Paul was born in Long Eaton and lived there until 6 years old, when he moved with family to Swarkestone. He attended Chellaston Infants, Juniors then Merrill Senior School until Chellaston Senior School opened for business. He became friendly with lads from Melbourne when he joined Chellaston School aged 12.

Rugby was played only during PE lessons. However, aged 15, Paul, Mark Hudson and Sean Eccles signed up for Cross Country Running much to the surprise of many as it involved quite a lot of exercise and the runs were frequent and long. Not such a surprise is the fact that the reason they signed up was the opportunity to bunk off during the run to have a crafty fag under the bridge on Station Road in Chellaston before re-joining the last bit of the run. One day on the start of a run Steve Holdstock took the three aside and said “Put your hand out” and smeared a stripe of toothpaste on each of their palms. He then said “When you’ve finished your fag, before coming back, lick your hand!!”.

Leaving school at 15 Paul became an apprentice hairdresser. From the age of 13 Paul had caught the bus to Derby on a Thursday after school to work at Keiran Mullins Hairdressers in Derby. Thursdays weren’t paid, but they had to do Thursday evening for free to be paid for sweeping floors all day on a Saturday. And you think times are hard now!!! Once in full time work as an apprentice Paul decided it wasn’t for him after all but stuck at it until he could get another job.

Melbourne Garage was the next job, costing him half a finger when it got trapped in a trailer. Paul then went into the building trade from age 18 until 1995 when he started his own business PB Landscapes which is a proud sponsor of pitches and shirts for Melbourne Rugby Club.

Bignall & Huddo are a comedy duo, forever ragging on each other. Paul shared this tale from the crypt. Around a week after New Year some time ago, in their dark and distant youth, our intrepid pals were making merry after a few sherberts in the Hotel (Harpurs as it is now) and Huddo was giving Bignall a piggy-back home) (already we know this isn’t going to end well!). They fell through Wayne the Butcher’s window and onto the meat counter, smashing the glass counter and detaching Paul’s left ear from the side of his face. Huddo’s response was to suggest doing a runner but Bignall was keen to find his ear. It soon became apparent that the elusive ear was hanging by the smallest bit of skin still ever so slightly attached. They made their way back to the Hotel where a bar towel (remember those?) was used to hold Paul’s ear in place while an ambulance was summoned. Luckily for Paul there was a Plastic Surgeon on duty in A&E that night. 65 stitches from a Plastic Surgeon have produced a fine job, you really can’t see the join. Paul played rugby at scrum-half wearing a scrum cap while the stitches were still in place.

More recently Paul has become proudly acquainted with the daughter he knew nothing about. A prop playing for Ashfield Swans, then Derby she has recently retired from rugby aged 27.

Paul says that the biggest regret during his rugby career is not playing at a lower level as he’d have loved to play rugby regularly with Mark Hudson in the 3rds!!!!

1. First position you played in rugby:- Hooker
2. Worst injury:- Broken ribs (twice)

3. Best player you played with at MRFC or elsewhere:- Ian Lucas

4. Best person for post-match drinks, fun and frolics:- Bengo/Ducky

5. What should your nickname be:- The Boss

6. What bad habit do you have:- Grumpy

7. Your sporting hero:- Brian Clough

8. Your non-sporting hero:- Chris Tarrant (Tiswas)

9. Favourite food/meal:- Sunday Roast

10. Favourite TV programme/film:- Zulu/Battle of Britain

11. Favourite book:- The Hobbitt

12. Who dead or alive would you like to have a conversation with:- My Dad

13. You can take either a book, music or a tool to a desert island. Which, and what would it be:- Fishing Rod

14. Dream job:- Porn Star

15. Tell me something about you that no one knows:- Used to be a Hairdresser

16. A phrase that reflects your life:- Always Look on the Bright Side

17. What sport do you wish you’d tried:- Pole Vault

18. Who would you like to see interviewed for this article:- Mark (Fatty) Hudson

19. Your wish for the future of MRFC:- To be very successful whilst keeping it local

20. Your Melbourne Dream Team of players past and present:-

Robin Clayborn
Me
John McEntee
Keith Bonner
Paul Ewins
John Ewins
Paul Macer
Ian Lucas
Jake Oxspring
Euan Holden
Frenchy
Andy Fulton
Big Wattie
Dave Middleton
Graeme Hardy