BOARD

WHAT WE DO

Our main responsibility as a RFU CB (Constituent Body) is the administration of Rugby in the County of Lancashire. We provide help, support and advice to 87 Community Clubs and University Clubs, as well as Colleges and Schools across the region.

Our remit stretches from Competition Organisation, Discipline and Safegaurding, to management of our sucessful Representative Rugby teams and Player Pathway projects. Our governance covers Mens, Womens, Girls, Colts, Minis and Juniors Rugby. 

The Board is made up of nine Directors as well as several members who help us in an ex-officio capacity. The board are elected volunteers, members of sub-committees and dedicated to the game we all love.

WHO WE ARE

Directors

Dave Clarke

Chairman & RFU Council Member

David has been involved with Wigan Rugby Club for over forty years which have included and are still current, Fixture Secretary, Match Secretary amd Chairman of House & Grounds at Wigan RUFC He is also Wigan County Representative & Referee Liaison Official.

David’s role within Lancashire has included Lancashire County RFU Representative on the RFU North Competitions Committee, Representative on the Adult Competition Management Sub Committee and Secretary of the RFU North Competitions Committee (current).
He was President of Lancashire RFU in 2018/19. Married to Anne they have two sons, David and Andrew who are also involved in Rugby.

Mark Downs

Honorary Secretary 

Mark played for Leigh RUFC from the age of 5 to 35 with a brief hiatus playing for Leicester Polytechnic and Scraptoft Mentors RFC whilst at college.

A member of the Lancashire Colts Cup sub-committee as well as a former club secretary who is still an active volunteer at Leigh.

He is married to Jude, they have a daughter, Rach, and son, Will, who are all involved in Rugby. 

Mark is the Global Laboratory Manager for Jacobi Carbons. 

Paul Deakin

Honorary Treasurer & RFU Council Member

Paul had been associated with Leigh RUFC for 45 years as player, coach and volunteer.

He has been Treasurer at Lancashire for 10 years, and currently represents the County on the England Council where is a member of the Age Grade, Schools and Colleges; Rugby Development; Club Financial Viability; and Club and CB Sub Committees.

Professionally Paul is a Chartered Management Accountant working for the last 20 years in the defence industry as a Finance Executive before retiring in 2022.

Howard Hughes

Director of Rugby

Howard started playing Colt’s rugby at Tyldesley RUFC where he went on to play over 300 1st XV games between 1987 and 2008. After turning his hand to coaching Junior sides at Tyldesley he moved up to assisting the running of the County Colts side. Following the amalgamation of the County Colts and County Schools squads he became Team Manager for the 1st combined County U18 XV. Several seasons at County saw him move to North U18s and then England Counties U18 as Assistant Manager. Moving to the U20s he went on to manage the North U20s for 4 seasons and is now Chair of Selectors. As Director of Rugby he is responsible for all Male Representative squads ensuring they all have the best support structures possible. Additionally Howard is part of the County Competitions Committee. Still working for a living Howard is a Senior IT Specialist at BT.

Kate Bennetta

Director without Portfolio (Women & Girls Rugby Lead)

Kate has been involved in rugby for over 15 years, taking on many different roles throughout her journey. Her involvement began at her local club, Littleborough, when her twin boys, Jack and Sam, started playing at the age of five.

Supported throughout by her husband, Lee, Kate has continued to dedicate herself to the game.  Kate has worked for Sale Sharks as operations manager and academy administrator and is now a Lancashire Director and the Lead for Women’s and Girls’ rugby.

Gill Burns MBE

Director of Volunteering 

Gill has been involved in rugby for almost 40 years. She’s held numerous roles along the way including Waterloo, Lancashire, North, England and World XV Captain. Chair of Waterloo Women, Waterloo Board Member, Waterloo President 2004-2006, RFUW President 2002-2012, World Rugby Hall of Fame (2014), Lancashire President 2019 - 2022.

Currently Lancashire Board Member responsible for Volunteers, as well as a member of RFU Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Group, World Rugby Museum Sub-Committee and the Impact Leverage Committee for the 2025 Women’s World Cup.

Carol Baker

Director of Safeguarding & Wellbeing 

Carol became involved with Rugby Union some 33 years ago, when her two boys started playing for Leigh RUFC, following in the footsteps of their father, Michael. Using her experience as a Police Officer and children's counsellor with ChildLine, Carol's passion is the protection and safety of young people and is the longest serving Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager for whole of England Rugby Union. She is an RFU tutor and advisor, and is the Head of Safeguarding at Sale Sharks.
Carol has been a Lancashire RFU board director for over 10 years and was elected to the prestigious role of Lancashire President in 2023.

Chris Gaffey

Director of Club & Community Rugby 

Chris played Rugby at school and got involved in his local club when his son started playing. He's been a qualified Level 2 Coach for 10 years and Club Chairman for 5 years at Eccles RFC.  He began supporting Lancashire RFU with its communications and branding in 2024 and was elected to the board in June 2025. Professionally, Chris works internationally as a Film & Television Director, his sports clients have included Adidas, Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United and the RFL.

Arthur Crabtree

Director without Portfolio (Rugby Safe Lead)

Athur has played at Didsbury Toc H for the last 22yrs. Currently the club secretary and 3rd XV captain for his sins.

Works as a Consultant.

Non Executive Members

Ian Spivey

President & Chairman of Age Grade Rugby

Ian first got involved in Rugby through taking my son along to his local club, Aldwinians, some 27 years ago. Within a short space of time he had become the team manager and his commitment to rugby progressed. He joined the club's Mini & Junior committee, took on assisting on the grounds, plus other duties and became the club's Junior Lancashire representative.

Ian then took on the role of Lancashire Age Grade Chair several years ago where he have developed the engagement of clubs and players in the game.  This coming season he has the honour and pleasure of being County President and hopes to see some of you throughout the playing season.

Brian Stott

Disciplinary Secretary

Brian played at North Manchester where he was Secretary for over 25 years. On retiring from playing he joined the Manchester Referees Society as a referee and then as a match obserever. 

He has been Secretary and Chair for the Competitions Committee. He has been a member of the Disciplinary Committee for over twenty years, the last fifteen as Disciplinary Secretary. He is also Assistant Secretary and was the County President 2022/2023.

He is married to Annette and is retired.

Robbie Jones

County Schools Union Secretary & Senior Vice President

Robbie’s first club was Chinnor RFC, before moving to London Welsh RFC where he was in the 1st XV squad for 14 years. He played for the 1st XV and 1st VII, gaining is club colours, and also represented Middlesex and Welsh Exiles.

He taught PE in West London for 9 years before moving to Lancashire to teach on the Fylde Coast. He has held numerous roles within Lancashire Rugby Schools and the North over the last 27 years. He is an Hon. Life Member of England Rugby Schools and sits on their Board.

Robbie is married; with his wife, son and daughter all working in education.