Football salutes Rover Bill’s 50 years of service

Football salutes Rover Bill’s 50 years of service

The former Rovers secretary was one of the club’s founding members during the Occupation, and in the 74 years since 3 September 1944 his commitment has never waned.

Married to late-wife Anthea for 57 years from 1959, Corson – father to four daughters and grandfather of six – has not let recent illness hamper his positive outlook, or indeed his intentions to cheer on his club from the sidelines.

His efforts will be celebrated at the Jersey Football Combination’s annual awards night on Friday 8 June, having already been recognised with a long-service medal from league president Charlie Browne.

Speaking about his award last week, the 90-year-old said: ‘Lester Richardson, our president, came to see me about it. I was shocked really … I didn’t expect anything like that at all. It’s great, really nice.’

Discussing Rozel’s early days, the former Trinity procurer explained: ‘I was quite young … I think it was 1943/44 when we entered the league, but we had friendly games before that.

‘There were 16 of us who went to see Tom Billot [founding president] about setting it up, and he said yes. He said we’ll get out a few goal posts to put up at home for a kick about, and we did.

‘We weren’t brilliant, but we all liked a game of football. In those days St Martin’s used to be a good team, and we couldn’t get a game. Only my brother, Arthur, could get a game so that’s why we decided to form the club.

‘We kept it to the Rozel vingtaine at first – we didn’t allow anybody else in for the first year – but then we opened it up.

‘We started at Cottage Farm. I remember putting the cows on the field in the morning, of course there were no cutters in those days, then we’d pick up the muck off the field, mark the pitch and play a game of football.’

However, Corson’s playing career was cut extremely short, meaning life as a club volunteer began earlier than he perhaps would have hoped.

‘I dislocated my knee when I was 21,’ he said. ‘The goalkeeper caught my leg and then I was done. That was bad.

‘I was four-and-a-half months without working on the farm, which was hard. I pottered around a bit but it wasn’t easy. It was nine weeks in plaster, and when you take it out it was stiff as hell.

‘When it could take a bit of weight I would tie half a pound of corn beef or a tin of salmon around my leg and do this [knee extensions] for hours. One of the doctors came to see me and couldn’t believe it [his level of improvement], and that’s what they do now with weights.

‘I played about four games after that, but my leg swelled up, so I couldn’t play no more. So I did the line for 45 years plus. I still did a few games until I was 70.’

And if being club linesman wasn’t enough, Corson has also played a considerable role behind the scenes on numerous Island committees.

‘I’m a great believer in doing something for the Island or for the parish, and to help the youngsters along,’ he said.

‘I was on seven different committees one time. The tug of war, I was a Rozel Rovers delegate, I was on the JFA council for a while, Rothmans [League], the [honorary] police – I was on too many things. But whether it’s football or the honorary police, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

‘I was Rozel secretary for nine years from around 1949 to 1959 roughly, because I got married in 1959. They wanted me to take on president, but I’d taken on a farm at Trinity and was getting married. I had a young wife, she was just 20 and I was 32, so I did alright.’

He continued: ‘Over the years I’ve met some nice people, country folks – you won’t beat the country folks. I like people that are straight. One thing I detest is people who will try and play you for no reason. Be straight about things. If you’ve done something wrong admit it or apologise. But don’t go round like you’re the king. A lot of people do and that’s where you come unstuck.’

With those words in mind, Corson’s response to how the game has changed throughout his 75-year footballing career was unsurprising.

‘Not for the best,’ he said.

‘If I fell down I had to be hurt. Now they fall down waiting for the ref to give them a red card or a booking, which I think is all wrong. It’s for a game of sport.

‘These people that dive for a penalty … they’re taking their chance. If I was referee, I’d send him off. They’re the first ones I’d send off. That’s not sport.’

That said, his love for the game, and for Rozel, has by no means been tarnished.

‘I’ve enjoyed every game, win or lose,’ he explained.

‘In our history we’ve probably lost more games than we’ve won but I still enjoy it. We’ve got a good bunch – it’s a good club, well run and we have a good committee.

‘I enjoy my club.’

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –