uh oh...

The most handsome man in the club

Double team

The tiniest scratch...

Steveo, the safest hands in Essex...

The wait is over! 🔵🟡🔴

Our 2026/2027 game fixtures have been released. Old Cooperians will kick off the season at home against Eton Manor III’s on 26 September.

It’s looking like an exciting season ahead for our boys 💪🏻

Preseason training starts this evening, from 6.45pm for a 7pm start. All new players are welcome!

🔵🟡🔴

🔵🟡🔴

Preseason training starts Monday 22 June.

Join us for kicking off the first preseason training session of the 2026/2027 season.

A preseason training date for your diary🗓️

Monday 22 June, 7:15-9pm, Coopers School, RM14 3HS

We’d love to see you there - come along and be part of our first preseason training session of the year.