As the co-founder and “grandfather” of Reading West Indians RUFC who uniquely inspired several generations of black rugby players throughout Berkshire (including his younger brothers journey to Harlequins).
I had a chat with Joe Bell on his own start in rugby and his memories as the co-founder of Reading West Indians as well as both playing and coaching at Redingensians (now Rams) over the years.
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING RUGBY?
JB – I did not start playing club rugby until around 1973. Myself and Ken (Hinds) were apprentices at Adwest in Woodley and one of our co-workers had continually urged us to play. Eventually Ken and I jumped on a bus and actually missed our stop. We got off at the Redingensians stop and walked into the club. In those days there was a 1st XV ONLY bar which no one was allowed to go into. I said to Ken that we would not be pushed around so we walked in and the bar went quiet. We did not budge and after what we thought was a few minutes (but more likely seconds) we were approached and welcomed by a young man who we eventually found out was Gareth Rees who was a local solicitor and established first team player. This welcome ensured that we stayed and the rest as they say is history.
HOW LONG DID YOU PLAY AT REDINGENSIANS?
JB – I was at Redingensians as a player for over 30 years (playing through the club into the 1st team) and then as coach for five years from U14’s through to U18’s (Colts) along with Ken Hinds for several years. During our time running the colts several boys came through I remember including Ian Armstrong and James Warren who went on to represent Reading RFC in the higher national leagues as well as Seb Reynolds who is the current Rams Director of Rugby.
WHAT ARE YOU FONDEST MEMORIES IN RUGBY?
JB – I think the co-founding of the Reading West Indians will always be a highlight and the many years we ran the side and became a formal member of the RFU (see below) and culminating in the successes and the Caribbean tour. Also the amount of players who played for Reading West Indians over they years as our reputation and expansive rugby style grew . The way we played and the absolute camaraderie across the team. I even come across players today who approach me and say “… you never did ask me to play and I so wanted to..”
CAPTAIN OF REDNGENSIANS (NOW RAMS)
I also captained the Redingensians (now Rams) the 2nd team for a full season but was also captain of the 1st XV on several occasions. I recall specifically a match was when we played against the celebrated Westpoint Military Academy, Washington USA. Despite being clearly outmuscled for many periods we came away with a 12-0 victory in a hard fought match in which I managed to score one in the corner. What was so typical of the time and reflected in the relationship between Redingensians (now Rams) and Reading West Indians RUFC was that we actually played in the RWI kit. This was a common occurrence and one that provided payback for when we used to wear the Redingensians kit on a Sunday before we obtained our own.
Finally most players appreciate their loyalty being reciprocated by their clubs and mine was rewarded in 1985/86 season when I received my Honours Cap as well as VP ad Life Member for which I am immensely proud of.
WHAT IS YOUR GO TO ON FIELD PLAYING HIGHLIGHT?
I typically played wing or fullback and but was not known as the best kicker and would invariably run it given half a chance. On this occasion I was playing on the main pitch for Redingensians against Aylesbury and losing by a point with minutes to go and for some reason the ball came to me in the middle of the park just inside the opposition half. Instead of my first thought of running, for some strange reason for a non-kicker I had the urge to attempt a drop-kick. I have never attempted such a kick again in my playing days but it actually connected and sailed between the posts for the win while my team mates looked at me in utter amazement. It was a moment that I savour to this day and more than the many tries I scored. Rest assured we had a great evening celebrating.
DID YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY MOMENTS?
JB – well actually I remember once being at the club and seeing a player in training and thinking I should introduce myself and welcome him. I approached him from behind and said “Hi I am Joe, What island are you from?” He turned around and said “Sicily”. Clearly I had not impressed him given that he was Italian and not from the Caribbean at all.
With the Reading West Indians in the early years we would often have players who dropped out from getting injured on the Saturday so sometimes would turn up with 13 players. The opposition would lend us players some so we could both start with 15 players. After a period (when were up by 20-30 points) they would take their players back so we would go down to 13 to level out the match. It always made us smile but it was also a massive backhanded compliment.
WHO WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE PLAYER THAT YOU REMEMBER PLAYING WITH?
JB – Many of the players who played with Reading West Indians RUFC were multi-sportsmen who played football, cricket and rugby some even athletics but one that I remember vividly was Andy Alleyne. He actually played football for Reading FC as full-back. He played 53 times for Reading between 1972 to 1975 having been an academy player from 1967-69. He was eventually selected for the first team against League leaders, Southport, on 21 October 1972. His debut was celebrated among Reading’s Afro-Caribbean community as the first black player to appear in the Royals’ first team. Andy Alleyne Reading Footballer
It was such a delight when his footballing finished that he wanted to to come and turn out for the Reading West Indians. His step and pace was unforgettable and so clearly a very talented sportsman.
Reading FC 1972
FINALLY, WHAT WERE YOUR PROUDEST MOMENTS?
JB – The fact that not only did get to play but rugby but that I got to play with not only one but three of my brothers (three of which also played at Redingensians). Michael “Micky” Bell (Abbey, Berkshire, Harlequins and London Welsh), Tim Bell (Redingensians, Berkshire Harlequins, Bayonne, Reading and Reading West Indians), Tadias Bell (Redingensians, Reading West Indians). I was also so very proud to have played in the same side as my son JJ Bell who went onto represent Redingensians for many years. In our first game in the 1st XV together I even had the honour of passing the ball (with him shouting “dad pass me the ball” to give him his first try which will stay with me forever which was more . It caused some confusion and astonishment on the oppositions faces.
Eventually, we also managed to get five (5) members of the Bell family on the pitch during matches for Reading West Indians.
Look out for the final stories relating to celebrate Black History Month #BHM
