Gosport and Fareham Rugby Football Club - GFRFC

The big charity day kicks off on Saturday 24th May when a Gosport & Fareham Vets 13 will play a rugby league game against the British Army Rats 13 at Gosport Park (3pm).

The match is hopefully the first of what will become an annual event between the two teams and will be in aid of the Soldiers League, whose chosen Charities for 2008 are BLESMA, Combat Stress and The Royal British Legion, along with Fred Dugan's chosen charity of Cancer Research.

As Fred is an ex-Army man himself, all of these charities are close to his heart, but especially Cancer Research because Fred's wife Sandra sadly lost her fight against cancer in June 2007. She was a loyal rugby supporter at Gosport Park and played for Gosport & Fareham Ladies' team.

"It is a huge honour to be able to stage this first fixture and I hope there will be many more of these games," said Fred.

A Post Match Gala Dinner and Sporting Auction have been arranged for a 7pm sit down (see poster below).

"This game is a great opportunity for us to play together as well as enjoy the evening and raise much needed funds for a number of good causes," said Fred.

Fred, who retired from 1st XV rugby two years ago, but made a ‘comeback' in the last game of the rugby union season at Warlingham last weekend, will turn out for the Gos vets team whilst Stevie Emm is set to play for the Rats, the Army Vets team.

Tickets for the Gala Dinner are available from Fred Dugan on 078440 145723 or Lesley Weatherson on 07736 941789 but book early because numbers are limited.

Fred pictured 'retiring' from rugby after his last game for Gosport & Fareham, with wife Sandra and sons Wes and Wayne (right) in 2005. Fred played again for the Gos 1st XV last week! Photo by Roger Smith.