[TB] Born in Feb 1962, I was raised in Yeadon, attended South View Infant & Junior School, and I started playing rugby when I went to Aireborough Grammar School, aged 11. There I played in the back row alongside Ian Tate, Simon Brayshaw et al, culminating several years later when I played in the school’s senior side alongside former England Captain and scrum half Nigel Melville – he played on the wing at school, and that year we were only being beaten by the then all boys schools of Leeds and Bradford Grammar sides.

There lies my affiliation to the club, and I have played since the mid-eighties other than a season at Headingley RFC in the early nineties, before they became Leeds RUFC, Leeds Carnegie and subsequently Yorkshire Carnegie... who knows what could have happened had I stayed put…

[Aire] So like many you found yourself in the front row as a convert. How did that happen?

[TB] I converted to prop to improve pack mobility (John Lockwood's suggestion I believe) whilst the club was Airebronians and playing at the original home of Emmerdale – Esholt. I have been part of the side in winning the Silver Trophy and the unbeaten side in the Division 4 title in the early 2000s, and most recently won the Aire/Wharfe Plate in 2016.

[Aire] Other than Aireborough, you mentioned being involved elsewhere over the years. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

[TB] I coached a junior side at our neighbours, Yarnbury RFC, as there was no junior rugby at ARUFC from 1997 until 2010. I also ran out very occasionally for their thirds / select side during that time when there wasn't an Aire game.

Outside of club rugby I played for West Yorkshire Police both divisionally (mainly as hooker in the early years because of the two very large props, Dennis Middleton and Cameron) and for the full force side, winning a number of annual Chiefs Cup competitions. I have continued to turn out for the Police since retiring in 2010, culminating in May 2016 as part of a Yorkshire side taking on The North at the home of Newcastle Falcons, Kingston Park, on what seems to be the future surface for Premiership rugby, 4G... not very forgiving on the knees I have to say.

I was asked to attend a very recent England Police RUFC training camp in the Midlands but sadly had to turn it down due to my current back injury situation (it was a last minute invite due to injury but was nice to be asked at 54!).

[Aire] You mentioned the “r” word (retirement) in a work sense – what about in a rugby sense?

[TB] Yes, I’m currently working for LCC as a Youth Justice Worker... don't ask. Rugby-wise I'm disappointed not to be playing currently as the side develops into a promising team. ARUFC is where my heart is... think I’m the last player to have been at the school it was all set up from. I love playing rugby.

Tim in 60s….
[Aire] Favourite colour? [TB]: Yellow (the 'house' colour of Coverley from AGS – the streets of the housing estate which now occupies the former school site are named after the four 'houses').
[Aire] Favourite other Aire player? [TB] Ollie Catherall – currently playing (1st XV) and coaching (U16s) at the club. Big heart for a small guy.
[Aire] Cold weather/warm weather games? [TB] I prefer cold wet games – brings everyone down to my level nowadays
[Aire] Scrum or lineout? [TB] I love all aspects of the game, but I guess the scrum if I had to pick one specific aspect.
[Aire] Hardest player you've played with? [TB] There’s a few: Nick Gledhill, Dave Greenwood, Paul Exley!!
[Aire] Best player you've played against? [TB] Tank @Northallerton
[Aire] Eggs or bacon? [TB] Bacon without question
[Aire] Favourite rugby memory? [TB] Personal memory was the Silver Trophy win and my 'testimonial'. All time rugby memory has to be the 2003 World Cup and Johnny's drop kick
[Aire] Rugby hero? [TB] Having played alongside Nigel Melville, he's up there alongside Steve Thompson who presented me with a signed Leeds Carnegie shirt at Nunroyd Park on the 1st Sept 2010 when the club hosted a testimonial game to mark my retirement from the police after 30 years’ service.
[Aire] Favourite changing room song? [TB] ‘Gold' has to be the current song, others have been erased from memory.
[Aire] Best dressed teammate? [TB] Chunky
[Aire] Most likely teammate to miss training? [TB] Lewis Eastwood