Harvey Richards player at Penzance & Newlyn RFC

Club History - Players - Harvey Richards

Harvey Richards

On leave from the services, Harvey played in our very first match against Guys Hospital on Saturday the 22nd. September, 1945.

It marked the start of a long and proud association with the Pirates, being in the side that defeated Cardiff 5-0 in 1950, whilst he also played for us in the Middlesex Sevens a year later.

However, perhaps his greatest qualities shone when he skippered us in 1952-53 to a truly memorable season, one during which we were unbeaten from 1st. September to 7th. March.

He took his role very seriously and felt privileged to captain the Pirates at such a time.

Harvey played five times for Cornwall (1948-52) and also played for Middlesex when he was at Rosslyn Park.

Harvey Richards

He was Chairman of Cornwalls selection committee for a spell, and in 1973 he brought the idea of initiating the new 9-a-side version of our game (mini-rugby) for primary schools back to our area following a demonstration he had watched before an international in Cardiff.

Harvey had a spell looking after our Colts alongside Johnny Thomas, him also taking on the senior role of club Chairman from 1974-78.

After retiring as headmaster of Heamoor CP School in 1985, Harvey became commodore at Mounts Bay Sailing Club, but he still had an interest in rugby.

He was President of the Cornwall RFU from 1994-97, and was also busily active in our Golden Jubilee season, being a valued member of the Golden Jubilee Season Committee.

In recent years he has enjoyed a leading role as founder of the Cornwall Sages Society described by Harvey as being A bunch of old rugby buggers growing old together who enjoy each others company.

Their members are from clubs throughout the county who meet once every month for a pasty and a pint, and though they have an average age of 70 plus, they are, mentally, still stranded hopelessly in their mid-20s and why not?!