Drybrook RFC Website
Welcome to the Drybrook player profile page of:

Leon 'Mega mouth' Meek

Voice (loudest and does not stop), Centre, scrum-half and Backs Coach Leon Meek returned home to Drybrook midway through the season after hearing of the cup run. Apparently he has a quiet and unassuming temperament. An expert an making passes - ask Fletch!!! Recently decided to return to training (since the fine weather returned) and wants to continue throughout the summer to save himself having to train in the winter and during the Rugby season.

Budgies Pink un profile from the 3rd February

LOW MARKS FROM PROF AFTER NAKED FINAL STREAK

MEEK COULD NOT ACHIEVE AMBITIONS

LEON MEEK is probably best described as a player who did not quite make it to the top level. This description could be a little harsh as he is only approaching his 28th birthday and, therefore, has a few years on his side as far as rugby is concerned. Always loyal to Drybrook, Meek tried to further his career at Gloucester Under-21s before joining Lydney. He had a steady, if unspectacular career at the Severnsiders, but was a more than useful squad member. His last game for Lydney was the Tetley’s Bitter Cup clash against Saracens, which the Severnsiders lost 40-0. After this game, Meek left the club to travel across Australia. In his final season at Regentsholme, which was 1998-99, Meek made 13 appearances for Lydney, including one as replacement, and was unable to score a try. In fact, Meek only managed to score one try in Jewson National League One, making eight appearances in all matches in 1996-97 and 20 in 1997-98 including three on the bench. On his return from the trip Down Under, Meek went back to Drybrook in Western Counties North, where he became a player-coach, helping out Pete Jones. Meek helped Drybrook win the Forest of Dean Senior Cup with a victory over his former teammates in the final in August.

FACTFILE

Full name: Leon David Meek.

Born: 07.02.73

Birthplace: Dilke Hospital, Forest of Dean.

Star Sign: Aquarius.

Job: Physical therapist for Wotton Lawn Hospital.

Family: Partner Anna.

Pets: None.

Nickname: Forest or Budgie, after my Dad.

Position: Centre and coach at Drybrook.

Current team: Drybrook. - Now and then!

Former teams: Gloucester Colts and Lydney plus the odd game for Cinderford and Berry Hill.

Debut: For Lydney in 1995.

Highest level coached at: Great Britain Students at rugby league, where I was a scrumhalf.

League and cup achievements: Tetley’s Bitter Cup fifth round, National League One with Lydney.

MOST MEMORABLE MATCH
Playing for Lydney against Saracens in the Tetley’s Bitter Cup in January 1999 was a brilliant experience, one that I will never forget. It was superb to be able to play in front of a big crowd and the atmosphere was fantastic. We also put in a top performance against a top Premiership side although we lost 40-0. The previous round against Moseley was also memorable. We had not won away very often and we pulled off an amazing win. I think it was the first occasion I had actually seen coach Rhodri Lewis smile.

WORST MATCH
There are far too many to mention. They normally came when I missed a try-scoring chance or missed a crucial tackle.

FUNNIEST MOMENT
Any time Lydney winger Chris Dunlop or Drybrook’s blindside flanker Neil Morgan are near the ball. They will both either do something wonderful with it or it would be a complete disaster. At least Chris Dunlop could catch it.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT
This was when I streaked at halftime during the Welsh Cup final in 1998 between Ebbw Vale and Llanelli at Bristol City — while the Millennium Stadium was being built. The band was playing and I charged on to the pitch naked, darted around the conductor, took a pass from a Llanelli substitute to score a try, I was then escorted off by Police. As I was being led off someone in the crowd shouted my name. I looked up and it was my professor at college.

RUGBY HEROES
Will Carling because he played in the same position as me and was underestimated. He took a lot of flack, which was unfair. Also Peter Winterbottom because he was a team player and not an individual.

GREATEST INFLUENCES
My family, as they supported me when I started to play rugby and have carried on to this day.

CURRENT PLAYERS ADMIRED
Lydney’s Julian Davis who I believe was an underestimated player. He has made an outstanding contribution to Lydney, having also played for England B, Bristol and Gloucester. I also admire Drybrook’s Chris Treherne, a great scrum-half and fly-half who stayed loyal to one club throughout his career. Also Rhodri Lewis for his coaching skills and Drybrook’s coach Pete Jones for his moaning at training.

TOP MOANER - PETE JONES

YOUNG PLAYERS FOR THE FUTURE
Drybrook’s Danny Griffiths, Lee Ward and Dale Critchley. They are still young and enthusiastic.

CLAIMS TO FAME
Being stranded in the desert while I was on my trip to Australia. I left for Australia after the Tetley’s Bitter Cup match with Saracens when I appeared in the Daily Express. I saw a copy when I arrived in Malaysia and again when I arrived in Australia.

MAIN COMPLAINT ABOUT LOCAL RUGBY
The influence of money at local level. It is destroying the small clubs. The financial reward is ridiculous and it is exploiting the players. They are not being allowed to play for their local clubs. It has had a massive effect on rugby in Wales. I have no problem with money at national and International level but it should not be there at grass roots.

CHANGES TO IMPROVE LOCAL GAME
There needs to be touch judges in the local games. At national league there are a lot of offences you cannot get away with because of touch judges. This is not the case in the lower leagues. The injuries, which are being incurred because the referee is unsighted, are phenomenal.

FAVOURITE GROUNDS
Kingsholm, where I played for Gloucester Colts, Regentsholme because of my memories with Lydney and Northampton where the surface is like a carpet.

RUGBY AMBITIONS - Be able to put something back into the sport

MAIN HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Outdoor pursuits including mountain biking. Also traveling to different parts of the world visiting places of interests.

CLOSEST FRIENDS OUTSIDE CLUB IN LOCAL RUGBY
Rob and Rhys and all those at Greyfriars where I work. Also can I mention Chris Rawlings to keep him off my back.

INJURIES - Cartilage and several stitches to my face. But my good looks are still there I also forgot to mention my bad back, kidneys, legs etc, etc, but I won't bore you with a medical list.

OTHER SPORTS FOLLOWED AND SPORTSPEOPLE ADMIRED
Not that keen on other sports, but I look out for Manchester United and Bristol City results.

WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO IN THE CAR? - Radio One and Soul.

FAVOURITE TELEVISION PROGRAMMES - Wildlife and exploration programmes, especially mountain trekking.

FAVOURITE ACTORS - Robert De Niro and Cameron Dias — but not for her acting skills and Debbie from Dallas

FAVOURITE FILMS - Shawshank Redemption, Billy Elliot and Debbie does Dallas.

FAVOURITE DRINK - Red wine, lots of it.

FAVOURITE FOOD - Mexican.

FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION - Perth, Western Australia.

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT - Wongs in Lydney and the Mexican in Cardiff.

PERSON YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET - Someone who has been at the top of Everest.

MOTTO IN LIFE - What goes around comes around - take it as it comes.

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