On Saturday former players, Richard Birtles, Matt Alton and Andy Maddock, friends of Eddie Cooper, presented a memorial bench to the Club, what you could call a “front row seat”.

It is 12 months since Eddie Cooper passed away, and his old mates thought that it would be fitting that there should be some sort of memorial to him at the club. First thoughts were down the line of having a brick with his name on, similar to those for other fondly remembered club members which are on the left as you enter the club. However, during the summer, when there is no rugby on, you can find some of the older club members (and younger ones!) watching cricket at Elworth Cricket Club, on benches many in memorial to past members. So, that was it, a memorial bench, but what do you put on it, well there could only be one thing.

Eddie came to the Club in about 1984 a 21-year-old with no idea of rugby, he was introduced to the club by Stuart Hopkins. At the time Eddie was working for Hopkins Newsagents in Congleton, owned by a founder member of Sandbach Rugby Club, Mike Hopkins.

His first game for the club was on the wing for the 4ths and Eddie was definitely a fish out of water, and when a high ball headed in his direction instead of catching it, he headed it into touch. Thus, earning the nick name of “Ed the ball” or E.T.B.
Over time he became a great Clubman, serving on the committee as House Committee Chairman and Social Secretary organising some great events especially the Annual Dinners at Keele Hall where he even dressed the red jacket of a Master of Ceremonies.

He even gave back some of what he learned about the game of rugby which he grew to love and for a couple of seasons was a Mini/Junior Coach at the Sandbach.

On the playing side he moved from the wing to hooker and from 4th team to 1st team, including a successful run as second team captain. He even stood for first team captain but was pipped at the post.

So that is what is on the plaque E.T.B., there have been some talk of not putting it on straight in reference to his line out throwing in, but that has been ignored.