27/08/2026
In Loving Memory ๐ค
Last week, our rugby family lost one of our true stalwarts, Phil Bell. He gave this club decades of his life โ first as a player, and long after he hung up his boots, as one of the most vital volunteers we've ever had. Whether it was pitchside on freezing Saturday afternoon, writing match reports, looking after the referees, organising fixtures, or simply always being there with a glass of red wine and good advice, Phil was the beating heart of this club. Places like ours don't survive without people like Phil, and we owe him more than can be put into words.
Losing him has hit us all hard, and in the middle of that grief, there's something we need to say as a club, sometimes "it's OK not to be OK".
Rugby teaches us to be strong โ to push through, to keep going, to never let the team down. Those are values we're proud of. But somewhere along the way, that strength can turn into silence. We're so used to giving everything for the club that we sometimes forget to check in with each other properly. We ask "you alright, mate?" Or "how you doing?" as a greeting, not a real question โ and too many of us answer "yeah, fine thanks" when really we're not.
If this loss teaches us anything, let it be this: real strength is being honest when things aren't OK, and real teammates โ and real clubmates โ are the ones who listen without judgement when that happens. That applies to all of us, as volunteers, players, coaches, committee members, parents and everyone else who quietly keeps this club running.
We want every single member of this club to know this is a safe space to talk. No one has to carry things alone.
If you're struggling, please reach out โ to a teammate, a coach, a friend, or a professional. Talking is not weakness. It's one of the bravest things you can do.
There are also incredible organisations doing vital work in this space, within our sport and beyond. We are already linked to one organisation Looseheadz through the Gaffney Goblet. There are many more.
๐ Looseheadz โ Home - LooseHeadz a mental health charity built by and for the rugby community, using the sport's values of teamwork and support to break down stigma around men's mental health.
๐ The Jordon Legacy โ Su***de Prevention Charity | The Jordan Legacy Our mission is to move towards a society that is willing and able to do all it can to prevent all preventable suicides through collaboration, education and awareness raising.
Please take a moment to look into the support these charities offer, whether for yourself or someone you care about. Save their names. Share this post. Have the conversation you've been putting off with a mate.
Thank you for everything, Phil. This club wouldn't be what it is without you, and we'll carry your spirit forward by looking after each other a little better, every single day.