“I Should have known better.” When they misinformed you.
“I’ll watch my own back.” When they let you down.
“I’ll do it myself.” When they do it wrong.
And if we are fortunate this will happen every single time that…
we trust them with our News and explaining our current events.
we trust them with our Dreams and what we hope to happen.
we trust them with our Future and our plans for freedom and expression.
Pushing us to ask, “What am I doing about it?” More importantly, “Why don’t I trust myself with what’s important to me?”
How much is it?
From the vibrant colors and tough rugged material to the branding and sponsorships.
You can feel its weight and sense its value and worth.
Please notice how important it was for Francis Edward Cotton to capture even the smallest detail of his personal experience as a Rugby Player. But could everything be captured?
As you price life in currencies that go unaccounted for such as Time (gained or spent), Emotions (full or drained), Patience (high or low), Attention (paid or unaffordable), Hope (up or lost), Tears (of joy or sorrow)…
We seem to be running out of all of them and yet use these same currencies with no regard.
Maybe it’s actually time to check what’s in our wallets.
Take a moment and ask yourself:
Am I still chasing after what I should be doing?
Have I achieved that thing I set out to do?
Do I feel like I’m still running, even though I’m done?
In 1947 Francis Cotton was born in Wigan, Lancashire.
Cotton won “The Glengarth Sevens” at The Davenport RUFC now called the Stockport Rugby Club.
Cotton played for the Lions in 1974, New Zealand in 1977, and for South Africa in 1980.
Cotton also played for England and was named captain three times.
…ok and?
When it’s all said and done, these experiences that mean everything, that are worth your life, what do you do with them?
Where do you plant the seed? How often will you water it? Do you know what kind of tree it will be even if you never see it finish growing? Who will water it when you’re gone?
In 1987, two former rugby players, teammates, and rugby captains, Francis Cotton and Steve Smith, founded Cotton Traders.
Cotton and Smith started out selling rugby shirts using the Sunday newspaper and mail orders, all being done in a small room alongside The Altrincham Train Station.
1-2-3 HARDWORK!
Within anything being created or made of value, can it possibly be captured that:
It’s challenging getting up every morning and doing the same thing, eating the same thing, and denying the mind of an easy way and the body of treats and delicacies.
It’s challenging listening to people who you don’t agree with but try to understand and gain perspective regardless of where you stand.
It’s challenging to fail, try even harder, fail again, promise yourself it’ll be different and still not find success but know you’re on the right path.
Can it be captured that no shortcuts were taken in this experience?
Pay attention to the details.
Four years later in 1991, Cotton Traders signed a license agreement to make and sell replica jerseys for Rugby National Teams!
What about me? What about you?
How do I gain information that I need to know?
(Who are my trusted sources in my personal community? Find out what contradicting opinions say, why they say it and who their trusted sources are.)
Can I start trusting myself to take my plans, my hopes, and my future more seriously?
(How can I start looking at my burden like a battery? In a healthy way, can I charge myself with the responsibility to carry out my task because it’s simply mine to do?)
What would it look like if I went in front of it myself?
(What do I support? Who empowers me? What’s the task?)
Unite and make it happen!
In 1995, the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, went to the Rugby World Cup finals in a Cotton Traders rugby shirt! I’m thinking I’ll have to add that piece to the HUNT. Stay tuned!
Last Note:
As for The Leicester Tigers, I didn't forget about them!
The club was founded August 3rd, 1880 (the number on the chest).
Their home and games are located in Mattioli Woods Welford Road towards the southern region of the city.
In June 2002, Bradstone (name on the front) became the main sponsor for The Leicester Tigers until 2008.
The Leicester Tigers have won 21 major titles and during the 2023/24 Premiership Rugby season, the Tigers finished at 8th place, allowing them to compete in the 2024/25 ERCC! (European Rugby Champions Cup).
Each footprint is more and more pronounced…
