As I write this end-of-season message, on the back of some fantastic celebrations this weekend, I find myself thinking back to where we were this time last year.

If I’m honest, it still feels very raw.

Twelve months ago, I stood in our broken, flood-damaged clubhouse and looked around at a place I had helped build with my own two hands, wondering whether everything so many generations had worked for could really survive.

There were moments of real uncertainty, real heartbreak, and times when the road ahead felt impossible.

But what followed reminded us exactly who we are.

I watched as our committee members and directors gave everything they had to our club.

Countless hours, difficult decisions, and sleepless nights, all to make sure this club didn’t become nothing more than a memory.

You did us proud, and without you, we wouldn’t have a home or a club.

I saw how our wider rugby family, our volunteers, members, sponsors, and community, rallied around us with a level of support that none of us will ever forget.

My sincerest thanks to every one of you for stepping up when we needed you most.

It reminded us that being part of BBOB means being part of something.

Something bigger than a clubhouse, a pitch, or a set of tackle pads. It means belonging to a strong community. A place where people show up for one another when it matters most.

And because of that, what a season it has been.

It started with being able to share our story on ITV, which was incredibly special. Giving us the chance to show not only how we fought back, but also spotlight the good work we’ve put into supporting and growing our girls’ and women’s rugby.

We then officially reopened our club alongside Phil Dowson, Director of Rugby at Northampton Saints, and it was a moment of immense pride for us all.

Since then, week after week, our pitches have been filling up.

New players have joined in huge numbers, familiar faces have returned, and for that we say a huge thank you.

Thank you to our players and parents for sticking with us, bringing the kids down in the wind and the rain. Without you we wouldn't have a club.

Perhaps most special of all, former BBOB players have come back to coach, giving back to the club that helped shape them.

We are incredibly grateful that you’ve chosen us. Helping to instil the spirit of the Brigade into the next generation.

We believe rugby is a sport for all. So, the growth of our girls’ rugby programme has continued to be nothing short of remarkable.

Supported and inspired by our ladies’ team, their confidence, participation, and belief are now beginning to rival the boys’ game, something everyone connected to this club should be immensely proud of.

Well done ladies and all involved.

We’ve celebrated our players earning selection for the Northampton Saints Foundation Development programme, the Northampton & District Alliance programme, and the East Midlands squads.

Congratulations to everyone selected, you are paving the way for others to follow.

I’ve enjoyed hearing the stories and memories created by our teams who were fortunate enough to go on tour this season.

I’m especially proud of our U16s, who worked incredibly hard to raise their own tour funds. Well done lads.

Experiences like that last a lifetime, and is what rugby is all about.

The heartbeat of our club, our coaches, are proudly wearing kit funded by our incredible members.

And we’ve been humbled by the sponsors who believed in us after the floods, standing beside us when we needed it most.

Thank you all for your unwavering support.

Are we perfect? No. We know we still have a lot to do.

But, this season we have come so far, and it has taught us so much.

We’ve grown. We’ve learned.

And above all, we’ve shown exactly what this club is made of.

Now it’s time for a short summer break before we go again.

There is so much more to come, and over the next few months we’ll be sharing our exciting plans for the 2026/27 season at Northampton BBOB RFC.

But, as we reflect on everything we have achieved this year, one thing is clear…

We are more than just our buildings.

We are BBOB.

Thank you for being part of it.

Up the Brigade.

Peter Johnson
Club President