A self confessed footballer until he was 13yo and a friend suggested he gave rugby and SMOB RFC a try.
He played his first game that weekend as a flanker in a SMOB u13's team, coached by Kipper, when they beat Avonmouth 105-5.
Later that season he moved to hooker. By the age of 15yo he was playing for SMOB and Bristol Schools (quite impressive when his own school didn't even have a rugby team).

He was offered a rugby scholarship at Colston's but rejected the offer "as I didn't fancy carrying a briefcase to school?"

He was made SMOB Colts Captain and also represented Gloucestershire at county level still playing as hooker. Village says "By the age of 16 I was playing senior rugby and made my 1st team at 18 as RFU rules will not allow players of under 18 to play in the front row.
I have played senior rugby for SMOB ever since, mainly at hooker but I have played every position in the forwards and even at fullback (once) at 1st team level. I played 3 seasons at back row in my mid twenties but have since returned to hooker and stayed there until today."

He estimates at playing over 400 senior games for SMOB and is proud to have achieved:
3 x combination cup winners medals.
2 x combination cup runners up.
1 x Gloucestershire plate winners
1 x Gloucestershire cup runners up.
1 x most improved player award
2 x clubman of year award (as of this season!)

However, he is still awaiting Players player!

Village played at the highest league level that SMOB have to date played and is the longest serving and most decorated player currently playing for SMOB 1st XV.
"The highlight has been running out at the Memorial Stadium for my first combination cup final! And the lows have been not being selected in the squad to play at Twickenham , as apparently I was young and would get another chance!
Last weeks playoff loss was also a low as we haven't achieved promotion in over 15 years now.
I announced my retirement to the players before last weeks game as I was certain we would win and I could retire on a massive high. Unfortunately we couldn't quite get over the line, so I have the summer to make a decision on retirement. I would still like to go out on that high....watch this space!"

Off the pitch, Village has been a huge support to Liam and instrumental in the various fundraising activities including the ever so successful auction dinner which raised over £34k. Since taking the role of MC for the night he's become a great spokesperson having been interviewed by the press and on the radio too alongside Liam.

Throughout this season, players from the minis have supported every home game of the 1XV as ball boys; Village has ensured he's spoken to them all helping to integrate the two sections of the club. He also initiated supporting their training sessions by coaching alongside some 1XV team mates as "pay back" to the young players.

Congrats Village - you really are a true Clubman! ?