CHINNOR RFC Thame is thrilled to announce the return of another familiar face with Ben Manning back at Kingsey Road.
The popular forward returns to the Club in time to feature in our adapted laws friendlies with Esher and Rams.
Our former Club Captain needs little introduction to our Chinnor Family, having made 146 appearances during a six-year stay in Thame.
Manning played a starring role as we secured promotion to National League 1 for the first time in 2017/18 and also won two player of the season awards.
The back-row forward first signed for Chinnor in 2014, having previously lined up for the University of Edinburgh, Stewarts Melville and Henley Hawks following a year in New Zealand at Linwood and Canterbury U20s.
A dynamic and powerful ball carrier, Manning, who adds 108kg to our pack, rejoins the Club from Greene King IPA Championship side London Scottish and we can’t wait to see him running out at Kingsey Road again.
He said: “I’m massively excited to be back at Chinnor. This next year will certainly be a year to build and to be successful - that’s the challenge and I’m looking forward to just getting out there, playing in the black and white again and getting this team where it needs to be. The opportunity to also play with some old teammates and to build into a successful season was something I couldn’t overlook. With the likes of Hamps (Craig Hampson, Head Coach) and Soa (Soane Tonga'uiha, Forwards Coach) at the helm coaching wise and being able to work with Thorpey (Richard Thorpe, Director of Rugby) again, I’m looking forward to just getting to work for those guys next season. It’s good to be home.”
Chinnor RFC Thame Director of Rugby, Richard Thorpe said: “I am delighted to announce that Ben Manning will be rejoining our Senior Squad with immediate effect. Benji had a hard-fought decision last summer whether to pursue his long-held ambition of playing Championship rugby or stay in National League 1. Whilst I fully supported his decision at the time to move up, sadly, and despite thoroughly deserving it, it wasn’t meant to be for him this season. With London Scottish pulling out of Championship league games earlier in the year due to financial constraints, Benji’s time in the Championship was put on hold. Now returning to help Chinnor realise their ambitions, he has already made a huge impact at our training sessions. He is a true clubman, a natural leader, and I am excited to see him pull on a Chinnor jersey once more over the coming weeks as we begin our series of friendly fixtures throughout May. Welcome home Benji!”
