Former rugby player Eddie grapples with The Bear

Eddie Clarkson joined Wetherspoon as a shift manager in 2018 and is currently pub manager at The Bear (Maidenhead).

Originally from Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, he moved to Australia in 2016 to play rugby as a semi-professional player, yet returned home to the UK when his visa expired.

Eddie, 29, recalled: “My plan was to come back to the UK and further my education. I was looking for an apprenticeship, but they were all so low paid.”

Having taken on various jobs during his time in Australia, including hotel maintenance, window cleaning and labouring, as well as working in restaurants, Eddie was keen to break into the hospitality sector.

He said: “Hospitality is what I really wanted to do, and Wetherspoon was the only company I could find which was paying a living wage, together with an apprenticeship opportunity.

“I applied and was inducted at head office, then started in July 2018 as a shift manager at The Pennsylvanian (Rickmansworth).”

Eddie’s exams for his hospitality management qualification (level 4), scheduled for March 2020, were delayed through COVID-19.

However, he successfully completed his apprenticeship the following year and was also promoted, in May 2021, to pub manager at The Pennsylvanian, where he enjoyed great success.

Eddie continued: “This was always what I wanted to do.

“I was eager to learn quickly.

“As a shift manager, I supported the pub manager and received a lot of support in return.”

Eddie moved to The Bear in October 2023 and is enjoying his role.

He said: “The Bear is a bigger pub, with a bigger team, a larger outside area and two floors, as well as very different operationally. It has provided a new challenge and new experience for me.

“When things are more settled for me at The Bear, I will also be looking to studying the next business management degree courses (levels 5 and 6).

“I feel that I’ve made good inroads and, at the moment, I am very, very happy as a pub manager.

I’m really enjoying it and still see myself as a pub manager in 10 years’ time.

“I am now very settled and see my future with Wetherspoon.”

Eddie now lives back in Princes Risborough, close to his family again. Although not playing rugby any more, he enjoys going to the gym and walking his dog, Ronald.

Eddie added: “I have had a lot of support from all of my pub managers and area manager Gemma Gillingham.

“I have had nothing but positive experiences and am thoroughly enjoying my job.”