Gloucester Rugby stalwart Peter Buxton will move to Championship side Bristol Rugby at the end of the season.
It will bring to an end a career that sees Bucko, as he is affectionately known by the Kingsholm faithful, currently playing his 11th season at the club.
Cheltenham born Buxton joined Gloucester from Newport in 2002 as one of Nigel Melville's first signings for the club. He has gone on to make well in excess of 250 appearances for the club.
One of the hardest working players in the squad, his physicality, commitment and consistent level of play have seen establish himself as a key member of the squad.
He shared captaincy duties with Marco Bortolami in 2007-8 and celebrated a testimonial season in 2011-12.
As he enters the final few months of his career at Gloucester, with a new challenge on the horizon, Buxton admitted to the club website that it will be a strange feeling to move on.
"It hasn't quite sunk in just yet, but it will feel odd when I drive out of the car park for the last time. Gloucester Rugby has been a huge part of my life," said Buxton.
"My time at Gloucester has been fantastic, I've so much to be grateful for from my time at Kingsholm. There are so many memories and I've made so many good friends.
"However, I still feel I have a lot of rugby in me and the opportunity at Bristol is an exciting one.
"For the time being though, I'm going to make the most of every moment of my time remaining at Gloucester, and hope that we achieve as much as possible this season."
"I've only known Bucko for a relatively short period of time, but I've been hugely impressed with his professionalism during my time at the club," said Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Davies.
"He's held in high esteem by everyone at Gloucester Rugby, a true professional in every sense of the word. He's a fantastic example to the younger players at the club. It's been a pleasure to work with him.
"I know that he'll give nothing less than 100% for us for the rest of the season, and will wish him all the best for the future when the time comes."
Comments
sanka69 says...
Cheers for the memories Bucko - Bristol are geting one of the hardest working back-rowers in the game! Good luck down there and thanks for all the hard graft over the years!
Posted 09:27 12th February 2013