Former captain of Cinderford RFC, Mike Wilcox, has re-signed for the club after four seasons playing for Hartpury RFC. Wilcox (29 today!) is a Quantity Surveyor at Smiths Gloucester Ltd and was captain of Cinderford RFC from 2014-16. Following Cinderford’s relegation from National One at the end of the 2015-16 season Wilcox joined Hartpury RFC and was part of the Hartpury side that won National One in 2016-17 without losing a game. For the past three seasons Wilcox, primarily a full back but also an experienced fly half, has been a part of Hartpury’s Championship squad.
Wilcox was born in Gloucester and played mini and juniors rugby at, firstly, Stroud RFC and subsequently Widden Old Boys until the age of 17. As part of the Gloucester Academy Wilcox was loaned out to Cinderford during his latter teenage years. He switched to the Bristol Academy at the age of 19 and was loaned out to the Old Patesians RFC and Cheltenham RFC before joining Cinderford in 2011 as a full playing member. Mike has accrued honours with England Under 16’s and 18’s as well as with the senior England Counties team. Mike played in two National County Under 20’s finals, at Twickenham, for Gloucestershire – captaining them to the title in 2011. He has played in the senior County Championship for Gloucestershire on numerous occasions.
Cinderford RFC Director of Rugby, Paul Morris, commented “Mikey is going to be a very popular signing with the Cinderford players and supporters alike. He and his family were held in high esteem by the club during his previous four year spell. Although the past season has been difficult for him at Hartpury he will be rejoining us as an even better player than in his original spell at the club. He is a very good player and his abilities will bring a new dimension to the squad. We believe he will again thrive in our environment and we will get the best out of each other. Mike has plenty of good playing days in front of him.”
Mike Wilcox said “I am very excited to be back at Cinderford. I really enjoyed my time at the club previously. Cinderford are in a great place at the moment and I can’t wait to get started and am looking forward to the season ahead.”