WHITCHURCH Rugby Club have constructed a new electronic scoreboard in memory of the late Sam Eccleston, a long-time president of the club.

Sam, the former owner of the Whitchurch Herald, died in 2019, but his legacy at the club has been carried on thanks to his son-in-law, Dominic, who gifted a large sum to help fund the new scoreboard.

The gift from Dominic was made to his wife Sarah, Sam's youngest daughter, who returned from her home in Dubai to unveil it.

A gift from Sam's other daughter, Jan, and her husband Paul Wynn, enabled the board to be built.

Current club president, John Oakden, said the new scoreboard would help boost the club's reputation within the leagues.

"The scoreboard itself is electronic and controlled from a remote Wi-Fi system which will enable the scorer to operate from the cover of the stand and which can be seen from all areas of the ground," explained John.

"The scoreboard adds to the growing reputation of Whitchurch Rugby Club and they will be welcoming many clubs from big conurbations and populations when the season starts in September.

"Whitchurch are in the top league of the amateur game competing with teams such as Hereford, Worcester, Stoke on Trent and Wolverhampton.”

"We rely, almost entirely, on players from Whitchurch and surrounding villages and the club ensures its community role by hosting Whitchurch Alport Football Juniors training, Whitchurch Whippets, Covid Testing, Flu jabs, Parkinsons Society, Whitchurch Pigeon Fanciers, PSA testing and Whitchurch Young Farmers.

"The players sing a song, 'Whitchurch are coming up the hill' and it has never been more true."