Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Podcast

WARNING - EMOTIONS WILL RUN HIGH Callum Jones swings by the podcast to say a fond farewell for now to life with Ealing Trailfinders 1871. The fly-half has grown from boy to man at Vallis Way, but now he is heading to Perth, Australia, to try his hand in the southern hemisphere. Before he leaves, though, he joins us to talk through the second XV season, what life at the club means to him, and why he expects his couch to be in high demand when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in his new home city. #BleedGreen Results Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV 32-24 London Irish Wild Geese (H) Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV 26-10 Saracens Amateurs (H) Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women 96-0 Teddington (A) Fixtures - Sunday 8 November Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Old Rutlishian Ironsides (H) 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wayne Vidler, Ealing 1871's photographer, is a familiar face on the sidelines at Trailfinders Sports Club and beyond, bringing matches to life with his great photography. Wayne sits down to talk about how he developed the photography bug, what makes a good photo, and how proud a father he is most weekends. He also tells us about his experiences with prostate cancer and what men can do to improve their survival chances if they develop it. #BleedGreen Friday 30 October Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Saracens Ams (H) 20.00 Saturday 31 October Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v London Irish Wild Geese (H) 17.30 Sunday 1 November Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women 1st XV v Teddington Antlers (A) 14.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Livai Naga has made a strong impression since joining Ealing Trailfinders 1871, scoring three tries in his first two appearances. We grab the big back-rower to talk about his Fijian roots, his upbringing in Northern Ireland, and his instrument of choice. Livai helps us look back over another good weekend for the club, and ahead to the next challenge in Regional 2 Thames. #BleedGreen Saturday 24 October Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Harpenden (H) 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Harrow (A) 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Hanwell (A-Wasps) 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Wimbledon (A) 14.00 Sunday 25 October Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women 2nd XV - Inner Warrior Tournament (H) 14.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Parry joins us to talk all things Regional Thames 2, after the first XV began with two wins and a defeat. The latest win came under the lights of Vallis Way, and was a memorable performance for all who were there. The hooker looks back on the first few weeks at level six, how the team has adapted, and how his recovery from injury has gone. We also look ahead to the first club weekend of the season, with all three teams at home, and a pre-match meal to fuel our passionate fans ( tickets here ). #BleedGreen Saturday 17 October Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Grasshoppers (H) 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Finsbury Park (H) 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Finsbury Park 2nds (H) 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ealing Trailfinders' first and second XVs made a winning start to the 2026-27 season, with wins on the road against Teddington Stags and Hendon. We catch up with club captain Toby Holt, who brings us up to speed on all the action. We discuss discipline, drop goals, pre-match pitch clearances, and what the best type of victory is. #BleedGreen Saturday 3 October Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Aylesbury (A) 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Kilburn Cosmos (A) 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Old Isleworthians (A) 15.00 Sunday 4 October Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Torquay Athletics (H) 11.30 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV - Inner Warrior Tournament - Finsbury Park RFC 14.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. #BleedGreen Saturday 26 September Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV - Teddington Stags (A) 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV - Hendon (A) 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. #BleedGreen Saturday 18 April Ealing Trailfinders 3rd XV v Chiswick - 12.30 (H) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. #BleedGreen Saturday 28 March Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v UCS (A) - 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. #BleedGreen Friday 20 March Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Hampstead (H) - 19.45 Saturday 21 March Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v West London (A) - 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Uxbridge and Ickenham (H) - 12.30 Sunday 22 March Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women 1st XV v Kilburn Cosmos (H) - 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toby Holt and Jacob Pepper join us for a catch-up after the weekend's club day, a day with all three teams in action. Toby fills us in on each team's progress, which includes promotion, cup runs, and title races, while Jacob brings us up to date on how the 1871 Women's team got on in their latest match. We also hear about plans for the end-of-season dinner, and why Friday 15 May should be inked in your diary now. #BleedGreen Saturday 14 March Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Old Actionans (A) 14.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has been too long between visits, so this Wednesday we headed to Vallis Way on a Wednesday night to catch up with the Ealing 1871 Women's team. The side has been growing exponentially, is running two teams, has welcomed players who thought their playing days were over, and those who wanted to try the sport for the first time. We find out all about their progress from club stalwart Eden Comins. We also meet one of their coaches from the professional ranks, Rachel Malcolm, Scotland's most capped captain, to find out how she became involved. #BleedGreen Sunday 8 March Ealing 1871 Women v Wimbledon (A) - 15.00 Saturday 7 March Ealing 1871 Men 1st XV v Wasps (H) - 14.00 Ealing 1871 Men 2nd XV v Twickenham (H) - 14.00 Ealing 1871 Men 3rd XV v Hanwell (H) - 13.30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is club day this Saturday, and we chat to two of the players aiming to show their wares to Ealing 1871's fans - Jack Feeney and Will Day. Jack joins us fresh from helping the seconds earn promotion to Middlesex Premier with a 62-5 victory over Old Streetonians. He also tells us about life in New Zealand, and how spending three years there helped his game immensely. Then, Will Day joins us to look forward to the first XV's upcoming match against local rivals Wasps, and what it means to their season. #BleedGreen Saturday 7 March Ealing 1871 1st XV v Wasps (H) - 14.00 Ealing 1871 2nd XV v Twickenham (H) - 14.00 Ealing 1871 3rd XV v Hanwell (H) - 13.30 Sunday 8 March Ealing 1871 Women v Wimbledon (A) - 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KavanFitzpatrick, a long-time member of the Ealing Trailfinders 1871 squad, second team vice-captain, and now a promotion chaser. The second XV are on the verge of winning promotion to Middlesex Premier, but need to overcome Old Streetonians at home to do so. The sides meet in a Friday Night's Light clash at Vallis Way with promotion as the prize. Kav tells us all about the season so far, the players to look out for, and why he wasn't playing last weekend. #BleedGreen Friday 27 February Ealing 1871 2nd XV v Old Streetonians (H) - 19.45 Saturday 28 February Ealing 1871 1st XV v Old Streetonians (A) - 14.00 Ealing 1871 3rd XV v Whitton Lions (A) - 14.00 Sunday 1 March Ealing 1871 Women 2nd XV v Battersea Ironside 3rd XV (A) - 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the Ealing 1871 podcast. It was a quiet couple of weeks, but we return with another new face to the club, Cillian Corkery, who made his debut earlier this year against Finchley. We find out about this Wexford lad, who is settling into life in west London and bringing the skills he honed at the renowned Limerick side, Shannon RFC. We also look back on what's happened at the club over the past few weeks, what it was like to train with two figures from the professional side, and wonder if the rain will ever stop. #bleedgreen Saturday 14 February Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Old Haberdashers (A) - 14.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Old Priorians (H) - 14.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Northolt (A) - 14.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We headed to Vallis Way on a Saturday for a day where all three teams were in action, and while that didn't pan out as expected, with only the second team's match going ahead, it was still a memorable day for 1871. We hear from third team captain Danny Ford on what they got up to, and grab head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith for a few words on how he enjoyed the day, his lunch, and what is coming up this weekend. Now he's a wise old head, Danny is guiding a team made up of young hopefuls and old faces who can't say no to a run, and what a job he is doing. Here he tells us all about it. #BleedGreen BREAKING - Women's 2nd XV will play their first match, at home to Battersea Ironsides, Sunday 25 January at 15.00. Get down and give them a shout! Results Saturday 17 January Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Ruislip (H) Home Walk Over Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v London Cornish (H) 53-7 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Old Isleworthians (H) 25-20 Sunday 18 January Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women 43-5 v Barnes Fixtures Saturday 24 January Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Saracens Amateurs (H) 14.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v London Japanese (H) 14.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Finsbury Park 2nds (H) 14.00 Sunday 25 January Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women 2nd XV v Battersea Ironsides (H) 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Steadman is our twinkle-toed outside back, who is a danger no matter where he is on the pitch. He is also as elusive off the pitch, so with a mixture of charm and determination, we've got him on the pod. We look back on the weekend's victory over Finchley, which pushed the first XV into top spot, and reflect on the growing depth at the club and its effect on our teams' results. There is also the chance to look forward to this weekend's action, with all three teams in action at Vallis Way on Saturday, preceded by a club lunch ( book here ) #BleedGreen Saturday 17 January Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Ruislip (H) - 14.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v London Cornish (H) - 14.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Old Isleworthians (H) - 14.00 Sunday 18 January Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Barnes (H) - 15.00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harrison Slater is first up in 2026, and he tells us all about his Christmas and New Year break, resisting the temptations on hand, and hitting the ground running with plenty of challenges ahead. This season, he has taken on the captaincy of the second team, and they are going great guns under his leadership. Fifteen points clear at the top of Middlesex Merit Table 1, can they keep that form going in 2026? #BleedGreen Saturday 10 January Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Finchley (H) - 15.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v London Welsh (A) - 13.00 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Chiswick (A) - 12.30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is the time of year we take a breather, take stock and celebrate the festivities. Christmas and New Year mean no rugby for the next few weeks, and a chance for the lads to show their discipline by not overdoing the food and drink. To round up a fantastic 2025, we catch up with head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith to look back on a year which ended with all four 1871 teams winning before heading off for the Twelve Pubs of Ealing. We talk players, matches, what he wants in his stocking (Ealing Trailfinders 1871 pyjamas), and what we can look forward to when it starts in the new year. Merry Christmas and Bleed Green. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.