Alumni of Royal Wootton Bassett RFC
How Rugby Made Me: Jonny May
Jonny May is well known for his electrifying pace as one of England Rugby's most prolific wingers of all time. In this edition of How Rugby Made Me, Jonny May finally slows down for a trip down memory lane with GBR host Alex Payne, revisiting Royal Wootton Bassett where his journey began. From humble beginnings to mind-blowing tries, strap in for the story of how rugby made Jonny May, as told in his own words.
Notable alumni
Billy Sela
Billy Sela is a Tighthead Prop for Bath Rugby and has played for England as part of the U18 and U20 squads.
Jonny May
English professional rugby union player who played for Premiership Rugby club Gloucester and formerly for the England national team.
He moved to Leicester Tigers in 2017 and returned to Gloucester in July 2020. He made his debut for England in 2013.
He earned 77 caps and scored 36 tries making him England’s second highest try scorer. He announced his retirement from international rugby in October 2023.
Gareth Evans
Between 2011 and 2019 Gareth played 85 times for Gloucester, and also played for the Ospreys in Wales.
He joined Leicester Tigers in August 2021, before retiring from the sport in November 2021.
Mike Baxter
England 16s & 18s
Bath Academy player then contracted to Premiership squad.
Played for Scotland in the Dubai International 7s.
Pippa Crews
Pippa played in New Zealand for a year, toured Australia as a member of England ladies tag team in 2001.
Member of England’s Ladies 44-player squad for the 2007 6-Nations.
Currently playing for Worcester.
Chris Patterson
England 18s
Chris played for Gloucester Academy and Development XV and is a current senior player at Royal Wootton Bassett.
Elliot Read
Filton College (Bristol Rugby), Dings Crusaders, Leicester Tigers Academy, Moseley, Coventry.
David Parker
Full-back for England U18 club side.
Karl Brant
Played England U16’s & U18’s.
Karl had some success at college rugby with Filton before playing with Chippenham and then returning to Bassett.
RWBRFC Presidents / Chairmen
1971-1972 Peter Arkell / David Brown
1972-1973 Peter Arkell / David Brown
1973-1974 Peter Arkell / Mike Leighfield
1974-1975 Peter Arkell / Mike Leighfield
1975-1976 Peter Arkell / Mike Leighfield
1976-1977 Peter Arkell / Mike Leighfield
1977-1978 Peter Arkell / John Wilks
1978-1979 Peter Arkell / John Wilks
1979-1980 Peter Arkell / Mike Leighfield
1980-1981 Peter Arkell / Mike Leighfield
1981-1982 Peter Arkell / Mike Leighfield
1982-1983 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1983-1984 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1984-1985 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1985-1986 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1986-1987 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1987-1988 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1988-1989 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1989-1990 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1990-1991 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1991-1992 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1992-1993 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1993-1994 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1994-1995 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1995-1996 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1996-1997 Richard Bradley / Mike Leighfield
1997-1998 Richard Orton / Mike Leighfield
1998-1999 Richard Orton / Mike Leighfield
1999-2000 Richard Orton / Mike Leighfield
2000-2001 Peter Orton / Mike Leighfield
2001-2002 Peter Orton / Alec Adams
2002-2003 Peter Orton / Alec Adams
2003-2004 Peter Orton / Alec Adams
2004-2005 Peter Orton / Phil Williams
2005-2006 Peter Orton / Phil Williams
2006-2007 Peter Orton / Phil Williams
2007-2008 Peter Orton / Phil Williams
2008-2009 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2009-2010 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2010-2011 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2011-2012 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2012-2013 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2013-2014 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2014-2015 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2015-2016 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2016-2017 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2017-2018 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2018-2019 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2019-2020 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2020-2021 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2021-2022 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2022-2023 Mark Wightman / Chris Elias
2023-2024 Andrew Gassor / Chris Elias
2024-2025 Andrew Gassor / Chris Elias
2025-2026 Andrew Gassor / Chris Elias
RWBRFC First XV Captains
1971-1972 David Brown
1972-1973 John Jones
1973-1974 Jim Dartnell
1974-1975 Graham Short
1975-1976 Jim Dartnell
1976-1977 Hamish Forbes-Keith
1977-1978 Ian Midson
1978-1979 Ian Midson
1979-1980 Gwyn Davies
1980-1981 Brian Smith
1981-1982 Ian Midson
1982-1983 Peter Upton
1983-1984 Ian Forbes-Keith
1984-1985 Eddie Kernoghan
1985-1986 Gwyn Davies
1986-1987 Tony Cox
1987-1988 Stuart Pryde
1988-1989 Kevin Griffiths
1989-1990 Steve Pinniger
1990-1991 Steve Milner
1991-1992 George Loughlin
1992-1993 Sean Millwaters
1993-1994 Steve Bloomer
1994-1995 John Ricketts
1995-1996 John Ricketts
1996-1997 John Ricketts
1997-1998 John Ricketts
1998-1999 Dave Floyd
1999-2000 John 'Hos' Wall
2000-2001 Ian 'Tiny' McLellan
2001-2002 Ian 'Tiny' McLellan
2002-2003 Andrew 'Taff' Lock
2003-2004 Mark Roshier
2004-2005 Dave Floyd
2005-2006 Dave Floyd
2006-2007 Dave Floyd
2007-2008 Dave Floyd
2008-2009 Dave Floyd
2009-2010 Dave Floyd
2010-2011 Gary Williamson
2011-2012 Gary Williamson
2012-2013 Nick Parker (resigned) Dave Martin
2013-2014 Tim Gallimore
2014-2015 Tim Gallimore
2015-2016 Dave Hogg
2016-2017 Dave Hogg
2017-2018 Dave Hogg
2018-2019 Gavin Ougan
2019-2020 Gavin Ougan
2020-2021 Gavin Ougan
2021-2022 Gavin Ougan
2022-2023 Gavin Ougan
2023-2024 Gavin Ougan
2024-2025 Gavin Ougan & Sam Baker
2025-2026 Gavin Ougan
RWBRFC Life Members
Life Membership of Royal Wootton Bassett RFC is a very great honour and is only awarded to members who have contributed enormously to the success of our club.
Some members have had their efforts rewarded retrospectively after their untimely deaths, whilst the rest are still actively involved with promoting the name of Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club.
Below is a list of our Honorary Life Members and the year awarded:
1976 Bob Campbell
1976 Vernon Nation
1977 Mike Leighfield
1979 Colin Bullock
1980 Fred Davies
1981 Hamish Forbes-Keith
1984 Terry Aylett
1986 Ian Forbes-Keith
1987 Richard Bradley
1992 Steve Milner
1993 Wendy Burchell
1994 Jim Brierley
1996 Colin Applegate
1997 Alan Belding
1998 Mark Scholes
1998 David Baldry
2000 Peter Orton
2001 Brian Smith
2002 Roy Wright
2004 Steve Cameron
2004 Sam Heaphy
2008 Sylvia Smith
2010 Dave Floyd
2011 Julie Bloxham
2011 Alec Adams
2012 Ian Midson
2012 Barry Taylor
2013 Gary ‘Ted’ Edwards
2016 Roy Blackburn
2016 Roger Harries
2017 Les Birch
2017 Phil Williams
2019 George Loughlin
2019 Elizabeth Floyd
2024 Mark Wightman
2024 Chris Sugden
Senior Club Person award
2014-2015 - RWBRFC Grounds Team
2015-2016 - Sam Allen
2016-2017 - Jim and Laura Brierley
2017-2018 - Karen Wilkinson
2018-2019 - Martin Chard
2019-2020 - Phil Cohen
2020-2021 - Awarded to the whole club for enduring Covid19 lockdown
2021-2022 - Caitlin Williams
2022-2023 - James Booth
2023-2024 - Herman Van Waveren
2024-2025 – Kevin Kessell
Junior Club Person award
2013-2014 - Eddie Geerah
2014-2015 - Rhys Floyd
2015-2016 - Chris Roshier
2016-2017 - Evan Vaughan-Lewis
2017-2018 - Jackson Allen and Jamie Wilkinson
2018-2019 - Evie Bowers
2019-2020 - Ed Washbourne
2020-2021 - Awarded to the whole club for enduring Covid19 lockdown
2021-2022 - Evan Marsh-Ballard
2022-2023 - Harvey Cook
2023-2024 - Amy Moody
2024-2025 – Finley Low
