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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Aidan Jones is slowly making his way back to full fitness, but at the same time, he's learning a new role, having been shoved out of the second row engine room, into the back row.

He is someone who can't stay away from the club after his rugby-playing father dragged him down when he was about 11. While he disappeared down the M4 to Bristol for university, he soon made it his destination of choice on a Saturday once he graduated.

We catch up as Aidan tells us all about the recent success on the field, his journey with the club, and how much planning went into the 12 pubs of Christmas.

#BleedGreen

Saturday 13 December

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Men's 1st XV v Chiswick (A) 15.00

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Men's 2nd XV v Grasshoppers (A) 14.00

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Men's 3rd XV v Belsize Park (H) 14.00

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Kilburn Cosmos (A) 12.30

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Liam Mulvihill may not have been the first person in his household to attend training at Vallis Way, but he is certainly glad that he followed his girlfriend, who had signed up with Ealing 1871 Women's 'Learn to Play' course and told him to get his boots back on.

After a year out of the game, he came down to training and hasn't looked back since. The Dubliner quickly found his stride, and he is now a firm fixture in the second team, with a cameo or two in the first team as well.

We discuss the differences between Irish and English club rugby, West London's rivalries, and how he's adjusting to life in London.

#BleedGreen

Saturday 29 November

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Wasps (A) - 14.00

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Ruislip (A) - 14.00

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Hanwell (A) - 14.00

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Sometimes you have to scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find gold, and that is what happened in this week's episode with third team stalwart Callum Neal.

We cover a range of topics, from what representing Ealing Trailfinders 1871 means to him, to growing up across La Manche, to handling pieces of rock and roll history, to finding a new flatmate on the field of play, to captaining the side under the Friday night lights.

What brought him to the club, and what keeps him here. Find out in this enthralling episode.

#BleedGreen

Saturday 22 November

Ealing 1871 1st XV v Old Streetonians (H) - 15.00

Ealing 1871 2nd XV v Rosslyn Park Bs (H) - 14.00

Ealing 1871 3rd XV v HAC (H) - 14.00

Sunday 23 November

Ealing 1871 Women v Wimbledon (H) - 14.00

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