A Redditch business has helped fund a brand-new scoreboard for a 130-year-old amateur sports club near Alvechurch. 

Property agency John Truslove was approached by Five Ways Old Edwardians Rugby Club at a recent sporting lunch where they found out about their need for sponsorship. 

Joint managing director Ben Truslove felt the historic club, which is based in Hopwood, was a great cause to support so the business decided to buy the club a new scoreboard. 

Mr Truslove said: "I was approached by Five Ways Old Edwardians Rugby Club at a recent sporting lunch. 

"They were in need of sponsorship, and we all felt they were a great cause.

"This is an amateur rugby club at Hopwood, near Alvechurch, providing sporting opportunities for all with more than a dozen teams for girls and boys, men and women.

"It has been going for more than 130 years. That is a hefty slice of Worcestershire sporting history.

"We are an independent, locally-based commercial property agency, so it was an easy decision to be able to support the community in this way."

Mr Truslove and his fellow joint managing director Ian Parker have now been down to the club's ground with club stewardess Sue Hope to see the new scoreboard in its pride of place. 

Mr Parker said: "Of course, we hope Five Ways Old Edwardians ensure the scoreboard sees a lot of wear and tear in the coming season." 

Club president Dai Hope said: "We very much appreciate the support we have received from Ben and everyone at John Truslove. 

"We are a grassroots club and we have all found things a struggle since Covid.

"The cost of a new scoreboard would have taken a bit of bite out of our finances, so the backing from John Truslove means that money can be spent on ensuring we can provide sporting opportunities for all." 

Five Ways Old Edwardians was founded in 1892 by former pupils of King Edward VI Five Ways School in Bartley Green and originally played at the Masshouse ground in Kings Norton.

It moved to Hopwood in 1976, retaining the Masshouse name for the ground, on Ash Lane, where it continues to play both rugby and cricket.

In 2008 the club premises were destroyed by fire.

The club’s first XV plays in Counties 4 Midlands West (South), a level 9 English Rugby Union league and level 4 of the Midlands League.

Mr Hope added: "We rebuilt and I believe our facilities are now second to none. 

"We’re hoping to make good use of the scoreboard when we have our first home game of the new season on September 14, playing Evesham Second XV."

The club will also be celebrating Mr Hope being named Volunteer of the Year by the North Midlands League.

It is the second year in a row that a member of Old Edwardians has won the award.