Though you’d never guess it Dougie was born and brought up in Greenwich, London where he stayed until the age of nine. Moved then to Wilmington near Dartford in Kent. He recalls catching the bus from Dartford to Gravesend to fish for eels.

Aged thirteen Dougie and family came to Melbourne to the Swan where Dougie still lives and runs the Pub. Chellaston School was followed by Wilmorton College for ‘A’ Levels in Economics, History and Sociology which he didn’t get. Difficult I suppose when you live in a Pub.

A short 3 month stint in the Marines was followed by 3-4 years working for Fred Wright the Builder. In 1996 aged 25 Dougie started working for his Mum in the Pub.

His rugby started at Chellaston School but transferred to Derby where he played for the Colts. Somehow he got roped in to play for the Melbourne Colts 7s Team which went on to win the Derbyshire 7s. A period at Tigers when he was 21/22years old was followed by a period at Nottingham in the same season before he came back to play for Melbourne.

1. First position you played in rugby Scrum Half
2. Worst injury Slipped disc and trapped nerves

3. Best player you played with at MRFC or elsewhere Stuart Hamilton

4. Best person for post-match drinks, fun and frolics Garry Fawcett with his snuff tricks

5. What should your nickname be Dougie

6. What bad habit do you have Drinking

7. Your sporting hero Jonny Wilkinson

8. Your non-sporting hero Winston Churchill

9. Favourite food/meal Roast Beef dinner

10. Favourite TV programme/film Blackadder

11. Favourite book All Creatures Great and Small

12. Who dead or alive would you like to have a conversation with Richard the Lionheart

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

14. Dream job Fishing Ghillie

15. Tell me something about you that no one knows Scared of snakes

16. A phrase that reflects your life Relaxed, retired

17. What sport do you wish you’d tried Sailing

18. Who would you like to see interviewed for this article Cockney and Bones

19. Your wish for the future of MRFC That MRFC become independent from the MSP

20. Your Melbourne Dream Team of players past and present

Cockney
Garry Fawcett
Roger Lucas
Keith Bonner
Dave Bonner
Pete Lewsey
Robin Clayborn
Ray Sparkes
Jake Oxspring
Stuart Hamilton
Will Anderson
Scott Walters
Big Watty
Dave Middleton
Deano