Dennis Littlejohn was 1st XV skipper (Pete Duff Club Captain) for the 1993-94 season which was another eventful one in the club’s history. Before the season started it was announced that Bill Annandale would be retiring at the end of August. Over his years at the club his role as Bar Chairman had grown such that his shoes were big ones to fill. In stepped Terry and Joan Hills who were already very familiar with the club and took to the job as if they’d been doing it all their lives.
After successive promotion and relegation The Chiefs were keen to consolidate and that is what they did with a mid table finish in the 12-team Devon 2, including victories over Tamar Saracens and St Columba. The league had started off with 14 teams but both Plympton and Victoria withdrew to form a new side during the season. Argaum had contact with both clubs and were to benefit from an influx of players from them (notably ‘Whisky’ Walker this term) in the next season or so. Argaum were themselves to lose players to other clubs with previous captain Steve Mole using what became a well trodden path to Civil Service’s Beacon Down. Coach Ron Boyd praised the increase commitment of the young squad but suggested that they lacked experience in key areas. With league fixtures still only a single-venue arrangement there were plenty of friendlies and winger Phil Morgan touched down twice in the 34-12 victory over Torquay Quins in March.
Si Poole’s Tigers also produced some good performances during the season but were deprived of their usual Ellis Cup adventures as the club had (somewhat inexplicably) withdrawn from the Plymouth Combination at the start of the season. Investigations were made into joining a similar organisation in the South Hams. In the Autumn there was an unsavoury incident in one match which resulted in Argaum player Chris Sillitoe receiving a horrific injury. The matter was pursued outside of the normal rugby disciplinary process and attracted quite a bit of press attention. The more pleasing side of rugby was shown when Services’s players aided hooker Ian Ramsey after he had received a nasty head injury.
There was little progress on The Colts but an event was held with Southway School – a 6th form disco – where apparently the noise after the event’was unacceptable’ – some achievement at Argaum! The social scene flourished with plenty of willing volunteers for running events such that a sub-committee, including Andy Critchley, was formed. One of the most successful events was a VPs evening, organised by Chairman Brian Willcocks and attended by the Lord Mayor.
There was quite a bit of administration with other teams using Bickleigh Down. Plymouth Police, Marjons and OPM were all utilising the clubhouse, the latter perhaps abusing the hospitality a little by signing some Argaum players! The common theme was that they all needed regular chasing for payment.
It wasn’t just union; Underhills football team were also playing on the fields – soon to be replaced by a team from Fine Tubes. Rugby League was also still a feature with a new team Stonehouse Saints playing on a Sunday morning. Unlike previous incarnations this side featured a number of Argaum players and probably benefited both codes with the additional fitness gained. The only stipulation was that the Sunday morning union matches, still thriving, would take precedence over the 13 man game.
With all these activities there was pressure on the club’s facilities, so to help an agreement was made with the tenant of the small field opposite the club. The idea was to use this for additional parking but it also became ideal for pre-match warm-ups, instead of the long trek to the pitches.
At the AGM, treasurer Ian Ramsay stressed that the club was still struggling financially despite all the events taking place during the season. Evidently the ongoing repairs and continual upkeep of the clubhouse and pitches was a drain on resources. A possible return to the Plymouth Combination was also discussed and a proposal to call the Rugby League team ‘Plymouth Argaum’ rejected. Ceri Critten was elected President after Bill Hitchins decision to stand down.
The Dinner and Dance was held at The Imperial Suite where the following awards were made: Tommy Cooper (Captains Trophy), Martyn Walker (Player’s Player), Lee McDowell (Effort) and Si Poole (Clubman).
