8
The Don
VIEW FROM THE TOP - BRIAN MULLEN
Full Name - Brian Mullen
Age - 58
Former teams - London Irish &
Clermont Auvergne
Years at the OW - 1976 to present
Clubhouse manager Brian Mullen is nothing short of an
OW legend, providing over 40 years of service as a student,
a sportsman and a member of the comitee. One of the
backbones of the club, Brain was also arguably the best rugby
player that we have produced.
Like so many, Brian has encouraged his family to intergrate
themselves into the OW atmosphere; with daughter Clara
and wife Rita helping out behing the bar and in the kitchen
respectively. Brian’s son Xavier is also an avid rugby player, and
a real prospect for the OWRFC. The club’s love and respect for
Brian Mullen is very much recipricated by the man himself...
even if he doesn’t make it obvious at times!
Brain enjoyed major success with London Irish, achieving
promotion to the highest division in the 1990/1991 season,
as well as being the leagues top scorer with an incredible 117
points. As well as this Brian enjoyed a two year stint abroad
with recent French champions ASM Clermont Auvergne. Brian
eventually decided to return to his OW roots to see out the
remainder of his career and he has been omnipresent ever
since. Oficially, Brian’s role consists of looking after the Ow’s
house and grouds. However, in reality, Brian’s contribution to
the club is far greater. He is an intergral cog to the OW wheel
and the club wouldn’t be able to function without him.
“I was the only
foreigner on
the pitch”
What was your favourite/best sporting moment?
It would have to be dropping the goal for London irish from 45m, four
minutes into injury time to secure promotion to the premiership.
Who was inspirational in giving you a passion for rugby?
My Dad, who had 3 irish trials played for Leinster/London irish and
played against the All blacks for Munster back in 1954... and I cant
forget Paddy OD at Donhead.
What was the best game you remember playing in?
The highest level I played would have to be against Toulouse at home
in front of 18 000 people. I was definitely the only foreigner on the
pitch and possibly the only foreigner in the stadium. Tolouse fielded 11
French International players... we won 18/4
Who’s the best player you have played with/against?
Jean Patrick Lescarboura, a fly-half who represented US Dax and
France; his game management was outstanding.
What was your longest conversion?
60m
What does OW mean to you?
Home
How did the OW atmosphere compare to when you were playing
professionally?
It was great socially at the OW’s and a great escape from the
expectations of professional rugby in the amateur era.
Who is the best OW player you’ve seen? (Apart from yourself)
John Travers played top class rugby with Rosslyn Park but stopped
to soon. I believe if he carried on he could have played international
rugby; he really was a top table player.
Favourite other sport?
Golf
Will your son be better than you?
He has a wonderful skill set and he enjoys the game which is a good
start.
www.oldwimbledonians.com