A big personality, Rob Payne has been at the club for over five years and became Club & 1st XV Captain in 2013. He has put his heart and soul into Oldfield and his enthusiasm, his indisputable bravery on the field, humour and ability to bring the best out of players will be sorely missed by everyone.

Commenting Rob said: “It's been an honour to captain the club over the past 3 seasons and I am sad to leave. Having said that, Ollie Hayes couldn't be a better replacement and I'm sure with his knowledge, experience and work ethic he will lead the team to where we want to be. I've given it my all since joining the club and got so much back in return, thanks to everyone who's played a part in that.”

On behalf of everyone at Oldfield we wish Rob every success in his new role at L&C in London and thank him once again for his loyalty and service to the Club.

Oldfield’s new Club & 1st XV Captain, Ollie Hayes started his playing career at Oldfield as a Colt and successfully went on to play for Bath Rugby, Bristol, Worcester Warriors & Yorkshire Carnegie before an injury cut his professional career short.

The Club was over the moon when Ollie decided to return to his roots and joined Oldfield’s Senior Coaching Staff last season. And whilst Ollie remains a part of the Coaching Staff alongside Director of Rugby Chris Lilley, Coaches Ben Gillow, Paul Tyrrell and Mark Lilley he was unanimously, voted in by the Coaches, Chairman and Players to become Oldfield’s new Club &1st XV Captain.

Chairman Pat Bunton said: "Ollie made an immediate impact as a player at the end of last season and as a Player/Coach this year his experience & professionalism will be invaluable. It's great to see a professional player returning to their roots in the amateur game and in a short time Ollie has already made a great impact, on and off the pitch."

The upcoming season will also see Matt Walker, a teacher at Beechen Cliff School and recipient of last seasons 2nd XV Player of the Year Award, become the Clubs new 2nd XV Captain, taking over the mantle from Rich Lewis-Morton, who had a very successful season last year. We are thrilled that Rich will continue to play and he will also have a big role supporting Matt on and off the field.

The Club is excited to see the strong and growing link with Beechen Cliff continue to develop, after all Oldfield Old Boys RFC was formed in 1950 when the school now called Beechen Cliff was called Oldfield Boys school.

The Clubs new joint 3rd XV Captains are true legends and Club Stalwarts. Kev Escott and his son Ben are teaming up to share the skipper’s duties and bring with them nearly forty years of experience and loyalty to Oldfield. They take over from Ian Coombes, who did a sterling job last season reigniting the 3rd team and he will be concentrating on playing for Oldfield, helping Kev & Ben and also on his new role within the Player Leadership Group.

We cannot thank Rob Payne, Rich Lewis-Morton and Ian Coombes enough for all their hard work, commitment and passion in their capacities as Captains and we wish Ollie Hayes, Matt Walker, Kev Escott & Ben Escott every success in their new roles.

New for this season is a Player Leadership Group, comprising of Senior Players from all three senior sides.

This group evokes the spirit of Oldfield’s, One Club mantra and they are Arron Collins-Thomas, Jacob Adams, Dan Harrington, Rickie Gibson, Ian Coombes, Sam White and Dan Green. Amongst other things they will help to organize a long awaited Club Tour, social events and other Club orientated tasks.

Pre-season training has been moving along positively with great numbers and all new players are welcome to join in every Tuesday & Thursday evening, from 7pm at Shaft Road.

If you would like to contact Chris Lilley or any other member of the Coaching Staff, please click on the link for their contact details…http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oldfieldoldboys/contact/

Oldfield’s pre-season friendlies commence on Wednesday 24 August, with a mix of our 2nd XV & 3rd XV boys away at Colerne and our 1st XV boys at home on Thursday, 25 August against Trowbridge.

A full schedule of all three Senior Teams League Fixtures can be viewed on the website…http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oldfieldoldboys/teams/