WE INTERVIEWED the Chairman of Thurrock Rugby Club, Bob Heapy, just before the first game of the season when they beat Bury St Edmunds 22-10. A freshly laid pitch, sponsors banners surrounding the ground, a new bar and a room full of sponsors enjoying the buffet and eagerly awaiting the new season.
There is very much a feelgood factor at the club. Promotion helps as does the infusion of new players and the sense of going places.
Director of Rugby Ralph Henderson recently went to Harlequins to meet with their Chief Exec and get a feel for how Thurrock on and off the pitch can take things to the next level.
People look across at the Blackshots area and see the massive potential for the area. The North Grays Design Brief illustrated that. The concern is whether the loss of the DC will jeopardise that at all.
