Sir Bill Beaumont CBE DL
Honorary President of the Foundation
This Trustee doesn’t really need a biography but just in case you aren’t fully aware of Bill’s background, Bill (or Sir William Blackledge Beaumont, CBE, DL to give him his full title) played for and captained Lancashire, the North of England, England and the British and Irish Lions in an illustrious career, the highlight of which was being England’s Grand Slam captain in 1980. Bill has held a number of senior roles as a rugby administrator and is currently Chairman of World Rugby. He is a true one club man having only ever played club rugby for Fylde RFC.
David Craven
Chairman of the Foundation
David formerly played for Birmingham University RFC and Thornton Cleveleys RUFC (where he is an Honorary Life Member) although to no great effect for either! Fortunately, his business career has been more successful than his rugby career. He grew and sold what was Europe’s largest educational travel company and since then has successfully invested in many early stage businesses. Amongst many other roles he is Chairman of Next Generation Travel.
Martin Long
Vice Chairman of the Foundation
Martin is a partner with Napthens Solicitors and takes a very active role in the local business community as Chairman of the Blackpool Business Leadership Group, as a non-executive member of the Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Economic Prosperity Board and as a member of the Fylde Coast Responsible Business Network Steering Group. Martin is also Chairman of the Lancashire Committee of Wooden Spoon the children’s charity of British rugby and is a board member of Blackpool & the Fylde College. He played rugby for Thornton Cleveleys RUFC for nearly 20 years.
Tony Attard OBE DL
Trustee
Tony went to the University of Manchester where he played both Rugby Union and Rugby league after which he played rugby at club level at Rochdale and then at Thornton Cleveleys RUFC.
Tony is CEO of Panaz Group, a technical textiles company which exports to over 50 countries and Chairman of Alusid which is a sustainable manufacturer.
Tony’s strong commitment to Lancashire is demonstrated as Chairman of Marketing Lancashire and he is on the Board of the Lancashire LEP. Tony is Honorary fellow of the University of Central Lancashire, was High Sheriff of Lancashire 2018-19 and is Chairman of the Lancashire 2025 City of Culture bid.
Dave Young
Trustee
Dave joined Fylde RFC straight from school and after a 20 year playing career he has held a number of positions at the club including 1st Team Manager and Chairman of Rugby before becoming Club Chairman in 2016. Away from rugby before retirement Dave had a successful career in Environmental Management in both the public and private sectors.
David Wiseman
Trustee
David Wiseman has been involved at Fylde RFC for over 25 years progressing from a junior to over 200 first team appearances plus representative honours with Lancashire followed by spells as First Team Manager and Club Secretary. Away from rugby he runs a successful local letting agency.
Vicki Thompson
Trustee
Vicki has spent many years enthusiastically following rugby from the touchlines with her husband and four sons. This has encouraged her to become involved in Girls’ rugby through the Foundation and helped her to gain her RFU coaching qualification. An accountant by profession, Vicki has been involved in a number of non-profit roles, with an emphasis on supporting the local community. She is currently a Trustee at The Boathouse Youth Charity in Blackpool.
Mark Merrick
Trustee
Mark played rugby from a young age on the Fylde Coast for Fylde Mini Juniors and then at Rossall School. His first games of Senior Rugby were for Fleetwood RFC (where the Merrick family have had strong connections for many years) and then for Vale of Lune RFC before playing for Oxford University.
After University Mark trained as an accountant in London playing for Sutton and Epsom RFC before stopping playing when work took him overseas.
On his return to the Fylde Coast Mark coached Mini Junior teams at Fylde for many years, hanging up the coaching boots just after COVID.
Outside of rugby Mark is involved with a local seafood company and is a Governor at Singleton C of E Primary School.
Melissa Farrington ACCA
Honorary Treasurer
Melissa is an ACCA qualified accountant and a Client Manager at Brown & Co, a modern and dynamic firm of Chartered Accountants based on the Fylde Coast. Brown & Co work with a wide range of businesses and are also providing the compliance services to the Foundation. Melissa studied at the University of Huddersfield and spent a number of years at one of the largest accountancy firms on the Fylde Coast.
