London Scottish can today confirm that captain Mark Bright will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Bright, (37), has been a stand-out performer for the Scots since arriving from Redruth in 2011 and has made 117 appearances, scoring an impressive 76 tries in the process.
The number eight was voted Player of the Season in 2012/13, which also saw him included in the RFU Championship Dream XV in that year.
During the 2013/14 season he scored 21 tries in 28 games which saw him shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Year Award and named once again in the Championship Dream XV.
Last season he was the top try-scorer in the league, crossing the line 28 times in 26 matches, and captained the Scots to their highest ever finish of third in the Greene King IPA Championship.
In the 15/16 campaign, Bright became just the fourth London Scot in the professional era to make 100 appearances for the club, alongside Colman McCarthy, Matt Johnson and Adam Kwasnicki.
Bright also represented England Sevens at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, adding to his striking rugby CV.
Everyone at London Scottish wishes Mark all the best for the future.
Chairman Sir David Reid had nothing but positive words for the number-eight.
“Brighty has been amazing for us. He and his family are personal friends, he is a great player and a great Kiwi and no one is sadder than I to see him go!
My feeling is he will always remember us as a special part of his career when he looks back. He is a great Scot as well now and a few more tries before he leaves will make a great last contribution!”
Club President Rod Lynch praised Bright’s influence at the club. “Mark has been an outstanding player and captain for London Scottish. Since we joined the Championship he has led from the front and established us a leading level two club.
He leaves London Scottish with our best wishes and thanks for a huge personal contribution.”
Bright has this message for everyone associated with the club:
I would like to thank everyone involved from London Scottish for the past five years, the coaches, players, trainers and medical team for all of their help.
To all the supporters, you guys have been great and I have enjoyed getting to know a lot of you after games whether home or away. I’m sure we will cross paths again.
A special mention to Martin Gilbert and Aberdeen Asset Management who have sponsored me for the past five seasons, I can’t thank you enough.
It has been a great five years at a great club where I have made some life long friends and had the privilege to play over 100 games. I’m sad to be leaving but like I said, we will cross paths again.
I am fully committed to Scottish for the remainder of the season and am looking forward to the upcoming games.
All the best to everyone.
Brighty
