Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Podcast

Zoe Cox, Ealing 1871 Women's hooker is chasing the international dream this summer, with the England Deaf Women's team. After Zoe discovered that she was profoundly deaf during Covid-19, she has progressed through the team and is in line to tour South Africa with England in August. Guest host Toby Holt is on hand with Jez to find out how she got to this point, who has inspired her along the way, what playing without hearing aids is like, and what the tour to South Africa will entail. To help Zoe get to South Africa, donate here - https://www.gofundme.com/f/pdgz89-south-africa-2024#bleedgreen

With the 2023-24 season over, who better to look back on the season just gone than 1st XV captain Lewis Steadman? We review a season that earned the 1st XV promotion from Herts/Middlesex Counites 2 to Herts/Middlesex Counties 1 and featured a run to the Papa John Cup quarterfinals. Lewis picks out which players stood out? How the new coaches fared? What the off-field highlights were? And which club servants we are waving goodbye to. #BleedGreen

Ealing 1871 Women's captain Sarah Taws is our guest this week to tell us all about the team and how their season has gone.After three years, the flyhalf has helped the team grow, develop and learn, while this season they have also benefitted from head coach Andrew 'Quicky' Quick and his team, including members of the Ealing Trailfinders Women's professional team.We talk about the season gone, how the team has grown and how they have one final challenge before celebrating the season's end.

Harry Vidler, may have had the 1st XV captaincy dropped on him, but once the surprise of seeing (C) next to his name on the teamsheet had dissipated, he led the team in supreme fashion. His assignment...lead the team to the sunny (and windy) Essex coast to beat Burnham on Crouch and progress to the next round of the Papa John's Trophy, and he responded by guiding the team to a 56-26 victory that sets up a match against Basildon at Vallis Way on Saturday. We look back on the win, the season so far, what his song choice was, and just where the Bronson Cup is....#BleedGreen

Liam McDonagh, a lifer at Ealing 1871, a boy who became a man, met his wife, married, and started a family while giving his all for the green and white shirt has something to tell you...Before then though, we look forward to our final league match of the season, the brotherhood of west London clubs, a potential cup run, and his Easter egg of choice.#BleedGreen

Alex Kritikos, an Ealing man through and through, since he first rolled up to Vallis Way when barely out of nappies. After a few years living in Sydney, he's back and doing what he does best, handing out the boshes. It almost came to an end though, and he tells us how a collapsed lung threatened not just his ability to charge around a rugby field and hand out pain bombs, but his long-term health too. Thankfully, now fully recovered, Alex tells us about his love for the club and why it was one of his first ports of call after he moved back to London. #BleedGreen

Stan Clausen may be an ex-Royal Marine, but his military discipline is still being brought to bear for Ealing 1871. Tasked with ensuring players are signed up in time for matches and training, good luck to anyone who hasn't signed up as soon as they can. (Just to be sure, get signed up for next week now!!!!!).He also tells us about life as a Royal Marine, how he found a team sport of choice later in life, and just how silver Lewis and Josh Steadman's tongues are. #BleedGreen

Jack Hobbs has spent most of his life playing at Ealing Trailfinders, from rugby rats on the back paddock to running around for the 1871 firsts on the stadium pitch. Last Friday was a big night for Jack and the club as the first team secured their promotion to Counties 1 Herts/Middx , and he helps review a memorable evening.He also marks your card for Saturday 23 March when 1871 go head-to-head with Brunel University where both teams will be pushing for the title.#BleedGreen

Sometime-host Toby Holt returns by popular demand to share a convivial chat about all things Ealing 1871. The winger-turned-flanker, talks about his new-found fitness passion, his attempts to woo his local cafe into some sponsorship, and how he spent Valentine's Day. Toby also looks forward to the weekend's fixtures and the 1st XV's trip to Twyford Avenue to face local rivals Wasps. #BleedGreen