I have been a ‘rugby man’ for all my (long) life and played in the top tier of English rugby during the amateur years (1970’s and 1980’s) for sides such as Harrogate, the RAF, the Armed Forces, and with a few ‘invitation’ sides like Public School Wanderers. And yes, I have played at Twickenham! As a coach, I was the Director of Coaching for the RAF and Chairman of Armed Forces Rugby. Professionally, I was a military Parachute Jumping Instructor specialising in high altitude free fall parachuting before retiring in 2007. But all that was a long time ago, and now counts for nothing!

Now, as a Reader (Licensed Lay Minister) in the Church of England, I’m keen to offer Old Pats another dimension, but across the whole club, players coaches, leaders, and supporters. As the club Chaplain, I intend to be pastorally supportive and spiritually reactive. In plain words, I’m not here to push religion, rather I’m here to listen, to discuss whatever you wish, to be available, and to pray for individuals and team if requested, all governed by absolute confidentiality. Note, I’ll not pray for team wins!