Roger Spurrell with his sons David and Neal

ROGER SPURRELL epitomised the spirit of Bath during an era of unheralded success in English club rugby.

Spurrell's arrival at The Rec in 1979 virtually coincided with Jack Rowell moving down from Gosforth. Rowell, now back at Bath for his second spell, immediately recognised the former Paratrooper's qualities and installed him as club captain. The blonde bombshell flanker was an archetypal leader on and off the pitch and was always ready for a battle. Indeed, Spurrell was no stranger to bloodshed, whether it be his own or an opponents on the pitch. Claret also used to flow at his now defunct nightclub 'Bog Island', as it was affectionately known by locals following its' conversion from public underground convenience to club. To precocious underage drinkers the door policy was not one to mess with. What other establishment could boast at the time a security staff of Gareth Chilcott, Damien Cronin and Jeremy Guscott?

Spurrell skippered Bath to their first ever piece of national silverware in 1984 after a narrow fought victory over arch-rivals Bristol. The 10-9 win was then followed by a comfortable success over London Welsh, a victory celebrated with The Exiles' bald winger Clive Rees in Amsterdam.
   

These triumphs set the trend for Bath fans in the 1980's as the Roman City emptied for the now annual trip down the M4 to Twickenham. The match though that sticks in Spurrell's mind was a friendly!

Games against the top Welsh sides were the big draw back then and Spurrell fondly remembers a one point success at home to the biggest draw of them all at the time, Cardiff.

"The match attracted the biggest crowd ever seen at The Rec," Spurrell recalled.

"There were a lot more than 14,000 in the ground and the gate-man gave up trying to stop the hordes getting through. I scored a try in the corner and Bob Norster jumped up and down on me. The referee gave a penalty from the re-start from which we scored."

When Spurrell first arrived in Bath he started what must be one of the most colourful curriculum vitaes of any rugby player around. Preceding his Bath career Spurrell arrived in the city as a shepherd and when he decided to hang up his boots people flocked to his regular raves at 'Universe.'

Spurrell threw himself into his new venture with relish winning the prestigious 'MixMag' industry award. He readily admits, however, that the lifestyle was not condusive to business success. "I got too into the rave scene. We ended up going to San Francisco and turned over one million pounds in one particular month. It got wild and we ended up bankrupt.

Never one to toe the line, Spurrell admits he would never have become involved in professional rugby union. "I don't miss playing. I would not have been able to conform as much as they have to," he said. He probably would not have been able to mix in royal circles either.

 In 1995 he converted an old cafe in Polzeath, Cornwall, regarded as 'Kensington-on-Sea' for its affluence, into 'Finns Cafe.' Prince William has even dined on the terrace.  The restaurant's success has led to another eatery being opened in Newquay. Spurrell senior is consultant to his two sons, David and Neal, who manage the establishment overlooking the town's harbour.

While the second-in-line to the throne has been a customer, the two restaurants are anything but exclusive in terms of clientele.
Roger's son Neal says all are welcome: "Finns is an eating experience which anyone can enjoy at anytime. Turn up in your wellies or wetsuit, sit back, relax and eat great food."     Finns is open for breakfast, coffee, lunch, cream teas and evening meals.

by Jon Newcombe for Bath Rugby