Tribute: Mick Scott

Richard Gore pays tribute to Mick Scott

Mick Scott passed away last Wednesday 8 April aged 90.

He was one of our best supporters having seen most games for the last thirty three years. He was very knowledgeable about rugby and watched games intently, assessing players and situations and he was always well worth listening to on his thoughts about any game he was watching.

This would come as no surprise to those who knew Mick and his rugby heritage. He began his lifelong love of the game when he started playing rugby at his school, Hymers College, when he was eleven years old. His natural talent, allied to some good coaching, saw him picked for the school teams very quickly and he played in the school First XV at the young age of 15 years old which was very uncommon. Despite this early rise in the ranks his game as an off half was not complete and he was advised by the headmaster at the time to work on being able to kick with his left foot as well as his right. The headmaster even stayed behind after one game to help Mick hone this skill which stood him in good stead as he moved into adult rugby.

Mick left school at just sixteen, although academically he was destined for university, family finances dictated otherwise.

His talent did not go unnoticed and he was asked to play for Hull & East Riding RUFC, a club with a very strong heritage which was on the verge of becoming one of the best sides in the North of England. However after playing just one game for Riding Mick received a call from the President of the Old Hymerians rugby club who advised him where he thought his loyalties should lie. Mick saw his point and joined the Old Hymerians club starting a journey that took him to the Yorkshire Cup final in 1959.

Mick played at off half and whilst he possessed the handling and kicking skills to make the position his own he also relished the physical side of the game which enabled him to move into the back row later in his career where tackling was a key element.

The Yorkshire Cup final in 1959 against West Leeds Old Boys was a highlight of his playing career when he helped steer the side to victory against a team that had won the trophy themselves two years earlier.

The Old Hymerians team was a very good team and several players were spotted by bigger clubs and asked to move. Captain and second row player David Blake moved to Headingley RUFC, arguably one of the best clubs in the country, and eventually captained them and Yorkshire whilst David Doyle-Davidson was signed by Hull RLFC where he played rugby league for over a decade. Mick was also approached by a professional rugby league club but, maybe listening to the words of his president, he stayed with Old Hymerians playing a key part in the club’s progression until 1970 when he moved to the Stockton area with his job. He briefly played for Stockton RFC and then became their coach.

Mick recalled one occasion when he had finished playing when he received a call from Old Hymerians asking if he could turn out for the Third XV at the weekend. As he was always willing to help out Mick duly agreed, only to find out that the fixture was against his own club Stockton. Having given his word Mick played and during the game he was approached by the Stockton captain who said “Don’t I know you from somewhere ?”. Mick replied “You should do, I am your club coach and if you trained a bit more you might have recognised me a bit sooner !”

Mick was a devoted and proud family man and had growing responsibilities in his job. He eventually had to give up coaching but his winter Saturdays were never complete without his rugby fix. He supported the Old Hymerians club and then Hull RUFC when his Old Boys club merged with their old rivals Hull & East Riding in 1992.

Mick was a real student of the game and, along with his lifelong friends Stuart Saunt and Don Robson, he would watch the games with them, helping to guide the referee when he made an error.

On Saturday at Otley Mick’s daughter Alison and her husband Ian attended the match to honour his memory. The Hull win a fitting tribute to a great rugby man.

As a player, coach and supporter Mick was always very much liked and he will be very much missed.

His Funeral will be held on Tuesday 28th April at 11:30, Hambleton Crematorium Maple Park, YO7 4SA