Chiefs Squad
DAVE WHELAN
1st Team Manager and Board member.
Born - Tipton St John Age - just over 49
Occupation - General Manager of Fords of Sidmouth
Dave is the Vice Chairman and Chair of the Building & Grounds committee. He is a convert from the round ball game, who was saved by former Captain and Chairman Duncan Nice. He started playing as a second row forward in 1980 and played over 200 games for the Chiefs. He was a member of the team which won the Devon Merit Table in 1985-86. He was on the Committee for more than 20 years, most of them as Vice Chairman. He managed the Colts until a few years ago and now manages many of the same players in the 1st Team.
NEIL CLARK
Head Coach
Age - 30 Height - 5ft 10in Weight - 109kg
Neil was born in London. he was educated at Helston School, Truro College and Exeter University. He was a late starter, taking up rugby at the age of 17. He is a professional rugby player, playing hooker for Exeter Chiefs. His previous clubs are Helston, Bristol and Bath. He has played for England at U18, U19, U21 and England students. He has also played for the Barbarians. His other interests are his family, surfing and boxing.
Favourite food - Pasta (lots of it) Favourite movie - Goonies
Favourite rugby player - Shaun Fitzpatrick
SAM RICHARDSON
Man of the Match against Thornbury
Position - Flanker/No 8 Age 23 Height 6ft 3in Weight 16st 0lb
Favourite food - steak Favourite film - The Shawshank Redemption
Favourite player - Richie McCaw
RHYS THOMAS
Man of the Match against Berry Hill
Position - Flanker/Hooker Age 28 Height 6ft 0in Weight 15st 5lb
Favourite food - everything! Favourite film - Top Gun
Favourite player - Richie McCaw
STEVE TRIM
Player of the Match against Clevedon
Position – Scrum Half Age – 30 Height – 5ft 9in Weight – 12st
Steve was born in Sidmouth as is the son of former Sidmouth 2nd row Ian Trim. He was educated at Sidmouth College and UWIC Cardiff. He works as a builder. He is a product of the Sidmouth Junior Section and has the distinction of being 1st XV captain for six consecutive seasons from 2004-2010, an achievement only exceeded by the Club’s founder Bingley Pullin. He has represented Devon at U20 level.
Favourite food – Baked beans Favourite movie – Naked Gun
Favourite rugby player – Joost van der Westhuizen
JAMIE WARDROP
Man of the Match against Paignton
Position - Full Back Age - 30 Height - 5ft 11in Weight - 12st 7lb
Jamie was born in Sidmouth and is the son of former Sidmouth full back Alan Wardrop. He was educated at Sidmouth College and the University of Gloucestershire. He works as a Careers Advisor. He is a product of the Sidmouth Junior section and is one of a few members of the present squad to have played more than 100 1st Team games. He was Player of the Year in 2004. Jamie is also a talented cricketer.
Favourite food - Haggis Favourite movie - Ghostbusters
Favourite rugby player - Gavin Hastings
TOM WHELAN
Player of the Match against Wadebridge Camels
Position - fly half/full back Age - 22 Height - 5ft 11in Weight - 13st
Tom is a Sidmothian. He was educated at Sidmouth College and now works as a Barman. He started playing rugby with Sidmouth Minis and has represented Devon at all age groups from U14 to Colts. His other interests are surfing and tennis.
Favourite food - chili Favourite movie - Catch Me If You Can.
Favourite rugby player - Sonny Boy Williams
ANDREW EUSTACE
Player of the Match against Paignton
Position - openside flanker Age - 23 Height - 5ft 10in Weight - 12st 7lb
Andrew was born in Exeter. He was educated at Sidmouth College, Exeter College and Cardiff University, where he studied Law. He started playing rugby with Sidmouth Juniors.
Favourite food: chilli Favourite movie: Marley and Me.
Favourite rugby player: Ollie Pyne
MATT FARRINGTON
Player of the Match against Cullompton
Position - tight head prop/hooker Age - 21 Height - 5ft 10in Weight - 93kg
Matt was born in Worksop. He was educated at Sidmouth College and now works as an electrician. He started playing rugby with Sidmouth Juniors and represented Devon at U20 level. His other interests are tennis and swimming.
Favourite foods: pasta and fajitas Favourite movie: You, Me and Dupree. Favourite rugby player Dylan Hartley.
CHRIS HIGGS
Player of the Match against Chosen Hill FP
Position - wing/centre Age - 21 Height - 6ft 2in Weight - 15st 5lb
Chris is a Sidmothian. He was educated at Sidmouth College and now works as a Maintenance Operative. He started playing rugby with Sidmouth Juniors before moving to Exeter Chiefs, where he played for the Colts. He returned to Sidmouth RFC three years ago. His other interests are tennis and cycling.
Favourite food: chicken - Favourite movie: Super Bad.
Favourite rugby player - William Ryder.
NICK MILLS
Player of the Season 2008-09 and 2009-10
Position - Second Row/No 6 Age - 30 Height - 6ft 3in Weight - 15st 0lb
Nick was born in Exeter, brought up in Seaton and lives in Sidford. He was educated at Colyton Grammar School and Bath University. He works as a Structural Engineer. He is a product of the Sidmouth Junior section and is another who has played more than 100 1st Team games. While at Bath, he played for the University and Stothert & Pitt. He has represented Devon U18s and Somerset U20s.
Favourite food - Potatoes Favourite movie - Superbad
Favourite rugby player - Colin Meads
LIAM O’CONNOR
Man of the Match against Paignton (Devon Cup)
Position - Prop Height - 5ft 8in Weight - 15st 7lb Age - 26
Liam was born in Exeter, where he now lives, and was brought up in Sidmouth. He was educated at Sidmouth College and now works in the building trade. He is a product of the Sidmouth Mini/Junior section and was in the Devon squad as an Under 15. He played for the Chiefs in his first season out of Colts. After a spell in the Quins, Liam has fought his way back into the Chiefs and is currently first choice loose head prop.
Favourite rugby player - Neil Clark Favourite food - Steak
Favourite movie - doesn’t have one
JACK PYNE
Man of the Match against Oldfield Old Boys
Position - 2nd Row/Backrow Height - 6ft 2in Weight - 17st 0lb Age - 27
Jack was born in Exeter and was brought up in Sidmouth where he now lives. He works in the family business, the Bedford Hotel / Jack’s Bar. He was educated at Taunton School. He is a product of the Sidmouth Mini/Junior section. After leaving school he played hockey to a good standard for a few years before returning to rugby. His other main interest is working out in the gym.
Favourite rugby player - Ollie Pyne Favourite food - Chicken and potato
Favourite movie - doesn’t have one
OLLIE PYNE
Man of the Match against Avonmouth Old Boys
Position - No 8/Flanker Age - 21 Height 6ft 2in Weight 16st 3lb
Ollie was born in Exeter and lives in Sidmouth. He was educated at St John’s School, Taunton School and UWIC. He works as bar manager at Pynes Bar. He is a product of the Sidmouth Mini/Junior section and represented Devon at U18 level, gaining a Man of the Match award.
Favourite food anything containing protein Favourite film Pumping Iron: the Arnie Years
Favourite Player - Andrew Eustace
DAN RETTER
1st XV Player of the Year 2008
Position – Fly Half Age – 26 Height – 5ft 10in Weight – 13st 0lb
Dan was born in Sidmouth and is the son of former Sidmouth captain Geoff Retter. He was educated at Sidmouth College and Taunton School. He works as a revenue inspector. He is a product of the Sidmouth Junior Section and also played for Three Shires and Bath as a junior. He played senior rugby for Taunton before returning to Sidmouth. He represented Somerset from U13 to U16, and Devon at U18 and U20. His other sporting interests are sailing and tennis.
Favourite food – Indian Favourite movie – Rocky I to V
Favourite rugby player – Dan Carter
