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We are saddened to announce that Ryan Evans is departing as first team head coach at the end of this season. Ryan has been in the role for 4 years and has seen the club through some hard times. 

Here’s what he had to say: 

“My time at Oxton has come to an end. Yes that’s it you read it right, I am leaving my post as Oxton Parkonians Head Coach. 

4 years I started “coaching” these unbelievable players, but every good thing must come to an end. The club has progressed beyond measure in the last 4 years, from winning just 4 games in my first season as coach, to potentially finishing runners up in the league this 24/25 season.

I am no qualified coach, I’ve no experience in coaching and took the role because I wanted to work with the lads, make them better and to put this great club back on the map. I have without doubt achieved way more than I expected when I took the role on and that’s thanks to every player who has played, from starting to benching, I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you.

To every player new and old thank you, thank you for your time, efforts, commitment, passion and most of all willingness to turn up and play and train, you are the real reason the club is where it is today. The 25/26 will soon be upon you, so I have but a few final requests, please please please stay committed to improving, support the new coach and captain and keep working hard to push the club next season.

My role does not see me exit the club, I’ll remain on the rugby committee so you haven’t seen the last of me. Take care all and maybe, just maybe, see you at pre season. Much love onions, Ryan.”

We wish Ryan every success in his future endeavours.

Fellow Oxton Parkonians, this is your call to arms! Our First team are about to play their most important league game for many seasons.

For the first time in most of your memories, we are playing for possible promotion against a Caldy team who will be out for revenge after our last minute one point victory over them on 28th September. It looks like our second team game at home has already been conceded by Northwich, so we need to get as many supporters onto the touchline at Caldy as possible to be able to roar on the mighty 'Onions' as they seek to do the double over our illustrious neighbours.

What a glorious end to an already very successful season it would be to crown it with victory and second spot in our league with the possibility of promotion and to follow that up with a celebration at the club dinner and awards evening back at Holm Lane.

This is a winner takes all occasion and your clubmates would appreciate all the support we can muster to act as a 16th man and offer vocal but good natured support for the last 80 minutes of the season.

GAMES ARE :

• 1/11/25 – England v Australia KO 15:10
• 8/11/25 – England v Fiji KO 17:40
• 15/11/25 – England v New Zealand KO 15:10
• 23/11/25 – England v Argentina KO 16:10

FOR THOSE MEMBERS WISHING TO APPLY FOR TICKETS PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING :

i) The RFU have now notified clubs of the dates for the above games only. Regarding ticket prices the RFU have not yet issued them, as a guide, last season ticket prices were:- Premium Category £169, Category 1 £149, Category 2 £130, Category 3 £112, Category 4 £80 and Juniors £33. 

ii) P.Mullen must be notified by email of game, number of tickets and CATEGORY of tickets, additionally mobile numbers also need to be given. P.Mullen email address is mullen55@btinternet.com. Applications to be made no later than 14th April 2025.

iii) Please do not send monies with applications. P.Mullen will secure the tickets from the RFU GMS as soon as it opens and an automatically generated email will then be sent to the applying member asking them to visit the GMS website to pay for their allocated tickets. Prior to receiving their tickets the member will need to of downloaded the Twickenham Stadium app to their mobile phone.  The members E-Tickets will then be sent to the app a few days before the game.

iv) The club are allocated a specific Number of tickets for each game, as such if any game is oversubscribed by members then the Rugby Club Committee will decide who is successful or not.

It is with the deepest regret I have to report the death of Bill Murray who passed away peacefully on Tuesday 25th February.

Bill was an Old Boy of the school who excelled in rugby captaining the Old Boys as well as representing the Army. He was also instrumental in forming a rugby team at John Moores University where he held the position of the First Governor of the University.

Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Pat and family. A true "Birkenhead Boy" made good, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Bill's funeral will take place on Monday 31st March at the Church of Our Lady and St. John, Telegraph Road, Heswall at 2.30pm followed a gathering to remember Bill at Heswall Golf Club, Cottage Lane, Heswall from 3.30pm until 5pm

Ken Cooke

OPAL Chairman

The Annual Past Players Reunion event will take place on Saturday 15th February 2024 from 12noon.

The day will include a buffet lunch (£5), the 1st XV at home to Wallasey (2.15pm KO) and plenty of memories and tales of long ago.

Everyone is very welcome, see you there!

Steve Barnett

Chairman

Oxton Parkonians

Dear Member

Club Newsletter January 2025

Firstly, we would like to wish all our members and their families the happiest possible New Year.

As with most years, 2024 was a challenging year for the club but thanks to the efforts of everyone who volunteer their time and skills to the club across all areas, we continue to meet these challenges. We look forward to growing the club through 2025.

Moving forward we will be sending newsletters on a regular basis, so you are all kept informed about what is happening at the club.

Community Matters

Following on from last year’s great fundraising success for the Wirral branch of MNDA, we have decided to fund raise for a charity each year.

We are proud to say that for 2025 that Tim, Alison, and the Hassall family have agreed that we can fund raise for a legacy for their late son Will. Will was part of the Old Parkonians family for many years and he was taken far too soon. 

We will provide more details about the legacy fund and how we will support it, once it is all finalised.

Grounds

We are still exploring options to fund more extensive repairs to the 1st team ruby pitch, but once current season ends, we will be looking to carry out works to the worst areas. We will let you know more towards the end of the season but volunteers are needed to help with the work.

Chris Beckett is also progressing a possible ECB grant to carry out verti draining and sanding off the cricket outfield which also serve as additional rugby pitches.

Senior Rugby

Rugby has finally returned after a hiatus due to bad weather and the Christmas break.

Both teams returned to action on Saturday 18^th January and recorded great wins. The 1^st team won 66 – 12 against a Wirral team to continue their rise up the table. The 2^nd team won 31-12 against a strong Southport team and remain top of their table.

Training has resumed on a Wednesday, 7pm to 8pm, at the Birkenhead School all weather pitches at McAlester Field. The training is showing dividends in the match performances, so please continue to support each other and the coaching team.

Junior Rugby

After a successful 2024, the junior section head into the new year full of hope and optimism. Player numbers are at an all-time high, with all age groups progressing incredibly well over the past 12 months.

Our under 7's and 8's continue to develop well under the guidance of Rob, with very good numbers each week.

Our under 10's continue to go from strength to strength. Player recruitment has been incredibly successful for this team, who week in week output in fantastic performances against any team they face. They are one to watch for the future.

The under 11's are working well through a transition. They have a very strong core of players and are looking to build on this as the season goes on. We are hoping for a flood of new faces when the players head to senior school later this year.

The under 13's are an incredibly tight knit unit, and an absolute credit to the core values of the club, and the game of rugby. Phenomenal teamwork, an excellent sportsmanship ethic and a credit to Parkonians.

The under 15's are developing into a force to be reckoned with. Multiple opposition coaches have commented on just how far this team have come. A couple of years ago, this team was in danger of disbanding, but due to the hard work of Dave Corker, and the support he is receiving from other coaches on a Thursday and Sunday, they are stronger now than they have ever been.

Women’s Touch Rugby

A big thank you to Sue Hillan / Neuro Independence for the sponsorship of the new training tops and balls.

Training has resumed on a Thursday evening, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, at the Birkenhead School all weather pitches at McAlester Field. 

Cricket

Pre-season nets will start soon. We are anticipating a change of both venue and day/time. Please keep an eye on the usual social media platforms for updates.

Adam and Greg are stepping down from their roles as junior secretary and AllStars Activator. It is essential that these roles are filled. If you think you can offer some time to assist, please contact anyone on the committee.

Hopefully, we won’t have the same horrendous weather as last year and soon we will be looking to start our pre-season pitch preparations. If you fancy topping up your tan whilst sitting on the roller for an hour, please offer your services.

Finally, our skipper, Danny, continues to shine in his adventures down under. No excuses if he doesn’t hit a half century in his first game back!