The Baxter family have Exeter blood flowing in their veins

FOR over half a century, the Baxter family have been an established mainstay of Exeter Rugby Club in management roles.

John Baxter, a lock, was the first member of the family to join his hometown club and made his debut in 1965 and did enough to be selected for England trials in the 1960s.

The Devon County cap served the club for 47 years as a player, chairman, and director, helping lay the foundations of the club that his son Rob has made so successful.

The current Chiefs director of rugby played lock for 14 seasons, many of them as captain before moving into coaching. He became head coach in March 2009 after the sacking of Pete Drewett.

Baxter led the club into the Premiership, and under his reign, they have twice been crowned champions of England and once of Europe.

Rob’s brother Richard, a No.8, made over 431 appearances for his home town club, scoring 126 tries before retiring to run the family farm.

John’s brother Paul followed him into the first-team at the County Ground, making his debut at arch-rivals Plymouth Albion on 31 December 1966. And he played alongside him for club, county, and the South-West Counties before going into coaching.

John Lockyer sings the praises of Devon Rugby’s first family.

He told TRP: “I used to say in my speeches that they were enshrined in the temples of Exeter Rugby and that they are a fabulous dynasty. A wonderful family.

“They were all damn good rugby players; John and Paul played a lot when I played, then Rob and Richard. They have got Exeter blood flowing through their veins.

“John took over as chairman of selectors when we were at a low ebb. All of us players who had played at a good level didn’t want to see the club slipping any further.

“So we all got our hands dirty and kept it going through lean times. Collectively we got the best out of everybody locally.

“I remember Rob and Richard playing down in the mud on the County Ground with my sons. They were lovely lads, big strong farming boys but always very honest, like all the family.

“They were also behind the posts doing the scoreboards and stuff like that. It was what people used to do back in those days at rugby clubs; everybody volunteered.”