Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Podcast

Christmas came early for Reggie Elliot-Jones after he was pushed backwards from the second row into the back row. It worked wonders as he put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 36-19 win over Chiswck, one of three wins from three for the 1871 teams. Reggie talks us through the likelihood of him running out in the back row again, how he's now part of the furniture, and the weekend matches to...

Dave Francis has made quite the impact since he returned to the club at the end of last season, and he has started this season with a bang. He helped the 1st XV to a 110-0 win over UCS on opening day, scored a try, and even enjoyed a cameo in the centres. The big number eight first ran out at Vallis Way aged seven, but after enjoying the delights of the other clubs, he made the emotional return to...

We're counting down the minutes until the 2025-26 season starts, and to get us frothing in excitement for the season to come, we catch up with first XV skipper Lewis Steadman. It is his fourth season wearing the arm band, and he has a lot to build on with new teammates and last season's success fresh in the memory. We catch up with him to reflect on the joys of pre-season training and what sort of...

We're on the eve of the 2025-26 season, and the Ealing 1871 squad is ready to explode out for a new campaign. The players have been grafting hard in pre-season, and we catch up with head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith to find out how it has gone, what we can look forward to in the coming season, and how last season's success sets us up for another memorable year. #BleedGreen Saturday 6 September Ealin...

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 signalled the end of a wildly successful 2024-25 season with their inaugural End of Season Club Awards Gala, a night that was as spectacular as some of their play this season. There was much to celebrate, awards and caps to dish out, and praise galore who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the club continues to prosper and grow. We catch up with the men's a...

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;  For he today that sheds his blood with me  Shall be my brother." Last Saturday, Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV stood tall, puffed out their chests, and declared, "This is our day." Indeed, it was, as a 28-24 win over Old Bristolians brought home their first piece of silverware in many a season, and celebrated in the same style in which they h...

Finals fever is sweeping Ealing Trailfinders 1871 as the 1st XV count down the days before they face Old Bristolians in the Papa John's Cup Final. Phil 'Smudger' Smith has named his team, and coaches full of supporters are ready to sweep down the M4 to roar on their heroes in green and white. It is a team stuffed with experience and sprinkled with talented youth, so we catch up with one of Smudger...

Semifinal fever has swept Ealing Trailfinders 1871 and Vallis Way, with the 1st XV set for a semifinal showdown against Weybridge Vandals in the Papa John's Trophy. Phil 'Smudger' Smith' will lead the green and white hordes down to Surrey where their opponents await at Cobham Rugby Club. We hear from Kyle Beck, who hopes to be among the called troops, but first, we catch up on what occurred in the...

It is a happy camp at Ealing Trailfinders 1871, and why not after the seconds lifted the club's first trophy in a while with a 43-17 victory over London Scottish Lions 2nds. Luke Beasley lifted the trophy, but as he was away recuperating, we hear from Danny O'Sullivan, who gives us a breakdown of what happened. We also hear from head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith, who is taking the team to Southwold...

Break out the bunting, dust off the oversized rosette, Ealing 1871 have a cup final to look forward to. That's right, this Saturday, 1871 2nds will take on London Scottish Lions 2nds in the MT Bowl Final at Wasps FC on Twyford Avenue. To mark this momentous occasion, we chatted with skipper Luke Beasley to preview the match, reflect on the season, and discuss his pre-match preparations. It has bee...

He's back, Phil 'Smudger' Smith joins us to look back over the 1st XVs' final league match of the season and reflect on the league season. Smudger brings us up to date on the goings on of the second and third XVs, and what action we can look forward to as the summer months kick in. There's a special shout out to a new fan, and the chance to stay up to date with the social calendar. Saturday 12 Apr...

Friend of the pod Tim Hitchcock returns by popular demand to look forward to the business end of the season. First comes the final match of the season away to Cheshunt, and then come the summer socials that Tim will take a controlling hand in. We talk play-offs, student union bar prices, friendly cricket matches, and karaoke song choices. Saturday 5 April Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Cheshunt...

Calum Jones can barely remember life away from Ealing Trailfinders, and while work keeps him away more than he likes, when he's available, he's all in. He's been coming to Vallis Way since he was six, and even while away at university, it was his first port of call when home. We hear what major government project is keeping him away, what the club means to him, and enjoy a brief cameo from coach P...

Akeem Eubank Anderson, an Ealing lad and a product of the club. He's been and gone to see the rugby world but is now back to share his experiences at Vallis Way. A prop forward who loves his role so much that he wears his scrum cap after training, someone who has trained with a World Cup winner, and someone who starred down Welsh Valley rugby and gave as good as he gets. He tells us about his rugb...

It's back! Tinged golden from the sun of south and south-east Asia, and still flowing in the wind as its owner charges around the paddock. The mullet has returned. Harry Reed touched down two weeks ago after five and a half months exploring the world, and within a fortnight he was back in the 1st XV and helping the team to victory over Hitchin. We talk about his return and performance, wandering t...

Harrison Slater, joined the club as a boy and now he's a 100-cap man, and didn't he do it in style! Having first worn the green and white at five years of age in the rugby rats section, and passed through the minis, youth and academy, he has now racked up 100 appearances for the men's section and has the tie to prove it. Harrison's 100th (officially) match ended perfectly with him kicking the winn...

Danny Ford, third team captain and long-time club servant, joins us to look at how the team has been going this season. We talk results, playing in the mud, the new wave of players, and how this season has become very much a family affair. #Bleedgreen Saturday 22 February Ealing Trailfinders 2nd XV v Finchley (H) 14.30 Sunday 23 February Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Barnes (A) 14.00 Hosted on...

When skipper Lewis Steadman was injured, Ryan Conyard stepped up and led the team to a 90-point win on a memorable day for the first-time captain. It continued the team's good run in January and ensured that for two straight weeks, the firsts and seconds enjoyed victories. We look back on those wins, talk about captaincy and how much Ryan likes life at inside-centre. #BleedGreen Saturday 8 Februar...

Luke Beasley has one of the most important roles at the club. As second XV captain, he is responsible for ensuring his players keep the first XV on their toes, making sure they are ready to step up, and bringing up players who have impressed for the third XV. It is onerous, but he's loving it, especially as the team are beginning to fulfil their potential after a slow start to the season. More rec...

Will Day has been with the club since he was eight years of age, and he is now a huge part of the 1871 men's squad, and aiming to help the team to new heights. Not only is the number 8 chasing folk down on the pitch, but he does all that while juggling his job as a construction manager while gaining his degree. He came through the Academy with a few other familiar names, and while he usually wears...

Keir Gordon is loving life in London. The Liverpool native is down in London for work, and his short time with Ealing 1871 is going swimmingly.  He has settled into life at Vallis Way, and put in some impressive performances at centre and fullback. We look back on the big win before Christmas, the three home matches coming this weekend, and what his specialist subject will be at the club quiz...

He's back...Harry Vidler, a friend of the pod and match winner in the latest 1st XV victory, away to Finchley. The fly-half, and sometimes team captain, reflects on what he claims is "the best team performance since I've been at Ealing," and describes how the team fought back in heavy conditions. Harry also looks forward to the final match of the season, which will be played at home to Chiswick un...

Gereint Price, a first-teamer, local lad, and someone who is hugely refreshed after having a weekend off when Storm Darragh struck. We look back on his time at Vallis Way, well briefly as it covers 20 years, and look forward to the final two matches before Christmas, starting this Saturday when the first XV travel to Finchley. We also look forward to the highlight of the Christmas calendar and the...

Call him the prodigal son, call him the returning hero, or just call him Pat. Whatever you call him, Pat Nash has returned to his spiritual home and he couldn't be happier. His boots have less mud on, his golf clubs are packed away (well, in his boot) and he is smiling to be back among the troops at Vallis Way, after 11 months up the A40, and up a division with Amersham. He's already up to speed w...

Toby Holt, a boy when he joined the club, is now a man with serious responsibilities. Having been named club captain over pre-season, the one-time enfant terrible explains what the role entails, what he wants to bring as club captain, and how the players' committee are helping him out. We also look back on a dogged win on the road, and the ramifications as we turn our attention to the run-in to Ch...