Reeds Pay Tribute to Captain Fantastic
Reeds winning their last home match of the 2021-22 season was always going to be a fitting way to end Billy Maddock’s captaincy of Reeds – the players knew it and they delivered for their skipper.
That in itself says so much more about our skipper than accolades such as ‘’the Club’s most successful captain’’ will ever do and which, whilst true, don’t give you a feel for the person.
Born into a rugby mad family, his destiny was shaped before his birth. Billy joined the Club when he was 4 years of age, was an integral part of the successful Mini and Youth set up’s between U5‘s – U14’s then left but soon returned after a brief sojourn away and has proudly led the 1st XV since 2016 in the days of the Surrey League system.
It’s a mark of the man he has become that in all the time he has been at the Club he has never given less than 100%. He has shown himself to be a committed trainer who leads from the front and who will accept nothing less than perfection from himself and others. Spurred on by that, he has also re-invented himself as a player over the years as Reeds has climbed the league system.
His results speak as loud as his actions – since becoming skipper in 2016, Reeds have played 86 league games, winning 78, drawing 1, and losing only 7 times – a 90% win-rate, and who can forget the day Billy lifted the National Vase in 2019. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to watch.
DoR Nige Connell said ”Billy has been a coach’s dream and over 6 seasons had matured into a captain respected by teammates, opposition and officials. He has that unique ability to say the right thing at the right time and galvanise a team, regularly influencing the outcome of our matches. Whilst Billy will be stepping down as skipper, he is already excited by next season and I know will give us all in support of his successor. I would expect nothing less”
Today saw him turn in a man of the match performance – what else would you expect?……….. and celebrate the debuts of two exciting new talents.
The king is dead, long live the king!