The Belleville Bulldogs turn 50 this year.
Nobody knew back in the local rugby club’s official first season, 1976, that 50 years later the Bulldogs would be a thriving organization with four senior sides — men and women — along with Masters, Juniors and Minis.
In 1978, when I joined, there were occasional road trips where we were barely able to scrape together the required 15 guys. Until we joined the former Mid-Ontario Rugby Union (MORU) a couple of years later, we’d travel just about anywhere for a match. Due to our lack of games, our training sessions were often tougher than our matches.
One of my favourite memories of those early Bulldog days was the year, 1981, when we formed our first junior boy’s squad. And it happened purely by chance.
At a post-match beer-up in Barrie, I was standing beside our captain, Steve Hicks, when one of our hosts told us they were getting their junior team prepared for the provincial tournament a couple of weeks later in Brantford. The Barrie boys were to represent MORU.
“Why do they get to represent MORU?” asked Hicks.
“Because nobody else has a junior team,” came the reply.
“Well, we could put a junior team together,” said Hicks.
Our host didn’t exactly scoff, but you could tell he was not convinced. But, due to the persistence of Hicks, it was decided that if we could cobble together a junior boys team, they could travel to Barrie the following weekend for a one-off showdown to declare the MORU rep for the Provincials.
Game on.
Long story short, our kids beat Barrie — handily. The Barrie contingent was none to happy with the result, but despite much grumbling, stuck to the original bargain and our boys were off to Brantford the next weekend to represent MORU at the All-Ontario tournament.
Hicks and I were coaches, and our longtime clubmate and current Quinte MP, Chris Malette, also tagged along to help out. As far as the Toronto-centric Ontario Rugby Union (ORU) was concerned, Belleville might as well have been on Mars. They gave us short shrift, throwing our fledgling team to the wolves with its opening game against the defending provincial champion Oakville Crusaders.
Long story short, led by some incredible runs from a hard-charging John Ricketts and some stalwart work in the forward pack, our boys upset the Crusaders. Shocker. Suddenly, curious observers on the sidelines were asking: “Where did you say these guys were from?”
Heck, Oakville’s coach was so angry he barely shook hands with us at full-time. And, he refused to offer any advice whatsoever on our next opponent, the Toronto Scottish.
“Why should I help you?” he blustered, storming off the field.
Unfortunately, our juniors lost Game 2 and were relegated to the consolation round. We ended on a high note, however, by defeating London in our final match.
Best of all, our junior men had made a strong statement. The big brass of the ORU — and every other club in attendance in Brantford that weekend 45 years ago — suddenly knew not only where Belleville was located on the map, but also that the Bulldogs could play rugby.
I might be missing a couple of names, but here is the bulk of the roster that comprised the Bulldogs first-ever junior team:
Mike Atkin, Glenn Carr, Brian Gjelstad, Barry Goldberg, Eddie Leblanc, Blair Mackintosh, Billy May, Andy McNeill, James Price, John Ricketts, Andre Schad, Mike Schad, Tony Simpson, Mike Stewart, Wayne (Ace) Swallow, Karl Svoboda and Steve Taylor.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
As is the case with any organization that is celebrating a 50th anniversary, there are bound to be some treasured members who are no longer with us. Here are five who are gone, but never forgotten — Bulldogs forever:
Curtis Crawford
The “Big Gorn” introduced me to rugby and for that I am forever grateful. Always played hard and always led the songs afterwards at the bar. An irreplaceable part of Bulldogs lore.
Bobby Graydon
The “Badger” was one of the most intense individuals you could ever come across on the rugby pitch. Went on to become a respected judge but always had a place in his heart for the Bulldogs.
Brian Langabeer
Often facing larger opposites at his prop position in the front row, “Insane” never — ever — gave an inch.
Brian Gjelstad
The Bulldogs family was his actual family for a while. “Jelly” joined the club as a teenager and left as a man.
Liam Hayes
The good doctor wasn’t a bad rugby player either. Once stitched me up at half-time of a game and I didn’t miss a minute.
