Charity game for John Ryan (From Times Series)

Charity game for John Ryan

3:24pm Wednesday 1st September 2010 in

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Hendon RFC held a charity match in honour of head coach and former captain John Ryan, who has Motor Neurone Disease.

The John Ryan XV came up against a North London President's XV on Sunday, in support of the John Ryan Trust and the Motor Neurone Trust Fund.

It was a game with a difference and attracted many Hendon past and present players.

Ryan, still an active member of Hendon RFC, as coaching consultant and fund-raising secretary, has captained the club on a number of occasions.

He became club coach in 2000/01 and again in 2009/10.

In the special programme for the day, organised by trustees Alan Graham and David Lynch, Hendon's Nick Lovett referred to Ryan as 'Mr Hendon' and used the word 'quality' to sum up his achievements.

The match itself was a true testament to the game of rugby, with most players coming out of retirement to demonstrate that they still had plenty of spirit.

The North London side was organised and captained by Phil Todd (Finchley) with other players from Harrow, Old Kingsburians, Mill Hill and Finchley.

Word of the game 'crossed the Thames', as players who knew Ryan turned up from Battersea to join in.

North London won the match 17-5.