FROM childhood supporter, to mini, to junior, to 1st XV and all other Senior sides, 7s player, to tag and now a Junior coach, Nick Flynn has a story to tell from when he first watched Rams back in 1982.

And it’s a tale which speaks volumes about the ethos of the club.

Nick explains his first thoughts of Old Bath Road when commenting: “My dad took us up to watch the first and second team in 1982 - we loved it and the following Sunday he took us to Mini’s training.

“It was very different back then, with squads of 10 or so with one coach, but we were made to feel welcome and I have stayed ever since.

“I have played for all the senior teams including the Sevens team, touch and in recent years the hugely successful tag teams run by Gareth Warwick.”

On the XV’s field, Nick’s finest individual campaign came in the 1997/98 season, when Rams earned promotion as runners-up from Berkshire, Dorset and Wiltshire One and he grabbed six tries – but he remains extremely modest.

He confessed: “I am not sure I can remember that far back! But it may have been when my brother (Jez) was playing at scrum-half.

“If you chased him around the field enough, he eventually would pass the ball, but naturally he preferred to score himself!”

As Rams started to claw their way up the various rungs of the English rugby ladder, Nick was part of a title-winning Southern Counties South side in 2000/01, but he believes the basis of that success was founded a couple of years earlier.

He admitted: “For me the success started in 1999 when we went on a 7s tour to Benidorm and won against the odds.

“We repeated that success the following year and it simply led to the club having more confidence and belief.

“We always had the players, but success was limited. Winning 7s tournaments and attracting new players created a winning mentality which we hadn’t had for some time.”

“And while it’s not been all successes over the last 20 years, I don’t think anyone could imagine the strength of the club today back then.”

With such a long connection with the club, it’s unsurprising Nick confessed he has a lot of favourite colleagues.

He started: “Many!

“The first player I met was JJ Bell, and we have been mates since. Over the years I have made lifetime friends and I see many of them most weeks. Jason McMahon, Graham Oakley, Dave Randell, Paul Yarrow, Toby Wilson, Andy Saunders and many more.

“They are all also involved in our minis coaching teams.”

And it is this link between the former players turned coaches which is something Nick is proud of, and believes benefits the club – a vast difference from when he began.

He said: “We now have some 40-60 players in most age groups, often with 10 coaches who are qualified and or accredited by Mike Tewkesbury.

“Each Sunday, 100s descend on the club and will hopefully be the club’s future.”

“(Chairman) Andy Lynch said to me a few years back ‘if you can get just one or maybe two players from your age group into the first team you will have done a great job.

“While I understand the sentiment and challenge, we are looking for at least five to make the grade.”

He continued: “Despite Covid we are still expanding and are getting new players each week. They are made to feel very welcome by the coaches and the players.

“Once we are happy they understand the basics of the game and are safe in the tackle, they get stuck in. It’s very rare they don’t come back, and in most cases, they are dragging the parents to the club shop for RAMS kit after the first week or two!”

With the ever-expanding minis and junior section far beyond what Nick experienced back in 1982, he has no doubt as to what encourages more and more youngsters to flock to Old Bath Road.

He revealed: “The real game changer has been the link between the mini/juniors and the Senior Squad.

“For the kids to provide the guard of honour on first team games and then the players come over for Paul Clark to take pictures under the posts is incredible.

“With the first team returning the support by coming to Sunday morning training makes a huge difference. For the kids to learn from current first-team players completes the circle.

“The following Saturday you hear the kids screaming the players names in support.”

And it is on this note where Nick reflects on whether he has been surprised by the club’s development.

He concludes: “Yes and No. The club always felt like a great place to be - decent facilities and great people.

“But developing the clubhouse and changing the name (while initially I was unimpressed) was inspired.

“When I used to wear Redingensians kit a few die hard local rugby fans would ask how we were getting on, now with the Rams brand growing and everyone being able to say the name, I get asked about the club all the time.”

With the National Cup due to start in February and a mouth-watering group also including Chinnor, Henley, Rosslyn Park, Barnes and Esher, Nick is excited for the new year.

He finished: “I cannot wait. For decades, Saturday afternoon has been about playing rugby, and the last few years about watching the First Team. We will be ready, home or away to cheer the team on. I desperately hope we can start this very odd season in the same form as last. I am sure they can!”