This week we've got our future President as our Monday member profile! Charles has been involved with the club for many years and plays a huge role behind the scenes as a Director for the club. Hope you're ready for a good read!

Name: Charles Graves

Playing Positions: "As a player, I initially started at Number 8 at school (UCC and QEGS), but when I started senior rugby I realised that I was too tall for the front row and too slow for back row, so the only realistic place for me to play was in the second row. Have been known to have an odd run out at Fly Half – and I can assure you it was very odd!"

Current Position: Charles is currently a Director of the Club, having been a committee member for 12 years or so.

How many years have you been at Penrith RUFC?: "I started playing for the Club in the 1974/75 season, beginning in the 3rd team, and gradually moving through the ranks over time. My first 1st XV game was on Easter Saturday 1975 at the grand old age of 16 (imagine that happening these days). It was as a fill in, to make the numbers up to 13 for an away trip to Upper Wharfedale.

No leagues in those days, it was just a friendly. They were one of the top teams in the North at that time and I remember that their team included recent RFU President and former England international John Spencer. Despite being ahead at half time we ended up on the wrong end of a good drubbing – maybe it was the pint we had on the way to the match that made all the difference.

I went on to play for the club until the end of the 1984/85 season when work took me to West Cumbria and I moved to Aspatria RUFC to play. I returned in 1989 and played my last game at the end of the 90/91 season when I moved to the North East to live and work."

What is your fondest rugby memory?: "I have many fond memories from my rugby career, but I suppose I should stick to those that relate to playing rather than socialising! Firstly, to have the opportunity to represent my town at the sport that I've grown to love was a great honour, and something that we should all strive to do – in my opinion the team ethos of rugby is second to none and it is truly a sport where there is "no I in team". We all know how much we rely on our team-mates once we're on that pitch.

Progressing to a regular place in the 1st XV was an aim that I managed to achieve and I can only hope that all of you that pull on the myrtle green and white shirt will make that your rugby aim for the future.

The County Cup Final in 1985 turned out to be my last game before moving to Aspatria and was the pinnacle of my time at PRUFC. It was the first time the Club had been in that position since winning its only County Cup in 1960. Having beaten the mighty Kendal in the semi-final we led perennial County Cup winners Aspatria 9-0 at half time, only to be eventually beaten 18-9, due to the kicking of Tommy Borthwick and line-out jumping (without any lifting of course) of Fred Story. We gave them a run for their money but just fell short in the end.

When I gained my County Cap in the 1987/88 season I was proud as punch and I remember one particular game against Lancashire at Orrell against such rugby giants as Wade Dooley, Dave Cusani and Dewi Morris (all England Internationals of their time). But we had our own "giant" in the shape of Graham Robertson, who wasn't a bad man to have on your side in any battle. It ended up as a 21-21 draw – sounds like a tight game, but not from a forwards perspective. They absolutely marmalised us up front and scored four tries – we only managed to score through the boot of David Pears (who was eventually to play for England), who managed to slot over seven penalties!

By far my most exciting and hugely anticipated game was when I was fortunate to play against Wasps in January 1988 in what was then the 3rd round of National Knock Out Cup, the "John Player Cup". Their team included seven England Internationals (plus one on the bench) and the whole day was just a fantastic experience. The weather was horrendous, having been snowing on and off for the week before – but the huge efforts of many people meant the match could go ahead. The pitch was certainly a leveller, and yes, we lost 6-13, but we were so close. It's days like these that we all play rugby for.

Throughout the 80's I also enjoyed many Wednesday afternoon's playing for my employer, NatWest, in the North Region team that drew players from Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. We played other Banks, Police Forces, major corporates, etc. and were lucky enough to tour places as far afield as Plymouth, Edinburgh and Jersey. With many players of a good standard to choose from, we were fortunate to be involved in the Bank's annual Knock Cup final on a number of occasions, and managed to win the competition three times during those years.

My proudest memory will always be when, on Boxing Day 2017, I was able to play rugby with my son, Thomas, after having not pulled on a pair of boots in anger for a quarter of a century. I loved every second of it and managed to get away without any injuries. We've played together since and I look forward to doing so again during the 2020/21 season."

What do you love most about Penrith RUFC?: "The whole emphasis on bringing every single player/coach/manager/parent in every single team under the PRUFC umbrella. It is so fulfilling and encouraging to know that each and everyone of them is proud to represent the Club and promote the whole ethos of our wonderful rugby family. But this doesn't just happen, and we should all be extremely grateful to those that have gone before us and set the firm foundations for this Club, which we all now need to continue to develop for the benefit of all those that are coming through behind us and in the future."

What would you love to see Penrith achieve in the next season of rugby?: "The league structure continues to change on what seems to be a regular basis, with there being what appear to be significant differences in the quality of rugby between each league. Other local teams have found this to their detriment in recent times. My wish for Penrith RUFC is for us to remain at least at this level for the foreseeable future, and to be in a sound enough position to challenge for promotion when we have the opportunity. The quality of rugby that we are currently playing is at a high standard and enjoyed by all involved, and to be able to continue in this vein, with a sound financial base would be my hope for the Club. I very much look forward to helping the Club achieve this goal in the years to come and especially from September when I start my 3 year term as President."