Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Podcast

It is a big season ahead with the first XV about to run out at level six - Regional Two Thames - for the first time, and the second XV ready to start life in Counties Middlesex 2, so we catch up with head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith to find out what's happened since we last chatted. Smudger brings us up to date on pre-season matches, new arrivals, bronco tests and what the rise to level six means to the club. He also tells what Friday evening before the big kickoff will feel like. #BleedGreenSaturday 26 SeptemberEaling Trailfinders 1871 1st XV - Teddington Stags (A) 15.00Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV - Hendon (A) 15.00

The season is over, the kit has been packed away, the balls deflated, and bodies given the chance for a rest...so here we are looking back on a remarkable season for all three men's 1871 teams. We catch up with head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith, club captain Toby Holt and first XV skipper Lewis Steadman to reflect on the past campaign. There are lots of highlights to look back on with pride, promotions, cup finals, new faces and some spectacular rugby. For now, we'll all take a break until it all kicks off again in September. Enjoy your summer and above all, #bleedgreen

For club servant Danny Ford, a trophy has been a long time coming. A veteran of two final defeats and three semi-final losses, he finally got his mitts on some silverware when he led the thirds to victory in the MMT Vase by beating Old Actionians 26-24 thanks to some last-minute heroics. Danny tells us all about the match, who did what and when, and who came up with the big moments. We also discuss the second team's progression to the NW Middlesex Cup final, and look forward to a day of celebration at the club on Saturday when the thirds play their Merit Table semi-final, and the firsts get given the red carpet treatment at half-time on the pro team's Championship fixture. #BleedGreenSaturday 18 AprilEaling Trailfinders 3rd XV v Chiswick - 12.30 (H)

Spring has sprung, the clocks have changed, the evenings are lengthening, and Easter will soon be here. With this natural break, we hear from head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith, who brings us up to date with the activities of the three teams and an exciting challenge on Good Friday. We find out how plans are going for next season, our first in level six, and who we can see coming in to help us adjust to the next level up. Phil also reveals what his Easter egg of choice is. Happy Easter and #bleedgreen

It has been a huge week for Ealing 1871. On Friday, under the Vallis Way lights, the first XV secured promotion to Regional 2 Thames after a 48-5 win over Hampstead gave the team the Counties 1 Middlesex title. To look back on that momentous night and the club's rise up the leagues, we bring in the man at the top, the man who lifted the trophy in quite an excitable fashion, Lewis Steadman. He tells us all about the match, what it means, who to thank, what the plan is now, and how important it is to buy your club dinner (Friday 15 May) ticket as soon as possible. There is still one more match, so all eyes are on this weekend's encounter. #BleedGreenSaturday 28 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v UCS (A) - 15.00

Long-time friend of the podcast, Pat Nash, joins us to talk through how a concussion has ruled him out for the rest of the season. He tells us what caused his concussion, how quickly the club's staff took care of him, where he is on the return to play protocol, and how concussion recovery has changed since he started playing. We also look ahead to a huge match for Ealing 1871 1st, the club dinner, tour, golf day and plenty of other things to sign up for. #BleedGreenFriday 20 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Hampstead (H) - 19.45Saturday 21 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v West London (A) - 15.00Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Uxbridge and Ickenham (H) - 12.30Sunday 22 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 Women 1st XV v Kilburn Cosmos (H) - 15.00