ARTHUR Bowden joined Salisbury RFC in 1946, before being selected for the Dorset & Wiltshire Twin Counties side in 1948 at full back. He would also go onto play in the County Championship, wear the famous Harlequins shirt, and play for Peterhouse college of the University of Cambridge.

72 years later, and after a variety of roles within the game, Arthur, 90, is finally retiring. Last week, he received a citation from the RFU President John Spencer, thanking him for his commitment to rugby union, since he first pulled a Dorset & Wilts shirt in 1948.

Arthur said: “I may be 90, but my rather earthy brain is still functioning well. I can finally sit down and do a crossword without having to worry about making notes from all these meetings.”

He first became a rugby administrator with Salisbury RFC in 1956, and later became club chairman, a role he held for nine years.

Arthur is also an honorary life vice-president of the Dorset & Wilts Rugby Football Union which he first joined in 1966, representing Wiltshire Clubs, of which he has been a member for a record 52 years.

He then served as assistant honorary general secretary from 1968 to 1975 and then as an “outstanding” honorary general secretary from 1975-1979 and 1985-2007, another record total of 27 years.

Finally, Arthur served as president of Dorset & Wilts RFU twice, firstly from 1981-1983 and secondly from 2005-2007. Arthur was also a teacher at Bishop Wordsworth’s for many years.

When asked about his playing career, Arthur said: “The older I get, the better I was. I used to be a mighty atom, but now I’m a knackered neutron.”

Arthur’s work for the game in Dorset & Wilts has always been greatly supported by the support and encouragement of his wife Joyce, helping him to to develop and promote the game for over 50 years.