On Tuesday evening at the Bristol and District Rugby Combination Member clubs’ meeting, Neil Tucker was presented with the Ted Arnold Trophy by David Woodward, former Bristol player and current chairman of the Bristol Rugby Former Players Association, founded in 1929.

The Ted Arnold Trophy was donated by Malcolm Pearce, former Chairman of Bristol FC (just pre-Bears era), who named it after Ted Arnold, a staunch supporter of the club for many, many years.

Originally, it was presented to people within the Bristol club, like great past Bristol players Paul Hull and Matt Salter.

Eventually, it was decided, by the Bristol Former Players Association, through their own officers and committee, that they should present it annually to community rugby based deserving candidates.

Neil Tucker is the latest worthy recipient of this trophy. This is what was said about him at that meeting:

"Neil Tucker joined Clevedon rugby club at the age of sixteen - 36 years ago and has rarely been home since.

Neil had a brief stint at age grade rugby before quickly progressing into the Colts and showing what was to come by immediately becoming Captain. On into senior rugby Neil became the 2nd XV captain between 1994 -98 and first XV Captain between 2005 - 2007.

A hard, tenacious member of the front row union he went on to play over 500 senior games for the club eventually retiring from the game in 2018 after 31 seasons. As you might expect during such an illustrious playing career, he won just about every award the club has, players player, Captains tankard, although most tries in a season and the kicking cup just alluded him. On retirement he then immediately took on the role of 1st XV bag man and assistant referee.

If the above were not illustrious enough, “Tucks” has coached numerous age grade sides from minis to colts, bringing on numerous players into the senior sides. The junior side of the club flourished under his guidance as Youth chairman into the vibrant part of the club that remains its core now and he is still down on a Sunday morning helping with the U6’s and & 7’s. Tucks has completed over 30 years on the Clubs committee, becoming club secretary in 2017 and then Chairman in 2019, which he continues to fill to this day.
It is however work that is less obvious that demonstrates why he has won this award. He has set up working links with Clevedon Football and Cricket clubs to share ideas and opportunities. He has built links with our near rugby neighbours at Gordano, Nailsea & Blackwell and Yatton to do likewise.

A real community man, Neil looks for opportunities where the rugby club can give to and be part of the community, offering the club to be a vaccination centre during the Covid Pandemic, supporting Charities with a Charity weekend each year (current club charity being “Be more Ben”), being just a couple of such examples.

Like all community clubs, the last few years have been hard both financially and from keeping adult players in the game. That Clevedon finds itself in a strong financial position with good, young first and second XV is testament to his utter commitment to the community game. That he has achieved so much, supported by his amazing wife Vicky, makes him a worthy recipient of this award."

"A very proud moment indeed for Tucks and Clevedon Rugby Club."