Rugby's keenest fan shows off memorabilia

MARK DWYER

A GOOD KEEN FAN: Frank Fowler with his "world famous in Taranaki'' rugby display at his home in Stratford.

Frank Fowler may just be the keenest rugby fan in Taranaki.

Every year for the past six years he's festooned his Stratford home with banners, flags and signs painted black and yellow – and sometimes black and white – in support of his favourite teams.

In March, it's the Hurricanes. Then in July, it's Taranaki. Luckily, those two are the same colours.

But then, no matter when the All Blacks are playing, Mr Fowler switches his signs in the blink of an eye to support the boys in black. "The All Blacks are my favourites," the sprightly 70-year-old says with a grin. "They always give me more wins than losses so they're number one."

The retired dairy farmer is no mug, however. "The signs are reversible, you see. I just switch them over, quick as that. I'm a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, so I do it all myself."

Sometimes, but only on very special occasions, he might have both lots of colours up.

He even has a scoreboard displaying how many wins his teams have had.

Since the displays began with a single, brightly-lit Christmas tree in the window when he first moved to Cassandra St, Mr Fowler says his home has become something of an icon.

"We do the Christmas lights, and the rugby, of course, and we've done Americarna – there's always something going on," he says.

Mr Fowler says he's not a "rugby nut" but he tries to go to as many games as he can and is a keen memorabilia collector.

Showing the Taranaki Daily News through his home, he points out piles of scrapbooks with cuttings about games, a special edition rugby coin collection, game programmes from as far back as 1937 and more piles of rugby almanacs.

Mr Fowler says the only reason he puts on the displays is for the buzz it gives him.

"I'm just so honoured when people say they like it, or ask me about it," he says.

The only thing he needs now to complete his collection is a visit from his favourite player, Jason Eaton, he says.

"That would just be so great. But I think he's a bit shy so I don't know if I'll get to show him my display."

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