Major Steve Burton, AGC (SPS)
Captain of the Veteran XV

Major Steve Burton was educated at Harrogate Granby High School, Harrogate, North Yorkshire and joined the Army, as a Junior Leader in the RCT, in September 1979.

He was a keen footballer and represented both the Unit and Army Youth before being posted to his first Regular Unit, 7 Tk Tptr Regt RCT in Jan 81. During the 2 yrs in Sennelager, he represented the unit and Corps at football before being posted to 617 Tk Tptr Sqn in 1983. During his tour in Hamm, Germany he was introduced to Rugby Union by his OC, Major Robbie Campbell, a former Scotland B international prop forward. Steve thrived at this sport and within the year was representing the unit and Corps at both Rugby and Football.

In 1985 he was posted to 42 Sqn RCT in Bulford where he continued to play both sports at Corps level but he developed his love for Rugby when joining Salisbury RFC, his first Civilian Rugby Club.

In 1988, he returned to Germany and with promotion to Sgt came extra responsibility and less sport. He decided to concentrate on Rugby and during his tour with 1 Div Tpt Regt RCT, he played rugby at unit, Corps and Divisional Level. He also represented HQ BAOR. After his return from the Gulf War, he played a further season before being posted to Hong Kong in late 1991.

It was during his time in Hong Kong that he played his most competitive and successful rugby. He represented Tigers RFC and British Forces Hong Kong in the early part of the season before being selected for the Hong Kong National Team where he received his first cap against the American Eagles. In the 2nd season he went on to skipper the National side and lead the team to the final of the XIIIth Asian Games but sadly were runners-up to Japan. He was also selected for the National Sevens Squad and represented the team in the Dubai International Sevens, Madrid International Sevens, Singapore International Sevens and the Sicily Sevens. As the runner up to Namibia in the Sicily Sevens, the National side qualified for the Rugby World Cup in Murrayfield in 1993. Unfortunately, due to a serious illness, Steve was unable to play in the Hong Kong Sevens in Mar 1993 however he was back in the team for the World Cup in Murrayfield in May 1993. He played against England and a young Lawrence Dallaglio and Matt Dawson, Spain and Namibia before breaking his cheekbone in the first minute of the game against Canada. After the World Cup, he returned to UK and continued to play rugby at unit, Corps and Army level. He also played 2 seasons at Harrogate before being posted back to Germany in 1996.

On return to Germany he skippered the unit side, represented the Corps and BFG at both 15s and 7s. He went on to skipper the BFG side and play rugby for Bonn and subsequently Hannover 78. It was during this time in Germany the he reached the ripe old age of 35 and became a member of the Army Veterans team. He went on to play 4 seasons for the Vets before taking 2 yrs out due to work commitments. He returned to the Vets in 04.