Brian is a Melbourne lad living in Melbourne all his life. He attended Melbourne Infants School when it was located on Penn Lane, and the Junior School when that was located on Penn Lane. The Senior School was situated at what is now known as MARS. That could be the answer to many a conundrum!!Peter Knight was the teacher who tried to get the boys playing rugby but had to give up after one game. Brian has not disclosed the reason.

The first job that Brian had was at Nixon and Knowles Woodyard, followed by upwards of 30 different jobs before settling on a window cleaning business.

One evening after bumping into Garry the Doc Fawcett in a local hostelry, Brian was persuaded that he was the right size and shape for rugby and should join the Sunday morning training session at Brook Farm. The year was 1983 and the first game Brian played was for Coalville. His first game for Melbourne was against Eccleshall. Brian confessed to me that he never made it up and around Breedon Church on those training sessions.

A prisoner called H at Sudbury Prison was the source of Brian’s first set of kit which comprising shirt, shorts and boots was purchased for the outrageous sum of 2 cigarettes. Brian recalls that when the rugby ball went over into the allotments there were plenty of offers from the prisoners to go looking for it.

1. First position you played in rugby: Tighthead Prop

2. Worst injury: Disloclated finger

3. Best player you played with at MRFC or elsewhere: Pete Lewsey/Garry Fawcett

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

5. What should your nickname be: Beeb

6. What bad habit do you have: Not knowing when I had enough beer

7. Your sporting hero: Jack Bodell

8. Your non-sporting hero: Nigel Farage

9. Favourite food/meal: Chips

10. Favourite TV programme/film: BBC Question Time

11. Favourite book: Great Expectations

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: Music

14. Dream job: Window Cleaner

15. Tell me something about you that no one knows: I hate needles

16. A phrase that reflects your life: Easy come……etc

17. What sport do you wish you’d tried: Boxing

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

19. Your wish for the future of MRFC: Have own Clubhouse and Ground

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

J Laban
J Oxspring
D Sylvester
S Walters
L Smith
K Lakin
G Fawcett
K Iliffe
B Silkstone
B Cope
P Lewsey
C Walters
R Clayborn
D Clayborn
R Lucas