Age hits us all at some point in our lives, but there are some among us who refuse to let it stop us. Enter Alan Goggin: a man who spent his 77th birthday doing what he loves most—playing rugby in the front row for Colchester Roman Ruins. Not just against any team, but in a charity match against the Wooden Spoon Eastern Counties team. Alan’s story is proof that age is just a number if you listen to your heart instead of your creaky knees.
It was a day filled with camaraderie, laughter, and plenty of mud as Alan took his place on the pitch, embodying his philosophy of “have boots, will travel—even if it’s just for 10 minutes!” While many of us might be tempted to put our feet up at 77, Alan was lacing his up, showing that his love for rugby and life’s adventures remains undiminished.
A Life of Giving Back
Alan’s passion for rugby is only part of his incredible journey. Much of his life has been spent serving his community, a philosophy he applies both on and off the pitch. Whether through his work on the local council, organising community events, or supporting charities, Alan has always been about taking part. One of his greatest passions is helping children with special needs, inspired in part by his wife Mary’s 53-year career at Marketfields School in Elmstead. Together, they’ve championed causes like setting up a 20-acre farm for students to learn valuable skills and open doors to employment opportunities. As Alan points out, “Only 5% of children with special needs actually get jobs,” a statistic he is determined to improve.
An Adventurous Spirit
Alan’s rugby story is only one chapter in a life packed with adventures. Before taking up the oval ball, Alan excelled as a barefoot water skier, competing at a high level around the world. His athleticism clearly runs in the family—both his sons, Ben and Luke, have competed in water skiing too, with Ben reaching World Championship level and Luke excelling at the European level. Even when Alan transitioned to rugby, his adventurous spirit continued to shine. After moving to Colchester for work in the insurance industry, he played rugby during the off-season and quickly fell in love with the game.
Although he started as a centre, a Boxing Day game against Harwich introduced him to the “dark arts” of scrummaging when he was asked to play tighthead prop. These days, Alan plays for Colchester’s 4ths—and occasionally lines up alongside his son Ben, an outstanding player and coach, who was named Players’ Player last season. Alan’s pride in his family shines brightly when he talks about his grandchildren, from his gymnastic star Grace to his grandsons who he dreams of seeing on the rugby field—perhaps even alongside their granddad one day!
A Special Day for Rugby and Charity
Alan’s birthday match wasn’t just about the game—it was also about giving back. The Wooden Spoon Eastern Counties charity team is part of the incredible Wooden Spoon charity, which funds life-changing projects for disadvantaged and disabled children across the UK and Ireland. With 107 projects funded last year alone, they are making a massive difference in young lives. Events like the charity match raise vital funds, and the day’s efforts contributed over £500 to the cause, proving that rugby’s community spirit is alive and thriving.
It was a true team effort, with players braving torrential rain to make it to Colchester, only to be greeted by bright sunshine for kick-off. The game itself was played in great spirits, with plenty of laughs and some spectacular moments on the pitch. While the final score saw the Kings team take the win (29-46), the real victory was the money raised and the memories made. A huge thank you to Beanstalk Media for capturing the day with some fantastic photos and to Maggie Whiteman for sharing all the behind-the-scenes information that brought this story to life.
Alan’s Legacy
As Alan says, he’ll keep playing “as long as I’m good enough,” and if his passion is anything to go by, we can expect to see him on the pitch for years to come. His determination, sense of fun, and devotion to rugby and community are an inspiration to us all. Let’s hope one day he’ll get his wish to play alongside his grandsons—what a sight that would be!
Alan Goggin reminds us all that life is about taking part, giving back, and never letting age define what we can do. Here’s to many more games, Alan, and to the incredible example you set for all of us!
