The Blog is Back for 2008...and meet Donagh Foley (Old Boy #2), if you dare

The only reason this odd photo of a ginger Irishman who finds it rather hard not to get yellow-carded at crucual moments in international matches is here is because Donagh wanted it to be.

Happy New Year to all

Hope 2008 is treating you well so far. After two weeks of idleness (sorry Q, I have been injured), it's back to the fray this weekend. More to come on that, but to keep you happy for now, the Blog is proud to offer everything you never wanted to know about our esteemed Section Chairman, Mr Donagh Foley. Goodness knows what he's on about half the time but never mind. Once again, many thanks to Broony, whose links in the criminal underworld have been invaluable in setting up these delightful 'Meet the Old Boys' numbers.

Harps

Name: Donagh Foley
Age: 45
Year retired: 1998
Years at Club: 18
Occupation: Shepherd
Nationality: Irish
Rugby position: Centre (outside Woots and he was shit!!!)
Previous clubs: Associates (Perth), Wimbledon and Bective Rangers
Favorite things about rugby: Watching Sequins try to play rugby and then talk about it afterwards as if they had.
Favorite current HKFC player and why? Nigel Hobler. He's slow and looks like he needs a good feed. Reminds me of Don Rider in his prime. Now all Nige has to do is get the limp right.
Most embarrassing rugby spectating experience: 1999 World Cup. A pint of Guiness. Wootten. Sick. Need I say more (a bit of a Matt Dunning moment)?
Wanchai or Manila? Neither, but ex-Chairman Rider speaks highly of both.
Sequins corner or Sportsman's? Sequins Corner, where there is more bullshit spoken in one hour than at the UN in a whole year.
HKFC 10s or HKRFU 7s? 10s
Drinking with Woots or shopping with the wife? Shopping with the wife as I hate rum.
Marilyn Munroe or Sophia Loren? Sophia Loren - a better class of bird or so Burgess told me and he should know, they’re the same age.

Merry Christmas from the Blog!

Whatever you're doing, wherever you may be, I bet no-one else is being so sad as to log on to the Blog on Christmas Day. Well that's the commitment you get from us here at the Blog. And what can I say, it was a quiet 10 minutes before dinner (which, it has to be said, looks like a gargantuan dream of an English Christmas feast). Hope you are all staying in trim just like me. Want to wish you and yours all the best for 2008 and remind you that we will kick off the Blog for next year with a special Donagh Foley 'Meet the Old Boy'.

From the Frozen North.
Harps

Meet the Old Boys #1 - Craig Wootten

Introducing a new feature for the Blog at the suggestion of Iain 'Broony' Brown, whose brainchild this is and who devised these searching questions. Broony is threatening to delve into the addled minds of some of the other Sequins Corner regulars, so watch out.

Woots prefers not to supply a picture and be represented by Mat Giteau (or Rocky Elsom) instead. Out of respect for the former Chairman, I haven't used the picture of Giteau kneeling in submission to Lawrence Dallaglio or being smashed by Jonny Wilkinson.

Name: Craig Wootten
Age: 49
Year retired: 2003
Occupation: Postman
Nationality: Australian
Rugby position: Centre
Years at Club: 20
Previous rugby clubs: None - I was a Rugby league convert
Favourite things about HK rugby: Listening to Bouch and Jim Rowark speak about it
Current favourite Club player and why? Mike McKee as he'll be my small boy on the Invitational this year and is easily pussy whipped
Most embarrassing spectating rugby experience: Every week standing next to Foley
Wanchai or Manila? Neither - happily married
Sequins corner or The Sportsmans? Sequins Corner - it's cheaper
HKFC 10s or HKRFU 7s? 10s
Drinking alone or shopping with the wife? Drinking alone or with Foley - same thing
Marilyn Munro or Sophia Loren? Marilyn - not so lumpy and she was blond

Blue Jacket winner Cameron speaks to the Blog

Cameron (left) celebrates as Club win the Grand Championship in 2004. Is that Nick Tempest in the background? It could be, you know. 2004 was Club's last win at the top level - will 2007-08 be the next glory season?

Last Saturday, former Club and Hong Kong Captain Tom Cameron became the first recipient of the Hong Kong Football Club's Blue Jacket, which can have come as no surprise to anyone familiar with rugby in Hong Kong. The award, which will be given out annually, honours the player whose contribution best exemplifies the spirit and values of the Club. Tom Cameron speaks to The Blog about the award and what playing rugby in and for Hong Kong means to him.

Blog: How does it feel to be the first recipient of the HKFC Rugby Section's Blue Jacket?

TC: It is a great surprise and a massive honour.

Blog: The award is for a player whose "contribution best exemplifies the spirit and values of the section." What do you believe those values to be?

TC: I just love playing rugby and there is no better place than the Club. The social life around the rugby section is great and there is always someone that can help with a problem. Play hard on and off the pitch.

Blog: Who were your rugby heroes as a lad? And why?

TC: Uli Schmidt - He was a small but tough Springbok hooker. He scored great tries on the wing - the original Seagull!

Blog: What made you join HKFC rather than any of the other clubs in Hong Kong?

TC: There was no choice! Donough Foley and Craig Wootten said there were no other clubs in Hong Kong ...... and then there were the white towels!

Blog: How would you compare your first season with Club to this season?

TC: Now we are going back a long time... Every year had its great moments and awesome players. This year we have some young blood in and the boys are focused on what they want to achieve.

Blog: What are your outstanding memories of playing for Club, and for Hong Kong?

TC: Getting an eight week suspension after my first Grand Championship Final must stand out. It's a great honour every time to put the 1st team jersey on or run out for the country you represent! That is a great feeling! Beating Korea was also a massive highlight.

Blog: Any regrets?

TC: Never.

Blog: Could you nominate the best two or three matches you have played in since you have been in Hong Kong (for Club or the national side)?

TC: The Grand Championship win in 2004, beating Korea [in 2007] and every win against Valley!

Blog: Which players have you most enjoyed playing the game with during your career?

TC: Rugby is a great game. Eevery team I played for had their characters and outstanding players. The list will be too long!

Blog: Who would you say have been the strongest influences on you as a rugby player? And in what ways? And why?

TC: My family - Mum, Dad, Brother and Melanie! They were always there to encourage.

Blog: What would you say have been the funniest moments for you in Hong Kong rugby?

TC: Every time I speak to Junior Naylor.

Blog: Club has experimented with professional players in the past, but has been against this approach in recent years. What are your views on the question?

TC: It is good to have these guys in your team, it lifts the level but if your club only relies on them to win you trophies, you're going to be in trouble. You need guys that have a passion for the Club and you need them to stick around for a few years. Club is on the right track with getting guys jobs.

Blog: How do you feel the Club has bounced back after the Bali Tragedy in 2002?

TC: The Club has been great but it is important that new section members know what happened and the spirit and legacy those that died left behind.

Blog: What do you think the rugby section has to do to ensure that Club and the other teams remain dominant at their respective grades in the years to come?

TC: Everyone should support each other - it's not about the teams, it's about the Club as a whole.

Blog: Do you believe that Hong Kong can qualify for a World Cup under the current system?

TC: The structures in place at the moment for Hong Kong are the best I've seen. Ivan Torpey has made a massive difference to Hong Kong rugby. With Japan at the top and Tonga and co in the repercharge pools, it's always going to be tough! But I would love to see that happen.

Blog: How would you like to be remembered as player after you hang up your boots?

TC: Tough bastard on the park but a great guy to have a beer with afterwards.