Sussex rugby player gives himself a Tiger King haircut to raise cash for new clubhouse

Netflix-hit Tiger King has taken the world by storm, with fans dressing up like eccentric star Joe Exotic.
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But one fan has taken it to the next level by giving himself a Tiger King-style haircut.

Jamie Diggle has traded his long locks for Joe Exotic’s bleached blond mullet to raise cash for his local rugby club – Haywards Heath RFC.

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The 32-year-old set up a JustGiving page with a target of raising £1,000, which he smashed in just five hours.

Jamie Diggle donning his new Tiger King-style haircut and moustacheJamie Diggle donning his new Tiger King-style haircut and moustache
Jamie Diggle donning his new Tiger King-style haircut and moustache

“At first, I thought oh my goodness, what have I done! But it has grown on me,” said Jamie, when speaking about his new hairdo.

“My girlfriend, Robyn, is gutted – she wants my long hair back! I’ve been getting a lot of funny looks! When I am in the supermarket or garage, I get the side eye!

“I got a free kebab and chips the other day just for having the hair cut!”

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Jamie is originally from Newcastle but moved to Crawley on his own ten years ago.

Jamie Diggle with his rugby team players and coachJamie Diggle with his rugby team players and coach
Jamie Diggle with his rugby team players and coach

As well as Haywards Heath RFC, he has played for other Sussex county league teams.

He said Haywards Heath RFC is in desperate need of a new, multi-use clubhouse and he wanted to do his bit to help.

“The existing clubhouse in Whitemans Green, Cuckfield, is really old and tacky,” said Jamie.

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“It is either boiling hot or cold water in the showers. Having a new facility would be incredible.”

Jamie DiggleJamie Diggle
Jamie Diggle

When Jamie set up the JustGiving page he set out three tiers of fundraising; £250 for Joe Exotic’s bleach blond mullet and hairstyle, £500 for the hair and moustache and £1,000 for the hair, moustache, and eyebrow piercings.

But he was shocked when funds just started flying in.

“So I’ve got to get my eyebrows pierced as soon as lockdown is over – which is a pretty upsetting deal!” laughed Jamie.

“I am going to see if people will negotiate a tattoo instead!

Picture contributedPicture contributed
Picture contributed
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“When my girlfriend cut my hair, I did a Facebook Live and it just went mad. I’m over the moon to raise money for the rugby club.”

Speaking about the hit series on Netflix, he said: “Tiger King is mad. I think everybody loved the programme.”

Jamie has worked at Gatwick Airport as a project manager for seven years, but projects are on hold due to coronavirus. While in lockdown, he has been working for a friend’s tree surgery company.

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