Tom takes over chairman’s position at Eaton Park

The new Chairman is Tom Wiggins, and in proposing him to the meeting the outgoing Chairman, Bill Wallace, said: “I am more than happy to be recommending Tom as the Chairman for 2014/2015.

“Not only has he given me unqualified support in his spell as Vice Chairman, but he has almost single handedly brought the Youth Section from a very weak state to the most thriving section in the province.

“For the past number of years he has looked after all the Rugby in the club below the Second XV, and he has raised the profile of the club in the community to an unprecedented level.

“He has taken the lead in a number of important issues throughout the year, and will make an excellent Club Chairman.”

In accepting the Chairmanship, Tom paid tribute to the work of Bill Wallace, and assured the meeting that he would give everything he had to making a success of his year and agreed to carry on with involvement with Community Rugby.

Derek Montgomery, who has made such a success of the corporate and sponsorship side of the club in the past season, and who will still stay with that role, was elected Vice Chairman.

Keith Lamont will continue as Honorary Secretary, with Gareth Fisher as the Assistant Secretary, while Thompson McCullough becomes Honorary Treasurer, assisted by Mike Kerr.

The meeting then elected the Directors of the various sections.

Pete Mackenzie moves into his second year as Director of Adult Rugby, Jack Gibson stays on as Director of Grounds and Property, as does Alan Reynolds with Club Functions and Ken Hutton with Finance.

Bill Wallace takes on responsibility for Communications.

Speaking after the meeting, Tom thanked the Directors who had agreed to carry on with their roles and looked forward to working with them in the new season, which he said would present a new set of challenges as the club returns to Division 1B of the All Ireland League.

Ian McIlrath (Branch Committee) and Barry Bamber (Clubs Committee) will represent the club within the Ulster Branch.

Members elected to the Board of Governors are: Matthew Banks, Rab Brady, Hector Deane, Tom Loughridge, Richard Montgomery and Oliver Smith.