Sheppey Rugby Club are entering their 130th season and with it their first female president.

Linda Neal succeeds Gerry Lawson in the post following his retirement from the club after 58 years of service in a number of positions.

The new president has worked her way up from watching her sons and late husband Dave Neal from the sidelines, to pitchside medic and onto the club’s committee.

From health and safety advisor came the role of secretary - initially on a temporary basis after the sudden death of Charlie Neville. She has also worked with the Kent County RFU and received a long-service award last year.

Following her prestigious appointment, Mrs Neal said: “I was very flattered and surprised to be asked to take on this role and even more surprised that there were no other nominations.

“It is a great honour and it is my intention to support all the sections of the club wherever possible and to represent the club to the best of my ability.”

Her sons Peter and Roger played for the club along with husband Dave and she said: “My getting involved originally was more a case of ‘if you can’t beat them join them’ and my first venture was providing pitch-side first aid through the St John Ambulance and that propelled me onto the committee.”

She was on the East Kent Junior League Committee before being promoted to run the prestigious Invicta League from the late John Carley, and joined the county adult playing sub-committee.

Sheppey are one of the oldest clubs in the county and Mrs Neal added: “It is a very great privilege to be at the helm for this momentous year. There is a great team spirit within all the sections of the club, from the minis and juniors, the SAS, the very new and enthusiastic ladies to the senior sides and it would be great if we could reinstate the veterans’ side.

“Our very green, young side of a couple of years ago are maturing and our coaching team have high hopes for a successful season.

“The club is very much family orientated and we welcome any new recruits from age five to whatever age you feel able to contribute - on and off the field.”

Her appointment was made at a well-attended general meeting at the end of July where chairman Charlie Osmond paid tribute to their outgoing president, Mr Lawson, known to many as ‘the colonel’ for his long association with the club and his efforts and support both on and off the field.

The club said Mrs Neal’s appointment was fitting, saying: “With the growing popularity in ladies’ rugby at the club over the past year it seems even more fitting to have a woman at the helm.”

Sheppey members, meanwhile, were asked to vote on a proposed club badge change but the vote went overwhelming in favour of keeping the existing logo.

During the same meeting treasurer Daren Chandler shared “a very healthy set of accounts” say the club, and thanked the bar team for a record-breaking season of takings as well as thanking all the Bonfire Night helpers for an incredible evening of business.

Adult training has started on a Wednesday evening and new recruits, male and female, are welcome to give rugby a try.