Born in Alvaston, Tony’s family moved to Aston on Trent in order for Tony to be able to get into Chellaston School. He started playing rugby at school aged 11, having previously enjoyed football and from 7-14 judo.

Alan Dickens encouraged the young Tony by urging him to ‘Get training for Rugby’. Dave Swainston and Tony Britton were big influences both at school and at the Melbourne M&Js, each team comprising more or less the same players. School Rugby Tours visited Limerick and Benetton Treviso in Italy where the National Anthem was played before the game. In the first game against Benetton Melbourne battered the opposition which resulted in Benetton putting out their U18s against Melbourne’s U14s for the second game.

After playing in the Colts, coached at that time by Pete Upe, University beckoned. Tony went to Derby University to study Sociology and rugby took a backseat. Aged 21 Tony found his way back to Melbourne Rugby Club. He admits to being a lazy person who loves training once he gets there.

2010 and University behind him Tony found employment in a warehouse working 6-3pm dealing with supermarket orders. This lasted 7 months and was followed by 6 years as an Office Junior for Hire Supply Company. Bowmer and Kirkland has seen Tony progress through the ranks as a Plant Assistant, then Plant Manager and finally Buyer for Bowmer and Kirkland. Tony worked on the building project for Moorways.

The Company hold an annual Photographic competition themed around employees playing sport. After Tony had won two successive competitions he was told not to enter again.

Tony recalls a MRFC Tour to Weston-Super-Mare around 2016/17 where the backs and forwards swapped positions and the game was played wearing rather revealing chaps. Tony played fly half.

1. First position you played in rugby:- 2nd Row
2. Worst injury:- Broken Nose (twice), Still feel the effects

3. Best player you played with at MRFC or elsewhere:- Gatesy, Pagey and Tom Swainston

4. Best person for post-match drinks, fun and frolics:- Front Row Union of course!!

5. What should your nickname be:-

6. What bad habit do you have:- Impatience, laziness

7. Your sporting hero:- Rugby – Jason Leonard (AKA Fun Bus), Football – Craig Bryson

8. Your non-sporting hero:- My Wife

9. Favourite food/meal:- Everything!! Filthy Kebab and Cheesy Chips

10. Favourite TV programme/film:- Idiot Abroad or Rob n Romesh / Anything directed by Scorsese with Leo in – The Departed

11. Favourite book:- Papillon

12. Who dead or alive would you like to have a conversation with:- Mel Morris, not sure he would enjoy it though

13. You can take either a book, music or a tool to a desert island. Which, and what would it be :- Got to be Papillon the book again, the bloke never knew when he was beaten. SPOILER:- He managed to escape from a penal colony on a faraway island. Would either inspire or keep me busy with 500+ pages.

14. Dream job:- Professional Footballer, but only for Derby County

15. Tell me something about you that no one knows:- I became hooked on Downton Abbey

16. A phrase that reflects your life:- Taken from my lad’s favourite book “We’re going on a Bear Hunt”. We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. Oh no! We’ve got to go through it.

17. What sport do you wish you’d tried:- American Football at Uni

18. Who would you like to see interviewed for this article:- Jack Radley

19. Your wish for the future of MRFC:- Consolidate the position in the higher leagues for all the far away fun buses. Keep competing against our noisy neighbours Long Eaton and our local rivals DRFC GRRRRRRR!! Get a stand on the side of the first team pitch, for Roomy and Radley!

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

Manager:- Matt Derbyshire Social Secretary:- Dave Lowson
Roger Lucas
Dan W—ks
Matt Smith
Mark Coyne
Big Judge
Little Judge
Chris Purce
Devon Iliffe
Wozza
Andy Gates
Oliver Page
Euan Holden
Joe Stuart
Jack Pearce
Rob Foster

Subs:- Stringer and Pop