Connolly to Redcar

By Dave Picken - July 29 2003
Connolly to  Redcar
Tank
Jamie Connolly is to try his hand at coaching with Redcar. The popular Kiwi follows a long line of West players, including John Stabler and Paul Beal, in heading over the river and says its something he must "have a go at." He will be missed at West after finding his form at the end of last season.

Tank's form last season was hindered by worries over dizzy spells but, once a relatively harmless and fairly common condition was diagnosed, he was back to his old self.

No doubt he'll take that form into his first coaching role and Redcar have got themselves a first rate player and a coach who has experience of playing in the Heineken Cup.

Redcar finsihed ninth in North2East last season and Tank will be looking to get one over on his old teammates next season - at Mackinlay Park on November 8th and at Brinkburn on January 3rd.

Jamie says:"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I don't really know the squad, and they don't me, so I will be able to go in there with a clean sheet and give it my best."

Jamie let the club know last week that he was leaving, and it was no secret that one or two clubs were after his services as a player while others had approached him about coaching.

He has given loyal service to West after opting to help the club out when he returned to Hartlepool rather than accept some lucrative offers and we wish him all the best.