News

The passing of former Frampton Cotterell Secretary Steve Buckley

Steve Buckley Funeral Arrangements

Many of you may already be aware that Frampton Cotterell RFC stalwart and long-serving Hon. Secretary, Steve Buckley (photo attached), recently passed away.

We have been advised that Steve’s funeral will take place at 4.30 pm on Monday 13th July at Waterside Chapel, Westerly Crematorium, followed by a celebration of Steve’s life at the Club, Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell.

Family flowers only, but donations to the British Heart Foundation are invited.

The dress code has been requested to be “what you are comfortable with reflecting Steve’s memory”.

The passing of Kingswood RFC legend John Iles

It is with great sadness that Kingswood RFC share the news that club legend John Iles has passed away.

John was much more than a player, captain and chairman. He was one of those rare individuals whose dedication and loyalty helped shape the very foundations of our club.

A rock-solid player on the field and a steadfast supporter off it. John remained a loyal member for more than 50 years, giving his time, energy, and commitment to the club he loved.

When many of us first joined the club, John was already an established and respected figure. He led by example, earning the admiration of his teammates and opponents alike through his determination and character. He always played hard and fair, unless you were in the wrong then you would feel a strong right hook!

His contribution extended far beyond the rugby pitch. John was one of the many volunteers who gave countless hours helping to build our Church Avenue clubhouse, creating our first home.

The measure of a club man is not only in the positions he holds, but in the legacy he leaves behind. John’s legacy can be seen in the club he helped build and the friendships he forged.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with John’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Janet, Jess and Mike have all been overwhelmed with the love, support and thoughts from everyone.

John’s funeral will take place on Friday, July 17, at 1:30 pm at Westerleigh Crematorium, followed by a gathering at Kingwood Rugby Club.

Thank you, John, for everything you gave to this club. Your contribution will never be forgotten, and your place in our club’s history is assured.

RIP - John

FRAMPTON COTTERELL WIN BRISTOL COMBINATION VASE FINAL

Frampton Cootterell were the 52-36 winners of the Bristol Combination Butcombe Vase Final at Clifton RFC

on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Frampton stormed into a 28-nil lead and went into the break

leading 33-14 ahead.

Clevedon came back to trail 33-24 on the hour, but Frampton were always in front and ran out the winners.

AVONMOUTH OB WIN BRISTOL COMBINATION BOWL FINAL

Congratulations to Avonmouth Old Boys on winning the Bristol Combination Butcombe Bowl Final with a 27-26 victory over Barton HILL RFC at the Lockleaze Sports Centre RFC on Saturday, May 9, 2026, thanks to a conversion having been behind throughout the game.

OLD BRISTOLIANS WIN BRISTOL COMBINATION CUP FINAL

Congratulations to Old Bristolians RFC on winning the Bristol Combination Butcombe Cup Final with a 21-14 victory over Winscombe RFC at Clifton RFC on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

This is the second time that Old Bristolians have won the final, having beaten Old Redcliffians in the 1974/75 season.

A fitting end to the 100 years of Old Bristolians existence

North Bristol - Steve Bold RIP

As a club, we are deeply saddened, devastated and shocked to hear of the sudden and unexpected passing of our NBRFC Chair, Steve Bold.

A fantastic servant to the club for all of his life, Steve started in our junior section and went on to play over 500 games for the senior club, captaining the men’s 2nd team and 1st team as Club Captain.

He went on to coach in both the boys and girls sections, and held many roles as a volunteer: Junior Chair, Director of Rugby, Club Secretary, before finally becoming our Club Chair, where he brought the club together and helped set a vision of “rugby for all” at North Bristol RFC.

Steve worked tirelessly to drive continual improvement, making a constant positive impact on the club and everyone in and around it. He was there every week, supporting every team alongside his Wife Sharmaine. They were always present, from the Unicorns through to our senior sides.

He always had time for anyone, often over a pint and would happily talk about rugby, the club, the Bears, or anything else. He listened, he cared, and he offered advice.

A huge Bristol Bears fan and a well respected member of the wider rugby community, he often appeared on local radio talking about all things rugby. He was a true gent in both his approach and manner.

We have all learned so much from him, and in such a short time the messages that have come flooding in paint a clear picture of a true club person! Kind, supportive, always there for anyone, and someone who loved his club and the wider rugby community.

A wonderful husband to Sharmaine and an amazing dad to Kaiya and Ellis.

We are all thinking of his family at this incredibly sad and difficult time. As always, the NBRFC family will rally around and offer all the support possible.

Steve made such a hugely positive and lasting impact on so many. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to call him a player, coach, chair, friend….Boldy.

Forever in our hearts 💙❤️

Martin Harrex, North Bristol RFC Secretary. April 27, 2026

Bristol Barbarians RFC

It is with great sadness that Bristol Barbarians RFC have announced that Don Pegler passed away earlier this week.

A club member, player, chairman and trustee, Don was with the club for over 60 years.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.RIP Don, a true Bristol Barbarians and British Gas RFC legend.

RIP Don

BRISTOL RUGBY REFEREE'S DINNER

Friday 15th May @ Lockleaze Sports Centre 1900hrs
Cost: £30

If you haven't already secured your tickets, please do so asap before it's too late!

Tables of up to ten people available - or smaller groups/individual tickets also available on shared tables.
Bank Details

Bristol Rugby Referees’ Society
77-73-09
19079868 ·
Club name as reference

If need to be invoiced, then contact Adrian Johnstone at treasurer.brrs@gmail.com or 07771-763557

The passing of former Bristol captain & Clifton’s Director of Rugby Matt Salter

Please help raise £5000 to support Matt Salter’s family.

As many of you know, our dear friend Matt Salter passed away recently.

His wife, Charlie, and the children are obviously devastated.

To help them, friends are asking the wider rugby community and network for support at this sad time.

Please see a link below

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Matt Salter will take place at Bristol Cathedral, College Green, BS1 5TJ, on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 1 pm.

Matt’s family warmly invites all who wish to attend.

Please note the funeral service will be held privately, with attendance by invitation only.

The family remains deeply grateful for your understanding, love and support during this incredibly difficult time.

Full Details

B&DRFC Representative XV

B&DRFC Representative XV typically arranges several fixtures each season, for matches against opposition selected at various playing levels.

B&DRFC coaching team would welcome clubs to nominate appropriate players for consideration across those multiple levels by emailing player's name, club, playing position and mobile phone number.

The coaches would then do their best to watch as many players as possible in their respective club's fixtures, ahead of B&DRFC Repr. XV squad selections.

Please consult with your own club's coaches / committee, and nominate appropriate players, providing the above requested player information to:

Andy Nethercott, B&DRFC Repr. XV Coach - andy_nevs@hotmail.co.uk

St Marys OB’s Tony White

Tony White, former St Mary’s OB captain and club legend, passed away at home on 16 January 2026, aged 78.

With over 63 years with the club, he made significant contributions both on and off the field, following in the footsteps of his father Jack and brother John, all of whom wore the green and black with distinction.
As a number 10, Tony demonstrated exceptional skills with hand and feet. He was renowned for his tackling ability and possessed a powerful handoff. His dummies were masterful, often deceiving not just the opposition but also his own teammates.

Condolences to Tony's wife, Moira, Sarah, Tom, and Hannah.

Funeral arrangements
• Tuesday, February 24, 2026
• 10:30 Funeral Service at Our Lady of Lourdes, Kingswood
• 12:00 Burial at Keynsham Cemetery (all welcome)
• 12:30 Return to St Mary’s Old Boys Trench Lane
No flowers please; donations to St Peter's Hospice Southwest or Teenage Cancer Trust.

John Doubleday RIP

The Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination is saddened to hear the passing of former Bristol & Gloucestershire prop John Doubleday, aged 69.

John made 314 appearances for the Bristol 1stXV, including being a member of the 1983 side that beat Leicester 28-22 in the 1982 John Player Cup final at Twickenham. He also made 80 appearances for Bristol United and four for Bristol A.

An obituary is available HERE on the

Bristol Bears website.

The Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and former team-mates.

Bristol Combination - Remembrance Day Service

Bristol Combination - Remembrance Day Service, The Memorial Stadium - Friday, November 7, 2025

As always, Bristol & District Combination strives to achieve full member club attendance and wreath-laying at the service.

I am again offering to procure wreaths from The Royal British Legion and to appropriately label and attach club colour ribbons to all wreaths ordered by B&DRFC member clubs / local rugby organisations, and to have them available to be collected in The Memorial Stadium clubhouse pre-service (of course, you are most welcome to source your own wreath, if you prefer).

The cost of the Royal British Legion poppy wreath, including club colour ribbons and labelling, will be just over £20.00, as usual.

Invoices will be sent to each club/organisation shortly after the service, along with bank payment details (pre-payment is not required).

Please email me HERE by the close of Friday, October 10, 2025, LATEST with your wreath order, as The Royal British Legion often run out of stock well before Remembrance Day.

Times for Friday, November 7, 2025

10.00am - The clubhouse will be open.

10:50am - 10:55am - Commencement of the service.

Post-service - Tea/coffee/bar available in the clubhouse.

The passing of Aretians’ Mike Allen

Funeral details added

Mike Allen

Mike touched the lives of so many, and Sue and the family would love for everyone who knew him to come together to celebrate his life and give him the farewell he so deeply deserves.
Date & Time: Friday 17th October, 10:15 am
Service: Westerleigh Crematorium
Wake: From 12 pm at Aretians RFC, a place that meant so much to Mike

Sue and the family have asked that there be no particular dress code and that flowers are not necessary. Instead, if you wish, donations in Mike’s memory can be made to Dementia UK, a cause very close to their hearts.

Mike will be so deeply missed but never forgotten. Let’s come together to honour him, share memories, and surround Sue and the family with love.

RIP Mike

The passing of St. Bernadette's OB stalwart Séan Broad

Funeral details added

Séan Broad

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you all that Séan Broad, stalwart member, 1st XV Captain and senior Officer of St. Bernadette's OB's RFC for well over half a century, passed away this morning (September 18, 2025) in hospital.

Séan had recently suffered complications after his lengthy battle against ill-health.

Séan also represented SBOBs at Bristol & District Combination member clubs' monthly meetings for many years.

Our thoughts and sincerest condolences go to Séan's wife, Jen, to their son, Matt, to all their family and friends, and to everybody at St. Bernadette's OB RFC.

Séan was a formidable opponent, but he was always a gentleman and a great character, epitomising community rugby at its best, both on and off the pitch.

Séan will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.

The funeral details are:

Date: Friday 17th October

11:30 am - Service at The Holy Family, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5DY.

12:45 pm - Committal at Canford Crematorium, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3PQ

The wake will then be held at The BAWA Club, Southmead Road, Bristol BS34 7RG

Suggested dress code from Seán's family - Club 'No 1’s' (optional).

All are welcome to join Seán's family at any point during the above schedule to celebrate Seán's life.

RIP Séan

Trevor Sargent Memorial Game - Saturday, September 27, 2025

Trevor Sargent Memorial Game – Thornbury Vandals vs North Bristol Vets - Saturday 27th Sept. 2.00pm K.O. - Venue: Thornbury RFC

Thornbury RFC lost a much-loved club man earlier this year with the passing of Trevor Sargent.

Trevor joined Thornbury in 2001, having previously played senior rugby for North Bristol and as a junior for Clifton. Between 2001 and 2017, Trevor made 149 appearances for Thornbury, including 10 for the 1st team, 73 for the 2nd team and 66 for the 3rd team.

A true clubman. In these games, he scored 25 tries and kicked 30 conversions and one penalty, for a total of 188 points.

In addition, Trevor’s three sons all played for the Juniors at Thornbury, and he was a regular volunteer coach with the age group sides in support of his sons. He was a much-loved member of our club who always had time for everyone and was always willing to help out. He is missed.

To remember Trevor, please join us at Thornbury RFC on Saturday, 27th September, for a memorial game between Thornbury Vandals and North Bristol Vets, 2.00 pm K.O.

Both clubs would like to invite family, friends and former team-mates of Trevor to come and join us in celebrating his life.

The passing of former Dings player Paul “Jake” Lloyd

Paul “Jake” Lloyd

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Paul Lloyd — known affectionately to all as ‘Jake’.

A much-loved character and cherished member of the Dings Crusaders RFC family, Jake’s loss will be felt by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Jake was born in 1951 in Horfield, Bristol, one of nine siblings. The nickname “Jake” came from his childhood love of the 1950s radio show Jacob of Armitage. So taken was he with the character that his brothers began calling him Jake — a name that stayed with him for life.

Jake joined Dings Crusaders RFC in 1968 at just 16 years old, playing four games in his debut season. He quickly mastered the dark arts of front-row play — no small feat in those days — and by the following season had played 25 games, including nine for the 1st XV.

Between 1969 and 1976, Jake made 205 appearances for the club, most of them in the 1st XV.

From 1977 to 1984, his playing time was limited due to work commitments at Rolls-Royce, but he still managed 31 games during that period.

His return in 1982 marked a resurgence in form, and he continued to play at a high level, including appearances for Bristol Rugby Club where he held an unbeaten record in the first team.

Over an incredible 28 seasons at Dings, Jake played a total of 443 games — 315 of them for the 1st XV.

He was a natural rugby player: strong on either side of the scrum, with ball-handling skills that were rare among props of that era. Some remember watching him train at Lockleaze on Tuesday nights, running hard before stripping down to reveal his trademark black bin bag — his unique method of shedding a few pounds after travelling the world with Rolls-Royce.

In Jake's latter years, he took on a coaching role of the then Junior side that his son was playing in and took them to a Gloucester County Final played at the Memorial Ground.

Sad News From The Vale

R.I.P. Neil Hutton

Neil Hutton has left the pitch for the final time.
His sudden, tragic passing while swimming will leave a huge hole in his family, the local community (Men Shed) and the rugby club that he loved so much.

Neil was Clevedon’s Club Captain in the 1985-86 season and who could forget his Collie dog patrolling the touchline as he played, causing no end of mischief. His senior rugby career was as a hooker, having spent his formative Colts years as a fly half!

He also played hooker for Bristol during that time and would often reminisce about his playing days to anyone that would listen - you may be one of them?

Neil has gone too soon, but won't be forgotten, that's for sure. Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Geoff & Molly and their family at this sorrowful time.

Funeral arrangements will not be known for at least three weeks and will be posted here when they are.

Announcement from Broad Plain RFC

We regret to inform everyone that we will be withdrawing from the Counties 3 Gloucester South league and will be solely competing in the Bristol & District league.

This hard decision has been made based on a significant number of players leaving over the summer with a forward focus on player safety, recruitment and retention.

We will be actively seeking fixtures for every weekend outside of the league structure. We encourage anyone who wants to play rugby to come to the Plain and get involved. We aim to run two teams when availability of players allows.

Our goal will be to have a successful season in B&D 1 and return into the counties leagues next year.

It’s rebuild time, with a new coach, new system and a good season of rugby ahead of us.

Up the Plain.

Remembering John Raine

Clifton RFC will be holding a celebration of John Raine’s life on Friday 5, 2025 from 3 pm

It is often said that no one is bigger than a club, but some people become part of its very fabric. John Raine was one of those people.

From his playing days in the 1960s to serving 14 years as President, his passion, humour, and unwavering commitment shaped rugby for generations.

Clifton RFC will be holding a memorial for John on Friday, September 5, 2025, 3 pm at the club, and all are welcome to join us as we celebrate his life and legacy.

John will forever be remembered as kind, loyal, funny, and unforgettable.