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You’re never too old to try … or score a few tries either for that matter, just ask Mike Burton.
The Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) president celebrated his 69th birthday in a scrum down in Janabiyah securing him the title as the oldest full-contact player in the Arabian Gulf.
Burton’s Golden Oldies squad of rugby-playing veterans over the age of 35, were out in full force on Friday to help the Silver Fox prove a point or two.
“I believe you are as old as you want to be,” said Burton who started playing the great game at the age of eight. “I meet people who are in their thirties that act older than me; it’s all down to the individual!”
He helped form the Bahrain Golden Oldies team 22 years ago and is still their captain.
The Bahrain Rugby Club Golden Oldies were the first ‘true regular playing veterans’ team in the region, and the various Arabian Gulf Vets leagues and tournaments have followed in their wake.
They have toured the Philippines, Thailand, Holland, Ireland and all the neighbouring states.
The man, best known for his wispy white beard (before he shaved it off for charity recently) and friendly demeanour, was joined by 46 rugby players, including club chairman Mehdi Honar, to form the Saar Golden Oldies team, which he captained, and the Janabiyah Golden Oldies, captained by Andrew Wilkie, the Bahrain Golden Oldies vice-captain.
Some guest players also travelled from Saudi Arabia’s Khobar Rugby Club, Qatar’s Doha Rugby Club and others even came out of retirement to play on Friday.
Burton, who is still on top form, is a true believer that age is nothing but a number. The proprietor, managing director and chief marine surveyor of BMS Bahrain and BMS Marine Services Holding, who lives in Jasra, said: “The game of rugby has evolved since I first started playing, which, of course, was with an old leather ball but I play every game we have if I am in Bahrain and not away on business.
“What I love about rugby is that it’s a hard sport played to win, with no pretence of being hurt or injured to gain an advantage. At the end of the game everyone joins together as friends for a social gathering.
“One can walk into any rugby club in the world as a total stranger, introduce himself or herself and immediately be welcomed. If they are short of a player at the time then you will probably get a run out too!”
At some point in the birthday game, Burton’s wife Lyn, BMS Marine Services director who is long retired from rugby, made a cameo appearance to play for his side for a solid 10 minutes. He was also joined by his son-in-law David Edwards, general manager of Hestons, who has also played for Bahrain’s 1st XV.
The game ended in a 34-34 draw after Burton made everybody play out of their regular positions. He said: “All the regular forwards were in the back and all the backs were in the front. It was good fun and that’s probably what made the score so high – six tries and two conversions for each side.
“There weren’t any serious injuries, just a few pulled muscles, but that’s not what we call hurt in this game!”
Burton was chairman of the BRFC from 1994 to 1996 and his children William, 35, and Louise, 37, have both made appearances for the club. William played for Bahrain’s 1st XV and Louise was captain of the Bahrain Ladies for five years. His two grandchildren also played for the mini sides when they lived in Bahrain.
The entire family formed a seven-a-side touch rugby team for the BRFC’S New Year’s family tournament three years ago.
Next month the Golden Oldies will stage the Bahrain Vets MidNite Tens Tournament, with players coming from as far afield as Holland and the UK to take part.
The only thing missing from the birthday bash was Burton’s beard which he shaved off as part of the Movember madness event to raise awareness about men’s health and cancer issues. He raised a staggering BD2,500 for the cause.
It’s no secret what Burton has in store for his 70th birthday celebrations. He said: “Injuries permitting, playing another game of rugby!”
