There are plenty of reasons people become part of Eastbourne Rugby Club – the rugby, the friendships, the social side and, for some, simply the chance to represent their home town. For Alan Morehen, there’s an even more personal connection.

Alan is the man behind Bourne To Drive, helping local people become confident drivers after swapping life as a London cabbie for a career closer to home. He’s also a familiar face around the club, not least because his son Michael plays for Eastbourne – and his wife Michelle runs Bourne For Wellness, Michael’s sponsor.

So, with the Bourne family already firmly embedded in the ERFC community, we thought it was time to introduce two more of the players supported by Alan and Bourne To Drive: Tom Line and Finn Warner.

And while they may occupy very different positions on the pitch, both have plenty to say about what makes playing at Eastbourne special.

Meet Tom Line

Age: 21
Position: Hooker
Rugby: 8 years

Tom's route into rugby was a little different. After stopping his previous competitive sport, he was looking for something new and decided to head along to an Eastbourne registration day.

Eight years later, he's still here.

And there’s clearly little danger of Tom becoming bored with rugby anytime soon.

“When I’m not at rugby, I play in a brass band and I think about the next time I can play rugby!”

That musical talent has even earned him a rugby nickname. Tom plays with Eastbourne Silver Band, meaning that to some around the club, he is simply known as “Trumpet”.

Why Eastbourne?

For Tom, the answer is simple: the people.

“My teammates that I play with, week in and week out, the coaches team and the fact I get to represent my home town, Eastbourne.”

And his commitment to the club couldn't be clearer:

“Wouldn’t dream of playing anywhere else.”

His favourite match-day moment comes before the whistle has even blown – walking into the changing room, music blasting and getting himself into the mindset for the game ahead.

His favourite rugby memory is a recent one: winning the league with the Nomads in the 2024/25 season.

Plus, Tom has also been responsible for one of the club’s more unexpected musical moments.

At the Big Night Out 2024, Tom teamed up with Gaff, Vince, TashMan, Glen and Martial to form The Knock-ons – the surprise music act of the evening!

And when it comes to club nicknames, Tom has a favourite: Chris “Ernie” Hosking.

Why?

“Since I came up to seniors four years ago, I still have no idea why it’s Ernie!” - one mystery that may never be solved.

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Meet Finn Warner

If Tom found rugby after looking for a new sport, Finn discovered it after being thrown into the deep end – quite literally.

At 13, he played in a school tournament and, despite being one of the smallest players on the pitch, found that he loved the physical side of the game.

His PE teacher suggested he give Eastbourne Rugby Club a try.

Seven years later, Finn is still here.

Age: 20
Position: Fullback
Rugby: 7 years

Away from rugby, Finn has plenty keeping him busy. He is studying at university to become a pharmacist, while also finding time for guitar, cycling, running, the gym and surfing.

So it's fair to say sitting still isn't really his thing.

More than just rugby

For Finn, one of the best things about playing rugby is the teamwork – both on and off the pitch.

He says the experience has been formative for his communication and confidence, and he particularly values the way people at the club voluntarily go the extra mile to help each other and the club itself.

His own rugby journey has already produced some memorable moments.

Making his senior debut is right up there, after he scored tries for both the Nomads and the 1XV in the same afternoon!

But his proudest moment came later, when he produced a Man of the Match performance in the final game of the season as the Nomads won the league.

Naturally, the celebrations followed - “Many celebratory beers were had!”

Match-day mode

Finn says the best match days are when both senior teams are playing at home at the club. With plenty of support around the pitch, match-day lunches and a social afterwards, there’s a real sense of occasion.

And before the game?

The soundtrack is ‘Can’t Stop’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

If he could play alongside any player, past or present, Finn would choose Owen Farrell – partly for the leadership and partly for the opportunity to pick his brain about tactics!

And when it comes to rugby superstitions, Finn has developed his own routine. When practising off the tee, he makes sure his final kick is successful, believing it sets him up well for the game. He hasn't quite developed a Dan Biggar-style pre-kick dance yet, though!

The man behind Bourne To Drive

While Tom and Finn have their own reasons for loving rugby at Eastbourne, their sponsor has a story that is every bit as connected to the club.

Bourne To Drive is run by Alan Morehen, who spent 20 years as a London cabbie before moving to Eastbourne.

The move wasn't simply about a change of scenery. Alan wanted to spend more time with his son, Michael – who, as Eastbourne supporters will know, is also part of the senior rugby set-up.

Alan even coached Michael at Polegate Grasshoppers when the family first moved to the area. That experience helped shape his next career move.

After years of driving people around London, Alan wanted to do something that gave him the opportunity to teach people a life skill rather than simply ferrying them from A to B.

And so Bourne To Drive was born.

From London cabbie to driving instructor

“I didn't want to do the commute anymore from Eastbourne,” Alan explains “plus, I enjoyed the coaching and then thought about driving instructing, where you get so much more enjoyment teaching someone a life skill rather than just ferrying people about.”

Today, Alan's focus is on helping local people become confident drivers – and supporting the community around him along the way.

That includes Eastbourne Rugby Club.

A family affair

For Alan, sponsoring the club is about more than simply getting the Bourne To Drive name out there. He knows how much rugby means to Michael, and how much the club means to him.

“I also know how much the rugby means to Michael and the club, so anything I can do to help out is always my motto – and if it gets Bourne To Drive out there, all the better.

“It’s an opportunity to get your name out there and to help out our local club.”

It's a partnership with a genuine family connection running right through it – from Alan supporting the club, to Michael playing, and Michelle's Bourne For Wellness also being part of the club's sponsorship family.

And Alan is more than happy to promote what he jokingly calls the “Bourne empire!”

What does Alan enjoy most about match day?

The answer is simple: Watching his son enjoy his rugby.

One last question...

We couldn't finish without asking Alan the question every rugby fan has probably thought about at some point.

If he could spend some time with any rugby player, past or present, who would it be?

Jonny Wilkinson.

And the reason?

“Just to talk about THAT kick.”

If you want to keep up with Bourne To Drive, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram - simply search 'Bourne To Drive'.