Well done Toss!
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Tom Skelton applauds the try scored by the Ballymoney 3rds in their Foster Cup match against Ballymena
THERE'S none more famous for wearing the no 7 shirt at Ballymoney Rugby Club than Tom Skelton. And why should there be when he's played 700 games for the club - it would be hard to take the jersey off him!
Tom, or Toss is he is more affectionately know, made his 700th appearance for Ballymoney when the lined out for the 3rd XV against Ballymena 4th XV in the Foster Cup at Kilraughts Road on Saturday.
Toss is a well known face to most people in Ballymone, not just because he is Headmaster of Dalriada School, and, by the way, it's no coincidence that since his involvement at the school, rugby there has grown from strength to strength each year and indeed this Saturday the 1st XV have an important fourth round Schools' Cup game at home to Bangor Grammar.
Toss has been a stalwart at the club for many years. He was been club and 1st XV captain for fives seasons, in 1980-82, 1986-88 and 1992-93, meaning he is the only person to captain the team on three seperate occasions.
He has also played an important role off the pitch, being club chairman from 2001-03 and playing a large part in the structure of rugby at the club as Youth and Games Development Co-ordinator for more years than anyone can remember.
Toss' playing career at Ballymoney began on Saturday, March 23, 1974 when he made his debut under captain Joe Killen away to Bangor 2Bs in the league as a young raw 16-year-old. However, despite that young age, Toss' dedication and enthusiasm would mean he would play for Dalriada School in the morning and then Ballymoney Rugby Club in the afternoon. His first full season at the club was in 1976-77 where he played for the Firsts under captain John Paul. The highlight of that season was for the young teen was being part of the 1st XV which reached the semi-final of the Towns' Cup; another Towns' Cup semi-final appearance came in 1979-80.
In Toss' first year as captain he lead the 1st XV league glory and victory in the Past Players Cup Final at Ravenhill where they defeated a very strong Ballymena 2nd XV 24-13. Further success came for the 1st XV and Toss Skelton when they won the North West Cup in 1992-93 and on a personal level he represented Junior Ulster and played a major part in Ulster winning the Inter-provinical title.
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