Craig Tennant: A Story To Be Told….
 
 
A playing member of Billingham Rugby Club for over 30 years Craig Tennant has drawn the curtain on a remarkable playing career, announcing his retirement.
 
Starting at the age of 9 Craig or more commonly known as Tomby amongst his peers he has established himself as a favourite within the club. A quick witted individual he always brought a raucous environment to the changing rooms and the bar. He is a true character on and off the field.
 
A second row known for lineout prowess and athletic ability around the field. Craig has had a successful career winning trophies, promotions but his proudest moment quoting Craigs words ‘ Pulling on the shirt of Billingham’. Craig had a winning mentality… losing wasn’t an option. If Billingham lost Craig was unbearable until the beer started flow….
 
A brief stint at local neighbours Stockton which saw more success before Craig returned to Billingham. Returning to the green and white and being able to pull on the first XV shirt again meant the world to Craig. Coming back to his friends and under the stewardship of Chris Hyndman he career blossomed once again.
 
As his family grew, work commitments increased and injuries endured Craig stepped back from the competive playing side and decided to aide the 3TM in their resurgence. Some say the saviour (that might be just Tomby) but his influence with Richie Morrison has to be commended. In getting players returning who have been on a hiatus from playing to bringing back the fun element… oh and winning helped of course. His influence was great and was noticed throughout the club. He was looked up to as a role model for those coming through…albeit scared initially.
 
Since drawing the curtain Craig has stepped up to coaching. He has the ability to engage those around and pass on his experiences of playing. It is a natural ability and only time will tell of he takes coaching up in a more senior capacity going forward.
 
He is an asset to the club and will continue to be a favourite in the bar.
 
There are many stories on Craig that could be told however due to the nature of these said stories we have had to refrain from these… however im sure Craig would happily tell some of them over a chilled San Miguel in the comfort of the Old Farts Corner.
 
Ive have asked a people close to Craig for their words on such larger than life character:
 
Peter Evans ‘ there so much to say about Tomby. Some maybe best saved for the bar chat. One thing I can say is he a Billingham great!. He epitomises what Billingham represents, hes never been the biggest, never been technically the best but he gave everything he had on and off the field. He wont walk off into the sunset. He has multiple roles to carry out coaching including his twin girls in the fab u11s and is still involved in the 3TM management team. ive had the pleasure of knowing Craig since I was young and I know it will hurt him not playing on Saturdays but I know he will put that energy into his other roles. Thank you Tomby!’
 
 Chris Hyndman 'Well another bites the dust as they say!
This one is definitely cut from a different cloth than most, someone who could find a laugh in the most difficult of circumstances but also a true gent when required.

Craig Tennant, or Tomby to most has been a fantastic servant to our club.
Craig understands rugby, he hits great lines and and is an ever present off the shoulder, he reads the game well and is as solid as anyone in the lineout.

As coach an player we probably didn't always see eye to eye, in our early days as a team Tomby probably didn't get the game time his ability deserved, you would think he would be a perfect fit to a team that liked to throw the ball about and oozed open rugby, but his lack of bulk didn't always help in a side which often struggled in the set piece, and to play the game we wanted, set piece ball was a must, it allowed us the opportunity to attack.

This lead to probably the worse thing a coach wants to hear, I am leaving to get more game time.
To make things worse he was leaving for our most local of rivals Stockton!

What came as a shock made perfect sense, Stockton had always been strong with their set piece, but often lacked that creative edge that Criag could provide. His time across at our neighbours was very successful, he did a fantastic job for them and played some great rugby.

Then the wanderer returned!
The measure of the man is often in his commitment, Craig has played rugby at every level of Billingham Rugby Club, he helped us work through the leagues, he helped our seconds and thirds to great success.

I have been lucky, as my time as coach allowed me to be around lots of greats of our little rugby club, Craig was part of an era that started the trajectory to what we all witness today, and his presence on the field at any level will be sorely missed.

Enjoy retirement my friend?'

Thank you from us all at Billingham

#OSIOS