Simon Homer

Profile

Simon's interview with Scribbler - January 2006 

Educated: Heathfield School, Birmingham University

A Stourbridge lad – born at Mary Stevens Maternity home in Oldswinford – Simon made his debut for the club as an eleven year old in the Mini section, and following senior sabbaticals at Moseley and D.K., returned this season to come off the bench against Barking to start his senior career for the club. “Mark Wilson was my teacher and his encouragement to take up the game went along the lines of ‘You’re a big lad, why don’t you take up rugby?’” recalled our second row forward. Wilson was a Stour 1^st XV centre - and ex 1^st XV captain - at the time, prior to his taking up coaching roles with both Dudley Kings (where he has just returned as senior coach). Young Homer took his advice and started with the Under 11s.

“Of our team I was the only one who has gone to play for Stour at senior level, there was a big fall off, and by the time I was eighteen we were unable to raise a Colts XV.” Simon recalled. “I was in the North Midlands set up and needed to play club rugby. I was allowed to play the odd game for D-K, but ended up joining Moseley who supplied a lot of lads in the North Mids team.” Simon went on to play at senior level for Moseley but his senior outings were restricted to his first season of National One rugby, playing against the likes of Plymouth Albion, Exeter and (“frighteningly”) Rotherham on their way through to the Premiership.

Simon recovered from serious injury when rupturing his cruciate ligament as an eighteen year old at Moseley. “It happened in training when I was tackled and knew straight away it was a major problem.” Recovery took six months, including lots of running, a second row’s nightmare. “It wasn’t too bad, running over short distances on soft mats. I managed to make it back into the senior Colts at Moseley.” Mike Garmston had helped to get him the best of medical attention.

Simon spent some time on loan to D-K last season and whilst there the opportunity to travel dropped on his lap. “They tend to get a couple of New Zealanders there each year and I ended up discussing the possibility of visiting their country.” Things happened quickly and next thing he knew Simon was playing for Borders in Taranaki Country, North Island. He worked in farming to pay his way, and managed to slip in a trip to the British Lions v Taranaki game as well before finishing off his trip with a tour of the country and a visit to Thailand.

Further information