RAMS’ longest-serving player James Baker has admitted he could never have imagined his side would be hosting a National One Friday Night Lights encounter ahead of this week’s clash with local rivals Chinnor when he first joined way back in 2004.
The legendary tight-head prop, who has more than 350 first-team caps and enjoyed four promotions as Rams have climbed from Southern Counties South to Level Three, is still going strong as he gets set for what should be an incredible evening.
Reminiscing on his time at Old Bath Road, Baker stated: “It’s been a whirlwind – I’ve been lucky to be here for some of the best times the club has had with all the promotions.
“We’ve had some great victories, some bitter losses, and it’s been amazing being with the team through all of it.
“Back at the start we had quite a young side with potential, but who would have thought all these years later we’d get to National One.
“A lot of the boys from back when we were in Southern Counties aren’t playing any more – I was the youngest then and now I’m the oldest so I’m very proud of that. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
Looking back, Baker – named in the National Two South Team of the Season in the title-winning campaign of 2018/19 – said there has been an evolution in training methods and is amazed at the club’s off-field progress as well.
He continued: “I believe the training was actually harder at the start – there wasn’t the same understanding there is now.
“Back then everyone thought ‘beast them and they’ll get better’, but now it’s a bit more technical and specific to positions, and that helps more than just beasting everyone every week – you’re fresher for the games.
“It’s also hard to believe with the clubhouse and facilities we have now, what it used to be like – it used to be a shack!
“A lot of teams who’d visit complained about how bad the facilities were, how bad the showers were, but it’s 100 per cent better now – it’s great.”
Baker was also quick to point out the on-field continuity at the club, with special praise for the skipper.
He beamed: “Robbie (Stapley)’s a great guy whose only a couple of seasons behind how long I’ve played – he’s always been an inspirational leader in the team.
“I used to play with some of the coaches like Paddy (Conlon), Seb (Reynolds) and Owen (Root) and they’re all still at the club, so that’s fantastic.”
Having scored 47 tries during his time at the club – and contributed to countless penalty tries – Baker has a target and also recalls his greatest effort fondly, as well as his favourite memory.
“I’ll definitely get to 50!,” he grinned.
“The most memorable one is from quite a few years ago and no-one believes me, but I ran from our own five-metre line at Newton Abbot to score at their end with an interception.
“It was quite a thing to behold and was probably more luck than anything – I think I was just in the right place – and it must have been quite a sight to see a prop running down the wing.
“I remember our last promotion (as National Two South champions) the most, because we had so many people around and a big celebration.”
There are hopes a record-breaking Old Bath Road crowd could attend Friday night, so to ensure smooth access to the ground, supporters are urged to pre-book tickets via the Rams website – www.ramsrugby.com
By Richard Ashton
