This week we have club stalwart, Keith 'KD' Davis for our Meet a Member profile. KD has been involved with the club for many years and was Club President from 2006 to 2009.

Name: Keith Davis

Position: "I played centre at first then moved to fullback."

How many years at Penrith RUFC: "I'm a Penrith lad and first watched them play on the old Foundry Field pitch back in the late 1950`s - largely because my old QEGS P.E teacher, Brian McVey, was playing for Penrith RUFC 1st XV team. I did have one or two games for an early colts team but I'd joined the Police Cadets in 1962 and was playing for them (the Police played on Saturdays then and only changed to Wednesdays in the late sixties).

I moved to Kendal in 1966 and played for them when the Police weren't playing. I then moved to Keswick in 1977 and played for them until moving back to Penrith in 1979 and played for Penrith RUFC. I played for the 1st XV team under Tom Hurst and Tony I`Anson, then I captained the 2nd XV team for a couple of seasons until I retired from playing around 1983.

After that I became a team selector then Chairman of Selectors (an unenviable job). Then I was Club Secretary around 1988. I was heavily involved in the negotiatons for National Lottery funding which led to the building of the new clubhouse in the mid 90's. I had the honour to be elected President of the Club in 2006 - 2009 and Life Member thereafter.

During my Presidency and up to a year ago I took great pleasure in looking after the pitches and grounds of the club, greatly assisted by Dave Potts who now carries out this role to a high standard."

What does he love most about Penrith RUFC: "It might seem strange but what I MOST like is the location. The views from the Sponsors Lounge window over the Lakeland fells are spectacular. On a more practical level in one sense we are an "old style" rugby club where we continue the tradition of welcoming our opponents and treating them as guests. There are still a few clubs within our sphere of operation that continue this style but they are the exception rather than the rule. On the other hand we are also a Monday to Friday business not connected to sport. I very much admire the way we operate internally. Our management structure has changed over the years - as it has to given our need to run the club in a businesslike way - but the Board Members, Club Manager and others, mainly volunteers, involved with the various aspects of the club, treat each other with respect sets a great example, which in turn leads to a good atmosphere.

What does he want to see Penrith RUFC achieve in the next season of rugby: "On the playing side I would like our Club to continue as they are now. The junior and youth sections are quite outstanding with experienced former players, and others, fostering great attitudes from both boys and girls. The senior section needs some tweaking particularly the A XV. The 1st XV is well coached and managed and I see no need for huge change."

What is his fondest memory of Penrith RUFC: "I have a number of fond memories including our lottery success leading to the new clubhouse but the one I look back on with a smile concerns our annual Boxing Day/New years Day match against Keswick. It was the 1978/79 match. I was playing for Keswick at full back and my great friend Keith (Fred) Dewis was playing full back for Penrith. The then England winger - Peter Warfield, a student at Oxford, was staying with the Hodgson family in Keswick and guested for us (Keswick). Late on in the game he broke out of our 22 and found himself with only Fred to beat. He could have gone around him but chose to go through him.... big mistake. Fred didn`t just tackle him, he picked him up and brought him backwards... perfectly legally and quite priceless."