The mere suggestion that Catt was simply lucky with concussion is alarming in itself. The dawn of professionalism was a wild leap into the unknown, with Catt becoming rugby union’s first full-time professional player in 1995 when he decided to pack in his job in a newsagents earning £8,000 per year.
I think he worked for Malcolm Pierce at the time, which was a newsagents business. But it was a chain and also wholesaler, not – I don’t think at least – him working behind a counter. Malcolm also supported Bath substantially in those days, only switched over to Bristol when he wasn’t able to buy Bath a little later. Also, he wouldn’t have been able to rent Granny’s flat (after she’d gone, obvs) on the wages from being behind a counter. There was some other money coming in at the time as well…..
Malcolm Pierce, one of Bath’s backers at the time, employed the club’s players in various roles. Catt would be up at 2am in the morning to stack newspapers and then deliver them to the shops, before heading off to training.
Quite.
I remember a local news story about a New Zealander coming to Northampton and talking to my boss at the time who said “what, do you think he’s coming over to work in an engineering company” (my memory is hazy on what company). The implication being he was being paid to train, but you had to pretend he had a job.
Like a lot of Olympic athletes were in the military or the police in many countries back then. Not professional, no siree. Just captains in the army who could spend all their time competing.
“Like a lot of Olympic athletes were in the military or the police in many countries back then.”
Still the case for most “lower tier” sports in many countries
Football or basketball in American colleges have the same system. Supposedly they’re students, in reality it’s a cover.
When there’s enough money this is the case.
And for Catt to coach for the first time in a country where rugby is not only the clear number one sport, but an obsession.
Excuse me, Aussie Rules? Played all over the country?
Fine, I’m a Victorian, I’ll see myself out.
He’s going to Fiji….
Oh. Yes. I’m claiming brain fog from working way too many nights over the last few weeks.
Catt would be up at 2am in the morning
When is 2am not in the morning?
Just asking for a friend……
‘Where is 2am not in the morning?’ would be the question.
There are time zones that span four or five hours relative to local solar time.
You can see 2am from either side. If you’re still awake from the day before I don’t think it counts as “in the morning”.
Saw him playing at the Madjeski stadium when I had a season ticket for the Irish.
Catt was crap.
Watching Lomu steam roller over him in the 95 WC SF was a joy to behold
£8k pa was not very good money in 1995 – specially in Bath.