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Former Gloucester and England prop Phil Blakeway will be special guest for Cheltenham Tigers’ tribute to Norman Rees

Cheltenham > Sport > Rugby Union

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Tuesday, 31st October 2017, 09:00

Phil Blakeway Phil Blakeway

Phil Blakeway will be tucking into Christmas lunch with all the trimmings a little earlier than most this year.

That’s because the one-time Gloucester and England prop is the guest of Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club on Saturday 9th December to mark a special tribute to Norman Rees, the driving force behind the formation of the club’s iconic Colts team in 1960.

Blakeway himself came through the Cheltenham Colts set-up back in the day and went on to play for Gloucester for many years, before helping England end decades of under-achievement by winning the Grand Slam under captain Bill Beaumont in 1980.

“Cheltenham Tigers have built a tribute to Norman Rees displaying the many caps and team photographs presented to ex-Colts players over the years,” said club historian John Woodward.

“The display is in the sports bar at The Newlands and will be formally opened by Phil Blakeway on 9th December before the club’s Christmas lunch.

“It is hoped that Norman’s daughter Glenda McWalter will be in attendance with her husband Stuart and Norman’s grandsons Ed and Tom, alongside many of the Colts named on the honours board.”

Blakeway, now 66, graduated to Cheltenham’s senior team before making the short journey up the A40 to Kingsholm in 1971 where he was to spend 14 years.

He toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1980 and went on to win 19 England caps.

Norman Rees died nine years ago at the age of 80.

Other Images

 The display in the sports bar at The Newlands

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