Saracens

Michael Lynagh 1996-98

Michael joined the club at the advent of professionalism in 1996 after retiring from a glittering 12-year international career with Australia as the world record points scorer with 911 and a World Cup Winner (1991).

Michael's arrival at the club was the first major signing after Nigel Wray took control of the club and he acted as a beacon to attract other players and fans alike. After a season of bedding down with his new teammates Michael helped Saracens to have their most successful season to date.

In the 1997/98 season Saracens battled it out with Newcastle for almost the whole season for top spot in the league and when the two sides met in April 1998 Saracens needed to win to stay in touch. In front of a crowd of nearly 20,000 Michael slotted a match winning drop goal in the dying minutes to send Vicarage Road into raptures and create a moment in Saracens history that still brings a lump to the throat of Saracens supporters there on that day.

A month later he was on hand to steer Saracens to their famous Tetley's Bitter Cup 48-18 victory over Wasps at Twickenham bringing the curtain down on a season to remember. Throughout the year Michael's input had been second to none with his accurate kicking, perfectly weighted passing and all round ability to control a game and when he retired from rugby at the end of that season his loss was felt.

Michael will always be remembered at the club for helping to take the club from its humble background to the dizzy heights of being one of the best clubs in the land.

Philippe Sella 1996-98

Philippe joined Saracens in 1996 from French side Agen. He, along with Michael Lynagh, was the catalyst for Saracens as they made the transition into the professional era and his presence helped other players make up their minds about joining the up-and-coming club.

For France Philippe made a World Record 111 appearances, a record recently beaten by Jason Leonard, and is one of the only players to have scored a try in every game during a Five Nations season.

Philippe was the lynch pin in the midfield where he operated alongside stalwart Steve Ravenscroft, a player that will surely be up for nomination for induction soon. His experience, pace and vision helped Saracens to become a potent force in 1998 and his appetite for defence was amazing.

Philippe scored the opening try in the Tetley's Bitter Cup final in the same year, a trademark Sella finish. He showed pace, power and vision to run, swivel and crash over the line with his try then signalling the way for the floodgates to open.

He retired from rugby later that year at the age of 36 and returned to France with his family.

John Steeds 1938 – 1950

• A regular in the Saracens 1st XV in 1938/9
• Following war service with the Royal Navy he rejoined Saracens and played from 1946 –1950
• First capped for England in 1949 (five caps in total)

Anthony Turner 1946 - 1949

• Tony Turner played the odd game for the club during the war between 1942 and 1943
• A regular member of the 1st XV in 1945/46
• Captain for three seasons from 1946/47

Vic Harding 1951 - 1964

• Vic Harding joined Saracens in 1951 as a second row
• Saracens Captain from 1956/57
• In 1958/59 he not only won the first of his three ‘Blues’ at Cambridge but was selected for an England trial, represented the Barbarians and played for Middlesex
• In 1961 he won the first of six caps for England scoring against France

Ken Bartlett 1959 - 1962

• Ken Bartlett joined the Club in February 1959
• Saracens Captain from 1960/61
• He represented not only Dorset and Wilts but also Southern Counties against the Springboks
• 1967 he was appointed as the club’s first official coach

James Wyness 1961-1968

• James Wyness was Saracens Captain from 1962 to 1965
• An inspirational Captain of the 1st XV and with George Sherriff and Ian Player made up a back row which was recognised as one of the best in the country

George Sherriff 1963 – 1973

• George Sherriff is universally recognised as one of the most outstanding players ever to have represented the club
• Only started playing rugby at the age of 24, but just two years later in 1963, he was commanding a regular place in the 1st XV
• In 1965, just four seasons after taking up rugby, he was capped against Scotland
• In 1966/67 he was capped again against Australia and played for Barbarians as well as Middlesex, followed in 1968/69 with a third cap against New Zealand

John Lockwood 1963 – 1977

• John Lockwood, one of the longest serving members of the 1st XV
• Many appearances for Middlesex as well as London Counties as hooker
• Saracens Captain from 1968/69

Mel Williams 1966 - 1976

• Mel Williams became Saracens Captain from 1974 to 1976
• The 1974/75 season was outstanding as it produced 31 wins and no home defeats
• Played county rugby, skippering Hertfordshire

Floyd Steadman 1980 – 1990

• Saracens Captain from 1982 in only his second season with the club
• He remained Captain for the next season and took over again in 1988/90
• He also played regularly for Middlesex whom he had represented at every level and subsequently captained
• Honoured in 1990 with selection for the Barbarians

Lee Adamson 1983 – 1994 (and 2000 – 2007)

• Saracens Captain from 1987/88
• Represented Middlesex and Saracens in both the back row and second row
• In 1992 he celebrated his 500th first class game against Nottingham
• Selected for the Barbarians on three occasions
• Lee played for Middlesex at senior level through four decades

Brian Davies 1990 – 1996

• A crucial member of the tightly knit side which took Saracens into the professional era
• Saracens Captain from 1992
• Raised the trophy for the Second Division Championship at Bramley Road in 1994
• Most remembered for outstanding leadership in the highly competitive seasons leading up to professionalism in 1996

John Buckton 1984 – 1996

• John Buckton- one of the most outstanding three-quarters ever to represent the club
• He won County honours for Yorkshire and Divisional honours with the North.
• In 1987/88 he received an England trial, as well as selection for the Barbarians and England B
• Went on the England tour to Australia and Fiji
• Won his first cap against the Wallabies when he replaced Will Carling
• Saracens Captain from 1992