An up-and-under down under for stalwart Ray

Sep 19 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

HE might be 67 but Ray Timson is a strong believer in the old adage that you’re never too old to get involved.

And with that in mind the retired lecturer is jetting off to Australia to scrum down with some of the biggest stars in rugby league.

Billed as the oldest player in Europe, the grandfather-of-two will represent Great Britain in a series of Masters rugby league games across Australia and New Zealand.

Masters Rugby League is new to Britain, but those in New Zealand and Australia have been hard at it for 10 years.

Players aged 35 and over who have retired from club rugby are eligible to play.

Ray’s wife Christine, 62, and his three children, Russell, 37, Robert, 33, and Pamela, 32, will be cheering on their rugby hero.

And they will be glued to the screen alongside his 22-month-old grandchildren, twins Joni and Keira.

Ray said: “We’re playing in places like Manly and Sydney – they are all big rugby locations and I’m so excited.

“I can’t remember the last time I spent more then five hours asleep, I just can’t wait. It’s a four-match tour against international teams.

“It’s so frustrating to have to watch a team play for so long and you’re constantly trying to get on and get involved.