Having both played and coached rugby in West Kent most of his adult life, Andy Trotter’s appointment as President of Tonbridge Juddians appears a perfect fit.
The 64 year-old former senior Scotland Yard Police officer has seen the club develop significantly in recent years, with both its youth and adult teams showing strong signs of progression.
With the squad narrowly missing promotion in its last campaign, he believes there is no shortage of optimism at its base at The Slade in Tonbridge.
“I think the club has improved hugely over the years, having been promoted a number of times. It has gone from strength to strength with players from all different ages and backgrounds, which makes for a real sense of community here,” said Andy, who was particularly encouraged to see so many aspiring young players making their mark.
Among its rising stars is Andy’s grandson James, who captains the club’s under 17’s team.
As for Andy, it seems from the very beginning that his sporting and professional interests have intertwined, as he revealed joining the Met Police as a youngster offered the opportunity of playing first class rugby.
During his career, he experienced everything from being a rural sergeant serving in Paddock Wood, through to becoming Deputy Assistant Commissioner at Scotland Yard responsible for policing the West End of London.
Finally, he became Chief Constable of the British Transport Police.
It was his handling of latter role in co-ordinating the response to the deadly London 7/7 bombings that earned him an OBE, as well as being awarded the Police Medal for Crime and Public Order operations.
As he explained, the major terrorist incident in 2005 that killed more than 50 people across the capital had proved one of his most harrowing challenges.
He said: “As a former Met officer when I was serving with the Transport Police, I was asked to do a lot of the media work relating to the 7/7 bombings. It was very distressing, seeing the anguish of those who had wondered what had happened to their loved ones.
“It was particularly challenging visiting Russell Square tube station, where search and rescue teams were working to recover bodies from the station, which was an emotional time.”
Beyond such tragedies, there have of course been positive memories too; with one of his most cherished moments being involved with managing transport security for the 2012 Olympics in London.
He said: “That was very full on, but it was wonderful and one of my career highlights.”
Closer to home, he is happily settled in Tonbridge with his wife Kate, and is also serving as a Chair of the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in London.
