Winston Forgie – the great Bromley Rugby Club legend
Winston joined the juniors at Bromley in the late 1970’s/early ‘80s. It was clear that he was a special talent from the first time he took to the pitch. He made his first team debut at the early age of 18 and remained a stalwart of the club, playing well into his forties, still in the 1st XV.
Winston was a great athlete and started his rugby career at blindside in the back row, where he learnt his craft. He was an excellent line out forward, not surprising given his height, and a destructive tackler. In the early days his handling left something to be desired, probably on account of his enthusiasm and desire to score but this developed as his career progressed. He will always be remembered with great fondness for his feats on the field from his early days as a raw talent playing alongside some more experienced old hands until his final playing as the rock in the second row playing alongside the next and more successful generation of Bromley’s young stars.
He, of course, was not only legendary on the field but also off it. His singing in the post match celebrations, win or lose, will remain long in the memory of those, who played with him and against him. His renditions of “Ol’ man river, New York, New York and I did it my way” will remain forever in Bromley rugby club’s folklore. Only recently did I hear “my way” on the radio and a tear came to my eye as Winston and all those memories of him came flooding back.
Winston has been taken from this world all too soon but we must cherish the memories we have of him and re-live in our minds all those wonderful times we shared with the big man.
Winston, you may have gone from this world but you will live on forever in our hearts and the history of Bromley Rugby Club.
Detail of his funeral are below:
