As most of us are aware, Clive’s contribution to our Club has been immeasurable over many years. We would not enjoy the club and the facilities we have today without the inspiration and hard work Clive gave on and off the field of play.

Clive played for the first fifteen in the 1960’s and 1970’s becoming Club Captain from 1969 to 1971. He carried on the good work around the Club and was elected Chairman from 1984 – 1987 and then President from 1998 – 2002. We are grateful for his stewardship and service.

We will miss his sociability, companionship, singing and sense of humour.

On behalf of the Club, I would like to convey our sympathies to Clive’s family at this difficult time.

A funeral service will be held at The Chilterns Crematorium, Amersham on Thursday 7th March 2019 at 2.30pm in the Milton Chapel. All are welcome. Family flowers only but donations to Dogs Trust c/o Arnold Funeral Service, 891 London Road, High Wycombe HP10 9TB or online. Enquiries 01494 472572.

Peter Kenyon, President
Amersham and Chiltern RFC

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Clive R. Newton

Born 1949, Chesham
Centre
Taunton School 1965
Sale FC 1966-69
Chiltern RFC 1966-72 (Capt 1969-71) Buckinghamshire RFC 1970-71
Chairman, Chiltern RFC 1984-87
President, Amersham & Chiltern RFC 1998-2002

Clive typifies “Chiltern Man” according to Tony Harman’s book “More than Seventy Summers”. It states “Chiltern Man’s capital is Chesham and his main characteristics are extreme independence and a disrespect for authority”.

Clive first played for the club on 8 January 1966 for Wynn Evans Extra B XV against Camelot. By 19 February, Clive had been chosen to play at full back for the 1st XV against Mill Hill, replacing club stalwart Alan Pegley.

Clive learnt his basic rugby skills at The Beacon School, in the same era as Tony Tagent and Simon Curtis, before being further educated at Taunton School, Somerset, and Manchester University, when he took the opportunity to play rugby for Sale FC. He returned to Chesham to work in the family boot manufacturing business, Giffard Newton.

Clive’s election as 1st XV captain in the 1969-70 season brought about the resurgence of Chiltern rugby. A number of key players joined, including Danny Hale, a teacher at Raans School and former Bedford player, Bill Patterson, who had previously played for Sale, Wasps, Cheshire, Barbarians, England and British Lions, as well as Peter Stafford, England trialist, Barbarian, Cheshire and Rosslyn Park and also Roddy Adams, a 6 foot 7 inch second row on loan from the British Army to the Sultan of Oman. Even further recruits were David McIntosh and fellow Scotsman Sandy Wood.

Clive’s senior rugby career peaked with games for Bucks County XV but was curtailed towards the end of 1971 when he suffered a broken Achilles tendon. Clive recovered, but fortunately for Chiltern members broke his jaw in a Sevens competition at Oxford and was wired up for 10 weeks.

Clive ‘rested’ for several years until his son William took up the challenge with Chiltern Minis, Juniors and Colts, when he returned to coaching. Flushed with success, Clive’s ambition was to promote greater unification between the Mini and Junior sections and the senior club. He seemed the natural candidate to take on the onerous task of club Chairman.

During Clive’s chairmanship, the senior club improved its playing status by appointing Tony Aplin as 1st XV team manager - a local rugby enthusiast who, it could be said, was ten years ahead of his time. With his connections to Welsh rugby, Tony secured the services of several ‘retired’ senior players, bringing a new dimension to Chiltern rugby.

In 1998, Clive took over from the retiring President Brian Arbib, who had been in residence for ten excellent years. In his Presidency, together with his ‘think tank’ from the Red Lion Little Missenden, Clive has raised considerable funds towards the new Chiltern clubhouse.
Eighty seasons at Amersham & Chiltern RFC