Notable Players
The following players all had top level experience either before or after representing Leighton Buzzard.
Stuart Maxwell joined following a stint with Bedford having played previously for New Brighton and Richmond. Brother of Andy, who won England caps between 1975 and 1978, Stuart notched up some notable achievements of his own. In 1972 he scored two tries for the North-West Counties in their historic 16-14 win over New Zealand at Workington, the first time an English regional side had beaten the All Blacks. In 1975 having moved on to Bedford, he bagged another touchdown against international opposition when representing the Southern Counties in their match against Australia at Aylesbury's Ostlers Field ground. He was also an accomplished Sevens exponent having been a member of the Richmond side that won the Middlesex Sevens in 1974 and 75.
Having completed two spells at Northampton Saints, John Surguy finished his career at the Club and continued his prolific points scoring displayed at Franklins Gardens and previously at junior level for nearby Bletchley. Through his time at both Clubs, Surguy had lived in Leighton and his town club was grateful he eventually made his way there. He featured prominently in the East Midlands Cup wins of 1986 and 1987.
Chris Gibbons, though never leaving the Leighton Buzzard club did score the achievement of representing East Midlands on more than one occasion in the annual Mobbs Memorial Match against the Barbarians. At the time it was extremely rare for a player outwith Northampton Saints and Bedford Blues to be invited into the East Midlands side for the match, especially if that player was plying his trade at a junior club. Gibbons was one of the very few to buck the trend.
Pete Ellam spent a number of seasons at Bedford Blues and was a regular during the latter's Centenary Season of 1985-86. He returned to Buzzards and was 1st XV captain in 1991-92.
John Davidson joined Buzzards from Bedford Blues in the season following Club's 1987-88 John Player Cup clash. An England "B" cap, Davidson had been a stalwart with Moseley for whom he played in the 1982 John Player Cup Final at Twickenham when the Midlanders shared the trophy with Gloucester after a 12-12 draw.
When it comes to international representation the Club can point to recent 1st XV skipper Bert Yirrell who when a member of the Club's Junior section represented England at Under-16 level. Meanwhile in one of Rugby Union's outposts, Neil Wise is the Club's only player to win senior international recognition. Having moved to the Grand Duchy with work in the late-90s, Wise has represented the Luxembourg national side on a number of occasions including Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
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