It is with a heavy heart that I am leaving Chinnor. Even with an opportunity to step up to the Championship, this was an extremely difficult decision to make. Chinnor feels very much like my baby that I have been nurturing with Simon for six years. It has been an incredible ride and to go from bottom of National League 2 South to within a gnat’s whisker of Championship rugby makes me feel like I’m leaving the Club in a great place.

I must add in this strange time we find ourselves in, please rest assured the Club is financially in a strong position. Like all businesses, the Club has been affected by COVID-19, but Chinnor is a stronger business than most and therefore I have promised the Board I will help find my successor to assist in finding a smooth transition into the next phase of Chinnor’s history.

I want to thank Simon and the Board as well as all the people – the hidden gems – who make Chinnor such a special place. I am not leaving work colleagues, but friends for life; from Jackie in the kitchen, to John on his tractor and the amazing Friday Club, through to all of the fantastic volunteers and staff at all levels of the Club, I would like to say thank you.

I would also like to especially thank the avid supporters both new and old who have followed us across the country come rain or shine, you know who you are and you will not be forgotten.

Talking specifically about rugby, we have had some incredible players wearing the black and white jersey over my time. But all of that starts with the off-field team that has supported me through the years from Ricky Khan, Junior Fatialofa, Richard Thorpe and Dan George. I would also like to thank Matty Mountford for his commitment and continuous years of fighting to get a Falcons team out.

It would not be proper if I did not mention my partner in crime, Ricky Khan. He has been my rock through the six years and he has now become my best friend.

I would also like to give Dan George a big mention. In recent years, Dan, myself and Ricky found a really good way of working together. I have a lot of respect for Dan and I wish him all the best.

Away from the coaches, thank you to the support staff who do so much work which goes unseen, such as the Registration Secretary Megan, my former team manager Mark and of course my current manager Steve - people who do so much more than a title eludes.

I cannot go without mentioning the sadness of Lauren’s death in 2018. Lauren was a friend as well as a colleague and no matter where I go, she will forever be in my memory. I can be difficult to work with on the medical side, but Lauren got me and knew how to work with me. We made a great team and there will always be a piece of my heart that just did not want to replace Lauren hence my hardness on future medical staff! With that said, a big thank you to Doctor Mullholland, Chloe, Charlie, Katie, Dean and particularly Becky who, even though she only worked for me this past season, really stood up and came good!

There have been many highs and lows over my time, but the most memorable occasion in my six years has to be the play-off win against Sedgley Park at Kingsey Road. The ground felt like a carnival of rugby that day and we achieved promotion to Tier 3 of English rugby, joining the elite of semi-professional clubs.

I’m going to miss the Club greatly and hopefully when we’re not playing on the same day, I will be back at Kingsey Road to watch with a beer in my hand. There’s no way I can just leave Chinnor without saying my farewells, so see you on the sidelines in pre-season whenever that will be.