Rugby: Nigel hangs up his boots

But for one local rugby union character, it was the end of a distinguished rugby career.

Nigel Brown, now 42-years-old, hung up his boots after playing for the President's side, who lost 16-12.

"But I couldn't lose really," he quipped. "I coached the winning team!"

A typical joking antidote that anyone who knows Nigel would have expected. He has been a regular for the Mistley 1st XV this season.

I'm not saying that he's lasted the full game on each occasion, but after considering that he had been advised by the medical profession to give up the game only 'four times' he has decided to call it a day and concentrate on coaching.

The back-row forward actually started his days as a hooker for Kings School, Rochester, and from that day, at the age of ten, he got the rugby union bug.

After representing Sussex under-17s, under-18s and the senior side, he left for the south coast to join Hove RFC, and went on to have trials with London based Harlequins in the early 70s.

"I suffered from a serious neck injury while playing for Harlequins, a club that I represented in the equivalent of today's Development XV, the 2nd XV and a couple of times for the 1st XV.

"I was playing for the Quins at the time Peter Winterbottom arrived, and I took one look and thought 'that is going to hurt!'

"At that level you had to give the game a lot of dedication but my neck went again and unfortunately the decision was made for me. I went back to Hove before joining Old Brightonians.

"They were a great set of lads and it was enjoyable rugby - I really loved it there," he added.

While with the Quins, Nigel remembers playing alongside the likes of Bob Hillier and Roy Alver, and against players like Nicky Skinner, Roger Utley, and Andy Ripley.

"After you'd been tackled by Roger Utley, you knew about it," he said.

While playing for Old Brightonians, Nigel was invited to guest with a French team that was based around the famous Sporting Club of Paris, and would, in hindsight, have loved to have given it a go in France, to "play with and against quality players."

In 1986, he moved to Brightlingsea and soon got involved with the local rugby club.

"Brightlingsea was and still is a great club - the people are really nice and it was enjoyable," he commented.

"I helped Pete Revett set up the youth section at the club and started to enjoy my rugby again. There was a hardcore of third-teamers there who took the youngsters on, and they can now hold their hands up and say that they helped youngsters in to the Suffolk and Eastern Counties sides, and further."

But an appearance for Brightlingsea 3rds changed the course of his rugby career again.

The side took on Mistley 1st XV and Nigel was asked if he was interested in coaching the side for the forthcoming Suffolk Cup match against Colchester. He asked when the game was to be played, and was told 'in two weeks time.'

So he joined Mistley and even ended up playing for them when a car broke down, the side starting four players short.

"We got the first try of the game, but that was it," he said. We were second best on the day.

"Mistley is a family orientated club and I enjoy that about it. I want to coach senior rugby but will always have time for juniors who want to play.

"I pride myself in helping youngsters. If I can show them what fun they can get out of the game, and what fun I have had out of the game, the game's a good 'un."

The aches, the pains from the constant physical contact over the years, have taken their strain, as many an ex-player will know, including myself. But Nigel's next comment is not a unique one. I wouldn't change any of it at all.

"Rugby has given me a great life - my playing days may be over, but no-one can take my memories away. I've met an awfully lot of really nice people through the game, people who I would not have met otherwise.

"I think I can go in to any rugby club in the country and be made to feel welcome - rugby is a great game, the greatest."

Things have changed drastically in the game in recent years, including the introduction of professional rugby. What were his thoughts on the new trend?

"To be honest, I think that one big mistake with the professional game is that they play their games on the same day as club games are played.

"I would love to watch a game, but if there is a local club game, that comes first for me."

There have been several funnier moments and one that sticks in Nigel's mind?

"I remember going away with Brightlingsea to play against Ipswich YM. The scrum-half said he had a big car and took the three-quarters with him and the shirts.

"He ended up at the wrong venue and we didn't see our threes again that day. And we lost!"

And on another occasion Brightlingsea were several players short and Nigel decided to call on a footballing youngster, Sean Sutton, to con him into a game.

"We were playing at Thurston, and I picked Sean up and gave him a run down on the rules on the trip to Great Bromley.

"He played on the wing that day, scored a try and has not looked back since - I'll be amazed if he's not playing for Suffolk next season."

Brightlinsea chairman, Colin Gould, said that the game needed people like Nigel.

Colin added: "He's totally commited to the game - rugby is his life. He has done a great job for the club and we wish him well in his coaching role."

But the fact is that Nigel has decided his playing days are over - never an easy choice when you love the game as he does. He added: "That is it - I am not playing again!

"I haven't been the gentlest of players but there's a time and place for everything. The time is Saturday afternoon, the place is the rugby pitch.

"You meet before the game as friends, give 100 per cent on the pitch, then part as friends - there's no other game like it."

Nigel, divorced, but "not available" according to partner Carole, has three children, Gemma (15), Nicola (13) and Andrew (10), and still lives in Brightlingsea.

On a personal note, in my few months here, I have been welcomed by all of the rugby clubs I have visited.

I am certain of one thing - the game itself is going to lose one big character on the park - the jovial Nigel Brown.

But a warning to the other clubs in the area - he won't be far away from that touchline.

And next time you visit the Mistley RFC clubhouse, look up on the wall - Nigel's boots are nailed there to remind us all of a distinguished rugby career and years of dedication to the game.

It's a friendly old game - you can take it from me that this was a loose scrum, not a friendly huddle, during the President's game on Sunday. Nigel can be seen in the centre of the picture, being supported by teammate Les Nichol (left).

Picture: STEVE ARGENT

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.