Players Profiles
Stuart Rutter
Allan Gaut
AGE - 47
PREVIOUS CLUBS - Donnington Wood where I
started bowling at the age of 10, and St Georges. FAVOURITE GREEN -
The old Donnington Wood green when we won the treble - Mid Shropshire League,
Harris Cup and County Cup.
BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN BOWLS - My Dad who
introduced me to the game and my bowling uncles Keith, Nev and Graham. Other
than that just actually watching good bowlers when I was a lad. I learned a lot
by watching county matches. BEST FRIEND IN BOWLS - my brother in
law Phil Clee
SUCCESSES IN BOWLS - Shropshire's first
Junior Merit winner 1974, Whit Monday 1978, Bowring Open twice, Coddon Open,
Glynwed Doubles with Ally Williams, Mid Shropshire Doubles three times (2 with
Geoff Clarke, 1 with Richard Bond), Severnside Doubles with Phil, and numerous
mixed doubles with my wife Ange. Ange and I won the Winnington Park mixed four
years in a row. I also was fortunate enough to have played over 40 games for
Shropshire county team. BOWLS AMBITION - to qualify for the All
England finals, to see my son Martin, nephew Stuart and niece Sally enjoy
bowling and be successful, and I would love to win something big with my
Wrockwardine Wood team mates. As I am captain this year of what I think is a
very good Wood side it would be extra special if it happened this season. BEST
MOMENT IN BOWLS - Winning the County Junior Merit in 1974 while my Dad
was still alive, although he did not see me win it, I know how proud he was when
I bought the trophy home.
FAVOURITE DRINK - Bitter, but I drink Diet
Coke these days its better for keeping my sugar level down. FAVOURITE
HOLIDAY RESORT - Torquay
FUNNIEST TEAM MATE - Phil when he shouts
so much he loses his voice
I Started Bowling about the age of 14/15 at Wrockwardine Wood, Won the novice with the best performance in the County Handicap. Claim to fame at that time skiving off school to play cards with some other young boys in the old hut. Got caught by Dickie Picken, end of card School. I Have never bowled for any other club, and I am currently Vice Captain of the men's' Premier league team. Married to Helen we have two Children Stuart and Sally all are bowlers so keeping it in the family. Helen and I have won the Husband and Wife on a number of occasions, won Mid Shropshire doubles with Paul Jones, Severnside doubles with Allan Gaut also the County Mixed with Helen. I have played Premier League with the 'Wood' sine it started and have Captained the side once.
Steve Faulkner Age: 41 Year started bowling: 1977 Previous clubs: Trench, Donnington Wood, H.U.S.C., Wrockwardine Wood Best friend in bowls: I have two, Rob Jones (whose company I enjoy) and Andy Stevens (he's always been there when I needed a friend). Bowling Ambition: To play for the county. Favourite TV programme: Real life drama's TV personality: John Clees film: Notting Hill musician: Sting football team: Arsenal food: Indian holiday destination Ibiza
Steve Broome Age: 24
Previous Clubs: The Nabb, Donnington Best Friend in Bowls: They're all good mates but Rhodsey since i've known him from our days in the junior county Funniest Team Mate: Well since Fowler's comment (see below) it would only be fair to say that as captain this guy does the score card yet cant add up! What do you do for a living again Rob? Know what you're getting for Christmas! Biggest Influence: My only influence in the game has been my father. He encouraged me to begin practicing when he used to play for Madeley Court Centre. After the home games i'd be straight on the green to practice but they wouldn't keep the lights on for me so i played in the dark! (Yes Rob, that's when i had some good eyes!!) Silliest Moment: Arriving at the coach to go to Wales in the junior county and realising i'd forgot my bowls. Oops! Best Moment: Winning 21-1 at number one in the junior county on Coddon No.1 green Ambitions: Individually its to make the senior county side, as a team its to win the premier league.
Fav Drink: Lager Fav Holiday Resort: Ifton bowling Club. Occupation: Accountant. Funniest Team Mate: They're all a cracking bunch of lads - but Broomy springs to mind, he thinks he's a bowls coach - now that's funny???!! Silliest Thing I have ever done: Played Phil Clee in the first 4 on a running green. Previous Clubs: The Nabb. Favourite Green: Wrockwardine Wood Biggest Influence in Bowls: My granddad encouraged us to take up the game but after that it was Jim Mansell, Jim was a legend amongst us younger bowlers at the Nabb, he had left the club over 20 years ago but people still talked about him and the marks he used to play - we didn't really know Jim just the history - we just wanted to play bowls like him, it was only some years later when we decided to come to Wrockwardine Wood that we saw the guy first hand - great player. Best Moment in bowls: The two years I spent as first team captain were very special to me, it is a great honour to captain a side like Wrockwardine Wood. I was lucky enough to captain the team at two major Finals, the Alan Mayhew and the County Cup. The County Cup will always go down as one of the special nights in my bowling career, the night before we had been beaten 3-11 at home to Castlefields. I remember the atmosphere in the club house after, we were all gutted at losing our home record, but to a man everyone felt we still had a chance (what a great attitude !)and ultimately what a great result on that Saturday night. I vividly remember how I felt Captaining the team at the final of a County Cup and I will always be grateful for that opportunity. It gives you a taste, a taste I'd like to think we are ready to experience again.........
