July Update for 2008/9

Much has been happening since our last game against Leicester Lions in April and as the new season approaches with a first ‘League’ game at Priory Park on Saturday 6 September when Hull Ionians visit now is the time for an update on the previously circulated information.

With Steve Mannion standing down after his stint at the helm which helped the Blues to retain ‘National’ status for a sixth season our Rugby Operations Manager – Brendan Thomas – has been busy recruiting ready for that important first game and the August ‘friendlies’ which will precede it.

The main news is that the coaching team for 2008/9 will comprise of the experienced duo of Geoff Wappett & Andy Northey with Guy Mason – now retired from playing – taking on the important role of making sure the squad are fully fit for the start of and throughout the campaign.

Both Geoff & Andy come to the club with good pedigrees at National League level with experience in Geoff’s case at Bradford & Bingley where we have come across him previously as he took them to Division 2.  He has also been heavily involved at Rotherham and last season at Hull where he was Director of Rugby. A schoolmaster by profession he is currently rugby consultant at Kirkham GS.

Andy has played for Waterloo, Lancashire, Northampton Saints & Rotherham as well as North of England.  He also had a glittering RL career with St Helens with two Challenge Cup Winners medals and a Super League Premiership.  He has coached at Rotherham & Sedgley Park.

More details for both in match programmes etc as the season commences.  Both new members of the Coaching team met with the players – new and old - at the club on Tuesday 24 June at 7.pm.before training commenced in earnest for the campaign.

On the playing side Mike Newell & Rueben Harvey have returned to New Zealand but we have recruited the following players:

Mark Devine (Prop), Craig Smithson (No 8) and Alan Marsh (Lock) from West Park Simon Francis (Full Back/Fly Half) Rotherham Academy & Leicester Lions

Luke Fowles (Back Three) from Waterloo.

Sam Cottrell (Scrum Half). He has played at Esher, Wharfedale & Cheshire.

Luke McCabe – Winger. He has played with Pontypool.

Rob McDermott a Centre/Full Back who has played for Tynedale, Newcastle & Staffordshire.

Gary McDermott a Stand Off who has experience with Longton & Staffordshire.

Ollie Pointon a versatile threequarter who has also played at Longton and Staffordshire.

Adam Nettle – Back Row– Leek & Staffordshire

Jonny Olley – Back Row - from Newcastle University.

Also joining the club are recent King’s School leavers: George Morrissey – former King’s captain (Back Row) Jack Scott-Sugden (Lock/Back Row) Bruce Lacey (Lock/Back Row), Dave Swetman (Stand Off/Full Back) & Finton Kerr (Prop)

Adam Mursal is moving South with his job and Jerry Bostock is calling it a day at Senior level after many years service.

It is good to report that Rob Bieniasz & Billy Robinson are both recovering well from their injuries and Matt Collie also hopes to be fit for the start of the season.

There are pre-season games to be played against Manchester –Home -  Thursday 14 August 7.pm.,

Wilmslow – Away - Friday 29 August 7.30.pm.

Sedgley Park Tigers Academy - Away - Saturday 30 August at 12.15.pm. after which Sedgley Park Tigers play Rotherham in their first Division 1 game of the season.

Pre Season training has got under way with excellent turn outs so far at club from 7.pm. to 9.pm. on Tuesday & Thursday with the Social Rugby players of the 3rds, 4^th & Vets getting under way on Wednesday evenings.  There are also five Saturday morning track sessions at Macclesfield Leisure Centre from 19 July through until 16 August from 10 to 11.am. with the final morning on 16^th August until mid day with a squad session after the Manchester game.   On Sunday 24 August from 10.am. to 5.pm. there is a Training day at the club with wrestling and other activities before a ‘social evening’ thereafter.

As last season the Lions are being managed by Chris Hehir with the experienced Iain Taylor taking on the coaching role with this side playing in the Premier Division of the Bateman BMW League

With several ‘ELV’s’ (Experimental Law Variations) coming into National League games this season the game will look a little different from the touchline and I hope to keep you all informed in the lead up to the first games just what they are all about.

September’s 1^st XV fixtures:

6^th v. Hull Ionians – Home

13^th v. Bradford & Bingley – Away

20^th v. Preston Grasshoppers – Home

27^th v. Huddersfield – Away

The draws have also been made for the 1^st Round of the EDF National Trophy in which we entertain Leigh on Saturday 18 October and in the Cheshire Cup on Tuesday 14 October we play Altrincham/Kersal – probably at Sale.

Make notes in your diary now,

Clubman