Official West Hartlepool RFC

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but would I be right in thinking that Mark Laycock is not playing regular rugby on a Saturday at the moment? I think he could make a massive impact (in pretty much any position in the backs) and be just what we need, even if work commitments means he can't make every game or even every training session.

Just a thought............

... and the Junior Academy is now being closed down!!

...........mmmm - interesting - sorry, I did not know that

Would be good if you used some of the young talent that already exists in the backs at the club.

Maybe it was a little optomistic, but I know he is fond of the club, and will surely be sad to see us struggling at the minute.

Not really sure what is meant by Westie 1's comment... As far as I can see, we are using plenty of the young backs from the club, infact the whole of the backline playing at present has come through the club's junior setup, including the likes of Tom Wilson and Harry Redhead fresh from the colts and performing well. One thing we could never be accused of is not giving our own young lads a chance. Even when we have gone out and signed players, more often than not, they were West lads anyway (Gareth Kerr, Arron Myers, Ian Dixon etc), and that was why I suggested Mark, because he is a West lad.

"Would be good if you used some of the young talent that already exists in the backs at the club."

Hang on a mo ... aren't we already doing that?
Seeing this season's backs in the club after a game is like being back at school.



Post Edited (12-12-09 10:43)

God, he s changed. Would always run a mile if confronted by the fairer sex.Hope he has a chaperone... Perhaps he could coach us as well...?

As much as i would love to see Mark at the club it is quite ridiculous really, as he is clearly doing very well and making a good living out of the game. Im sure he would be disapointed to see us bottom of the table but i would like to try and put things in perspective a little!
There is no getting away from the fact that we are bottom of the league and that it is gonna take a big turn around for us to avoid relegation! However, it is not time to start to panic. The club has come so far in the last 5 years! We turn 3 or 4 teams out every week and the youth set up is thriving so for people to start talking about going backwards or 'a crisis' is crap!
Yesterday i watched a few of the westoe lads looking at the photos on the wall from our glory days and it makes you feel proud to be part of a club with such history but those who have stuck with the club over the last 10 years should be just as proud of what they have done because if they hadnt there would be nowhere to put the photos!
I guess what im trying to say is that West was on the brink of no longer existing and we are now a very, very healthy rugby club again, so people need to remember that!
I,m not saying it doesnt matter that we are bottom of the league because it does and we are all gutted! We will turn things around so lets not get carried away and stop all this talk about bringing in people to rescue us because we have everything we need to turn things around, its just gonna be hard work for everyone!
come on west!!!!!!!

Great rallying cry oldge ... let's hope the majority of people on and off the pitch agree with you.
It's easy to forget what has happened in a few years, and it's a test of character within the club to see if we can bounce back ... soon.

I agree there is a superb youth policy at west always have been , but you must admit the difference between 1st team rugby in this league is a massive step up for any youngster , how many leagues below the 1st team would the stags be in ??? i`m not sure but looking at the teams this season i would suggest most have strengthened their teams by enticing players to them , one way or another !!! , whether this bodes well for their future thats up to them , possibly West could have done a bit more to strengthen the team , ( i`m sure they did ) , but suffice to say we are lacking in certain key positions where experience is essential.................

When are we going to blood some of the obvious young talent that we have at the club? We have done it with Wilson and Redhead which is great to see but not others who in my opinion deserved that oppotunity a long while ago!

Do you have anyone in mind Westie 1? Bailey and Larkin have both been involved as well. In my opinion the young lads do get their chance when it is deserved!

Coatesy young sos stu waites also have played



Post Edited (15-12-09 09:46)

Scott Butcher too

Some of those you have mentioned have only been involved (normally for 5/10 mins as subs) at the convenience of the 1st team when the squad have been depleted by injury not on the merit they deserve.

Olly, I don't have a problem with leaving the selection to the powers that be but the observation remains the same.