Tim Stanbridge
Mini & Junior, Senior, Physio, Coach and all round Clubman!

The sad news of the passing of Tim “Stanners” Stanbridge has hit the Club hard. His absence in the last couple of months was noticed immediately and there was already ‘something missing’ on match days. – so, to hear he’d played his final whistle took everyone with surprise...and sadness.

Stanners meant so much to so many here at the Club, a Club he had been a part of since the mid 1970s when he first joined our newly formed Mini & Junior section. Rather than listing all his accomplishments in rugby – because we would be here for too long – some words from those his rugby life touched and to whom he meant so much.

Tom Salsbury, Club President
“Pretty much like everyone else the news about Stanners really knocked me sideways. He was right up at the top end of the list of life’s good guys and has been taken from us far too soon.

I first met Stanners when we were 16/17 years old and playing in the lower senior sides. Our playing careers seemed to track each other…..we both started at Olney, I went over to the Saints when I was 18 and Tim came over when he finished Uni - we played loads of games together for the Wanderers and Crusaders. When we finished at Saints we both ended up back ‘home’ at Olney playing many games together for the 1st XV.
One of my favourite memories of playing with Tim was when I gave him a bollocking during a match over at Bedford Queens. Now Stanners hadn’t got a bad bone in his body but this Saturday he turned up in a bad mood and seemed wound up from the very start. Midway through the second half something happened and Tim snapped, putting a peach of a right hook onto the chin of his opposite number….i was amazed & stunned that Stanners had actually thrown a punch. My admiration quickly disappeared though as the punch had hardly landed before Tim firstly apologised to the guy he punched then turned round and apologised to me ( I was captain), so the bollocking wasn’t for throwing the punch but for the apology!!
As mentioned by others, his pre match talks were legendary, at the end of them you never knew whether you wanted to go out and kick some arse or top yourself!!
When our playing days ended we still managed to stick together for a few years, me coaching and Stanners as physio.
I always enjoyed Stanners company, the last few years we’ve spent a lot of Saturday afternoons watching the 1sts and chatting about all sorts of stuff, he wouldn’t say it out loud but I know he was so proud that Hector was playing for the 1s.

Tim has been a great clubman, donning various hats and has put a lot of work and time into the club. After 45 or so years, rugby season Saturdays won’t be the same without seeing him about.

Rest in Peace my friend, I’m sure we’ll catch up again at that great rugby club in the sky”

Ross Stewart, DoR
“I first met Tim through East Midlands Rugby and coaching, and straight away I was struck by his energy and enthusiasm for the game. Those qualities never left him.
When Tim asked if I would consider coming over to Olney, it was pretty much an easy decision based on him alone. From the very beginning, he made Becky and me feel genuinely welcome and completely embodied everything that’s great about the club.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Tim’s enthusiasm and energy were the reason we ended up coming to Olney. For that, we will always be hugely grateful. We’ve had a fantastic time here and met some truly amazing people because of that decision.
I think Tim leaves us with a powerful example. If we can continue to uphold even a part of his energy, positivity, and love for the club, and use it to encourage new people to join both the club and the town, then his impact will continue to be felt for a long time to come.”

Matt Rawlings, Team Mate from M&J to Seniors
“Stanners. I’m still in shock, he’s just always been there. I first met Stanners back in early 70s at the start of mini rugby at the club, and then at Bedford Modern. He was 3 school years above me but in them days of mini rugby we all got grouped together, so we played together a lot. There’s a photo of a team from 1976/77 at the club where Stanners was captain and I was in the team, so I think we were all playing in U13s. We continued playing in the same teams through to senior rugby, lower down and into 2nds and 1sts. Stanners played in 2 Lewis Shield finals with me, in 1991 & 2, unfortunately losing both. He loved playing in the Lizard games when we finally got to take on the squirters from Bedford School, which was banned at school in them days. Always a character, always saying something funny – even if he meant it or not! The pre-match team talk Rick asked him to do before one game is legendary, if you ask me I’ll tell you about it.”

David Smith, Club Chairman
“Stanners, a true rugby man and a dear friend. His contribution to rugby at Olney, club rugby locally, through his roles with East Midlands (and beyond) and running his own 7s teams over the years cannot be understated. A man who has shown me unwavering support through my rugby journey both on and off the pitch which is something I am truly grateful for and, I am sure I'm one of many who can say this. I will specifically miss our chats at the bar over a pint of foaming ale with him telling me I might be one of the biggest wastes of talent he has ever seen...I'm sure it was compliment!! Rest easy Stanners.”

Chirs Day & Steve Grainger – M&J and Colts Coaches
“Stanners was a constant presence in his son Hector’s coaching group throughout all 13 years of minis and juniors rugby. Week in, week out, he mucked in wherever he was needed, coaching, patching up knocks, taping ankles and even marking out the pitches before kick-off.

He never missed a game. He could be a bit gruff on the touchline and his standards were high, but that was only because he cared so much about the boys and the club. He played his part in the team reaching the National Colts Cup Final and in their unforgettable Oceanic Cup win, the first in more than a hundred years, made all the more special as it was Hector who captained the side that day.”

The Club would like to extend it's condolences to Tim's family and friends.

The funeral will be 1pm on Thursday 12 March at St Mary’s Church, Stevington - followed by refreshments at the rugby club. More details will be publicised closer to the date.

Family flowers only, donations in memory of Tim may be made to Willen Hospice via https://timothystanbridge.muchloved.com/

RIP Stanners...