News
Tommy Herman joins the ranks
Bedford Blues are pleased to announce further depth in the front row for next season with the news that Tommy Herman will link up with Mike Rayer’s squad from Olney RFC.
The youngster – who secured both the 1st XV Player of the Season and Players’ Player awards at the recent Olney Club Dinner – spent an extended period last season training at Goldington Road and will relish the chance to join up again in 2024/25.
He was chosen to start Blues’ fixture with The British Army back in March and made a big impression in the 57 minutes he was on the field, taking his opportunity with both hands and earning himself a chance at Championship level.
Herman becomes the latest in a long line of players to tread the path from Olney to Bedford Blues, with notable previous incumbents being the likes of Edgar Mobbs and Duncan Taylor.
On making the step up to a second-tier environment, Herman said: “Really excited to be given this opportunity from Mike to make the step up and test myself in the Championship next season.
“It was an amazing experience playing at Goldington Road for the Army game and something I can’t wait to do even more moving forwards. The fans really got behind us that night, and because of their support I was able to settle into the game more and shake off those early nerves.
“Having trained with the squad for many months last season, that will hopefully make the transition of moving to Goldington Road much easier. A huge thanks to the squad for making me feel so welcome and staying behind after training to help work on extras.
“To have the chance to work for coaches with the level of experience of Mike, and Tom Cruse coming in as Forwards Coach, is something I’m extremely grateful for and I can’t wait to get back in and amongst it from July.
“I can’t thank the coaches at Olney RFC enough for all their help over the years in nurturing and developing me to get this chance. I hope I do them all proud when representing Bedford Blues.”
Spending his entire senior career with the Buckinghamshire club, Herman has also benefitted from East Midlands U20s experience, honing his craft and developing his all-round game in recent seasons.
He will benefit greatly from working alongside incoming Blues Forwards Coach, Tom Cruse as well as continuing to learn alongside the senior front row forwards in the squad.
Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer said: “I went to watch Tommy at Olney several months ago and he stood out like a sore thumb to be fair, he was the best player on the field by a mile.
“Through our links to Northampton and Will Parkin who is coaching at Olney, we managed to get Tommy in to train with us on a regular basis.
“I’m really excited by him, he’s a real rough diamond that has got a real future, I genuinely believe that. He’s played a lot of rugby for Olney, Moulton College and East Midlands and he’s got a great hunger for the game which we’ll look to develop even further.
“Tommy has been scrummaging with the lads for a few months and he’s belted a few in training as well which I’ve got a lot of time for that! It’s just his pure enthusiasm, we’ve got a lot of experience in the front row staying on so it’s good to have that young hunger in there.”
