By Frank Stormont
June 22 2006

Tim returns to Albion after travelling the world and playing in New Zealand and Australia.

Tim Mathias signs for Plymouth Albion

Tim Mathias shakes hands with his new sponsor Ryan Fletcher after having his hair done at Partners Hair Studios in New George Street Plymouth.

Tim, a 25 year old prop, has agreed terms with Plymouth Albion after taking 1 year out to see the world, well some of it! Tim had played for Albion while he was at Plymouth University between 2001 and 2004 but he felt that he had not realised his full potential and after university returned to his home, Weston Super Mare, to play for his first club, before taking a long trip around the World. This gave him the opportunity to play in New Zealand and Australia.  His lasting memory of the trip was at Sydney Harbour and seeing in 2006 after having a few drinks.

Tim has played three games for the Warriors this year against Bristol, Launceston and the Navy. He was also part of the Devon side that won a place in the final at Twickenham. Tim is looking to make an early entry into the Albion side but realises that he may have to work his passage through Albion's development team Westcountry Warriors. 

A school teacher spotted Tim's potential when he was 15 and persuaded him to play for the school team. At 19 he had trials for England Under 21s but at the time was not selected. His Rugby idol is Jason Leonard and his ambition is to play at Premiership level hopefully with Plymouth Albion.

If you have seen Tim play over the past months he would stand out not just for his playing ability but also for his hair which would hang out of his scrum cap.  Now he has had a restyle at  Ryan Fletcher's hair Studio Partners, his sponsor for the year. Tim's hair now just reaches his collar and has a professional look.  Tim is happy with his new look and pleased to have his hair cut shorter which he feels will be better for his game as it used to get in the way.

This is Ryan Fletchers first experience of sponsorship and hopes that it will bring his business to a new market with advertising board at Brickfields and the advertising in the match day programme.  Partners Hair Studio is very much a family business as Ryan set it up with his partner Amy Hayden a year ago and it is managed by his sister Kelly Fletcher. They took over a business that had been running for over 20 years and it has recently been refurbished.  Full range of options are available for clients as they have a staff of 15 at their New George Street studio and are open late on Thursdays and Fridays, till 8pm. You can make an appointment by ringing 01752 672174 but please mention Plymouth Albion when you do.

Tuesday saw two Albion players in the chair having around £110 worth of cut, trim and tint work done as Tim was joined by star fly half Ed Barnes who has his hair sponsored by Partners.