Issue 13 v Sheffield DIGITAL READY

V SHEFFIELD RUFC SATURDAY, 25TH MAR 2023 KO 15.00

OFFICIAL DIGITAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

ISSUE 13

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THEWOODLANDS WELCOMETO

CLUB OFFICERS President

Anthony Hoskisson

Chairman Secretary Treasurer

Matt Filipo Gary Melling

TBA

Immediate Past President

Jeff Gould

GENERAL COMMITEE Chairman of Rugby Steve Rigby Executive Rugby Consultant Mark Nelson M-J Chair Greg Mahon Commercial Mike Davies Volunteers Co-ordinator

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BRIERSY’S & LONO’S PROGRAMME NOTES THE ENGLAND RUGBY TEAM THAT’S LIFE, BY MARK NELSON

Roger Westbrook

Club Discipline

Craig Aikman

Safeguarding Lead

Caroline Melling

BEER, GIN & FIZZ FESTIVAL 26TH-28TH MAY

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RUGBY MANAGEMENT Joint Head Coaches

Chris Briers & Alex Loney

1st XV Coach Aled Trenhaile Rugby Operations Manager Warren Atkinson Resources Manager Peter Conway Hawks Coach Phill Mills Saracens & Vandals

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FYLDE RUGBY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION EASTER CAMPS BIG MATCH PREVIEW FYLDE V SHEFFIELD RUFC

Jay Harrison, Damian King

Chair – Mini-Juniors

Greg Mahon

18-19

Referee Liaison

Allan Townsend

4th Official Ian Cosh Match Day & Fixture Official Patrick Townsend

20-21 TODAY’S SQUADS

MEDICAL Hon Physicians Lead Therapist

TBA

Molly Hart-Ryan

FROM FYLDE TO THE STEEL CITY AND BACK AGAIN – BY ROB PARR

22-23

CLUB OFFICIALS Grounds & Maintenance Media, Comms & Archives

Patrick Townsend

Allan Foster

Gates

John Wilkinson

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SPICEY SARRIES ARE CHAMPIONS AND WIN PROMOTION!

STAFF Commercial & Mkting Mgr Sponsorship & Events Mgr

Naomi Dempsey Hayley Salisbury

Bars & Catering Mgr

Heather Allen Daniel Koper

Fylde Rfc, Woodlands Memorial Ground, Blackpool Road, Lytham St Annes Fy8 4El, Lancashire Phone: 01253 734733 Email: info@fylderugby.co.uk

Chef

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03 3

TODAY’S MATCH SPONSOR: CARL CHRISTOPHER THE JEWELLERS A very warm welcome to match sponsor, local jewellers Carl Christopher, based in Lytham and one of the Club’s new business partners. We hope that the Company’s staff and guests enjoy today’s hospitality and match.

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PHILL MILLS IS NEW HAWKS COACH BREAKING: Phill Mills is the Hawks new Head Coach Fylde RFC is delighted to announce that Phill Mills has been appointed as Head Coach of Fylde Hawks for the 2022-23 season. He takes over from Dominic Moon who has stood down due to business commitments. Phill is an accomplished former Lancashire, England Counties and Fylde flanker/hooker who has also had spells at Preston Grasshoppers and Rossendale. At the age of 28 he was recently forced to retire prematurely through injury. He is also the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation Manager heading up the Foundation’s various and extremely successful rugby and sporting programmes in educational and adult communities along the Fylde Coast. He has many years experience of coaching young and older people in a wide variety of environments. Fylde’s Chairman of Rugby Steve Rigby said: “It was a sad day for the whole club and our County when Phill Mills followed medical advice and announced his retirement from rugby after a series of concussions made it a sensible decision. As a combative hard-running flanker, his energy around the park was very hard to replace, and the game temporarily lost a valuable asset.

major asset and couldn’t be happier to have him back involved directly in player development.” Phill Mills said: ““I am really looking forward to getting started with the new coaching position and preparing for the first games with the Hawks squad. I know from being a past player,

training and playing with the current group that they are an ambitious, talented and have a great team bond which goes a long way in developing a great team. I’m excited to be a part of this!” Fylde Hawks is the Club’s development route to the 1st XV and plays in the North West Independent Rugby Union League (NOWIRUL) Premier Division. An increasing number of young players are progressing through its ranks to 1st XV National League appearances.

Windmill Lodge is due to open in late Summer 2022, providing compassionate care in a warm, safe and secure environment.

The purpose-built lodge will also offer a Day Centre for those requiring extra support and companionship but are not ready to move into full-time residential care.

Providing compassionate care

However, Phill has been a great success in heading up the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation over the last few years, taking Rugby into several non-playing schools and spreading access to the game throughout the area. In addition, Walking and Wheelchair Rugby are now activities available through the Foundation under Phill’s leadership in his day time job. With last season’s Hawks Coach Dominic Moon leaving the Club in the summer due to work commitments, it was the perfect time to bring Phill’s coaching expertise to replace him, and for him to work with a talented squad. The Club knows Phill will be a Residential Care General Nursing Care Day Centre

Residential Dementia Care

Dementia Nursing Care

6 www.windmilllodge.co.uk 01253 800 000 Wilding’s Lane, Lytham St Annes, FY8 3RJ

BRIERSY’S & LONO’S & LONO’S PROGRAMME NOTES

Chris Briers says: “Welcome back to the Woodlands after the short and much needed break. Today we look forward to facing Sheffield in what we expect to be a tough encounter. Last time out we faced Sedgley Park in a top of the table clash and for the spectators the game did not disappoint. The game was well matched and both sides had opportunities to take the victory, but neither side could break down the defences enough edge the win. As coaches, both Alex and I were very proud of the performance the squad produced and whilst we all felt there were opportunities to win, we couldn’t fault the effort and desire from the squad. This week, we face Sheffield who really challenged us at their ground earlier in the year. The game was tight at half time, and whilst we were the stronger outfit in the second half, they managed to prevent us gaining a 4 try bonus point. This time we face them, after a welcome rest, and hope to put in a performance which can deliver 5 points. We hope you all have an enjoyable afternoon of rugby.”

Photo: left to right Chris Briers, Aled Trenhaile and Alex Loney.

Photo: left to right Chris Briers, Aled Trenhaile and Alex Loney.

ELSEWHERE IN NATIONAL TWO (NORTH) TODAY

WHARFEDALE

v

SHEFFIELD TIGERS

15:00

ROTHERHAM

v

OTLEY

14:00

BLAYDON

v

CHESTER

15:00

HULL IONIANS

v

PRESTON G

15:00

SEDGLEY PARK

v

HUDDERSFIELD

14:30

HARROGATE

v

TYNEDALE

15:00

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THEENGLANDRUGBYTEAM……. THAT’S LIFE, BY MARK NELSON

There’s been lots of debate around the 6 Nations and the England Team performance. We’ve been here many times before, a 3rd 4th 5th place finish. Seeming mediocrity, ‘also rans’ in a six team tournament. There has been a brilliant series on BBC called ‘Slammed’ about the Welsh side in the 1970s and then into this Century (see http:/bit.ly/3loiTRb). Success is cyclical. A group of players click with a coach, or they don’t. They get lucky in close games, or they don’t. Teams create a momentum but it always has a finite lifespan. That’s sport for you. “That’s life. That’s what all the people say. You’re riding high in April, shot down in May.” [Kay & Gordon] Steve Borthwick’s England - played five, won two, lost three. Everyone says it’s been a poor showing. France was humiliating, maybe. However, let’s look at the next tournament. The big one, World Cup 23 in France. Three of the top 5 rated teams (Ireland, SA, Scotland) are in same group. France and NZ in same pool and all those big guns can knock each other out in quarter finals. England on the other hand could potentially have a relatively easy route to the semis. Once you are in knockout territory you just need to get lucky. When England won in 2003 they beat an exciting France in the pouring rain in the semi, and the best team in the tournament the All Blacks lost unexpectedly to the Aussies. Even then, England had to go to the wire in extra time. They rode their luck but no one really mentions that. England need to get a basic team picked now. Best possible set piece pack, at least 3 massively physical carriers up front with two world class destroyers at the breakdown. A decisive 9 and Farrell at 10. A line breaker at 12 and a 13 capable of controlling wide defence and holding the space for a back three who can do the technical work efficiently and finish tries when required. They need X Factor creative on bench, Smith, and a mercurial speedster, Arundel, to throw into the mix.

The replacement forwards should be like for like with maybe a flyer of a 7. Get that selected now, train with an attitude and approach that has clarity and purpose and get as fit as possible to at maximum intensity for every minute of every game. If they

are going to kick make every kick accurate and intelligent and every chase ruthless. No Defence is defensive, tackling is the opportunity to regather the ball and score from the turnover. If they all buy into a common goal that is not overly complex but has a purity of performance then there is no reason at all why England can’t have a successful World Cup campaign . I personally would bring in a selection consultant to work with the coaches. That person doesn’t even have to be named, but selection is the key thing now and once that has been done decisively the coaches can get on with building the team. The worst possible thing now is dithering and experimentation. If the coaching group demonstrates leadership and clarity, the players will follow and perform accordingly…... That’s Life.

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BEER, GIN & FIZZ FESTIVAL

26th- 28th MAY

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13

FRCF EASTER CAMPS NOW AT FYLDE Fylde Rugby Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the return of its Easter Rugby and Multi- Sport Camps for children

aged 5-11 and 12-16, offering children the opportunity to participate in a range of rugby and multi-sport activities.

Last year’s Easter Rugby and Multi-Sport Camps were a huge success, with children from across the Fylde and Wyre enjoying a fun and engaging programme of activities, and we are excited to build on this success in 2023. The Easter Rugby and Multi-Sport Camps are open to children of all abilities, and previous rugby experience is not required. The camps will be held from 9am to 3pm each day. • Easter 12-16 HAF Camp: 3rd of April – Fylde Rugby Club • Easter 5-11 HAF Camp: 4th, 5th & 6th of April – Fylde Rugby Club • Easter 12-16 HAF Camp: 11th of April – Garstang Rugby Club • Easter 5-11 HAF Camp: 12th, 13th & 14th of April – Garstang Rugby Club • Easter 5-11 HAF Camp: 12th, 13th & 14th of April – Fylde Rugby Club • Easter 5-11 HAF Camp: 12th, 13th & 14th of April – Fleetwood Rugby Club For the younger age group of 5-11, Easter- themed activities such as Easter egg hunts and arts and crafts will be included alongside rugby and sports activities. For the older age group of 12-16, the participants will take part in analysis, strength and conditioning sessions, and focus on different positional skills which will all benefit towards improving their overall game. Ben Turner (Camp Lead) expressed excitement over the expansion of the Easter Rugby Camps to include Garstang Rugby Club and

Fleetwood Rugby Club, noting that it is a fantastic opportunity to promote ‘Rugby For All’. “I am thrilled to be leading the Easter Rugby Camps this year,” Ben said. “The camps are a great way to keep children active and engaged during the Easter half-term break while providing them with a platform to develop their rugby skills. It is great to see the expansion of the camps to include Garstang Rugby Club and Fleetwood Rugby Club, and I am looking forward to welcoming children from across the Fylde Coast to the camps.” Additionally, we are proud to announce that we are part of the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme again, which provides funded places on the camps for children who are on the free school meal provision. This initiative is supported by the Fylde and Wyre council, and we are delighted to be able to

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E GARSTANG & FLEETWOOD CLUBS

offer these places to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to participate in our Easter Rugby Camps. Parents who are interested in applying for a funded place on the Easter Rugby Camps through the HAF programme can find the booking links below. Fylde Rugby Community Foundation Booking Site: www.clubs-hub.com/ fylderugbycommunityfoundation/ Holiday Activities and Food Camp Booking links Fylde Rugby HAF Ages 12-16 and 5-11 Booking site https:/www.fylde.gov.uk/easter-haf- 2023-provider-information/ Garstang Rugby Ages 12-16 HAF Booking Site https:/ www.wyre.gov.uk/holiday-clubs-kids/ fylde-rugby-club-garstang-youth-ages-12-16

Garstang Rugby Ages 5-11 HAF Booking Site – Easter https:/ www.wyre.gov.uk/holiday- clubs-kids/fylde-rugby-club-garstang/1 Fleetwood Rugby Ages 5-11 HAF Booking Site – Easter https:/ www.wyre.gov.uk/holiday- clubs-kids/fylde-rugby-club-fleetwood- ages-5-11

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FYLDE 19 SEDGLEY PARK 19: REP Fylde and Sedgley played 80 minutes of breath-taking rugby in a match that had everyone on the edge of their imaginary seats around The Woodlands from start to finish. The build-up to the match was quite simple, it was first in the league versus second, the home side the perfect nine from nine on their own soil, the visitors winning all 19 matches so far this season, someone’s 100% record, having to go. Unlike like last year where all that rain cast the match in doubt, it was perfect playing conditions, and a staring contest was developing between both sets of players almost, neither wanting to blink and lose their focus. The Tigers were seemingly just waiting to pounce and they were clinical on 31 minutes to take their next chance, when another strong

Sedgley were calm, composed and clinical to put themselves into a 12-0 lead, but then came the fightback from Fylde which completely rocked the Tigers and saw them go 19-12 up. They soon regained their balance to level it at 19-19, and three missed penalty goals later, which all brought absolute silence to the entire Lytham coast it seemed, that’s how it finished, as the points were shared. It was a tense atmosphere around the ground prior to kick-off, there was no calm before the storm. A clubhouse which was packed full of both sets of supporters showed how much the game meant to the sides, one of them looking for a repeat, the other out for revenge. Fylde controlled all of the possession in the opening 10 minutes, keeping the ball and settling into things while the Sedgley defence stood firm. A lapse in concentration at the line- out though saw the visitors react the quickest and give themselves a chance to turn the tables, and see what the home side were really made of. Their powerful forwards, which had given Fylde nightmares since that day last February where they walked away from the Lytham coast with a 38-0 victory, were starting to make them relive it all over again. Oscar Crowe eventually barged his way over to score after a sustained bombardment on the Fylde line, with Stephen Collins converting to make it 7-0.

driving maul saw hooker Danny Maher score his 14th try of the season. Collins missed the kick, leaving it at 12-0, but Fylde weren’t going to go away quietly, and came roaring back. On 37 minutes, Sam Stelmaszek was sin binned for a deliberate knock on, and the hosts took advantage, sucking the visitors into the middle, and moving the ball out-wide quickly to David Fairbrother who crashed over to score on his 150th appearance for the club. Smith converted to bring it to 12-7 to Sedgley at half- time. That try before the break seemed to have given Fylde the confidence boost they needed, and a slick passing move out to the left put Tom Grimes in at the corner to level things up. They then went ahead for the first time in the match a

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PORT BY ELLIOT BURROW few minutes later, Sedgley trying to play out of their own half and making an uncharacteristic error, which allowed Connor Wilkinson to pick up the pieces and race away to score, Smith converted and it was 19-12 to Fylde.

With their unbeaten record under serious threat, Sedgley responded through a good attacking move of their own, George Bordill finishing it off and Collins converting to make it all square again with 20 minutes to play. Pressure bumped up another notch, if that was

Fylde joint coach Chris Briers was proud of the way his team performed throughout the full match, he said: “The way we kept the ball in that first-half was excellent I thought, and we knew that it had to tire them out, which then gave us those chances in the second- half. We knew we had let ourselves down at Tynedale and if we turned up like that today, no disrespect to Tynedale of course because they were brilliant, but, we would be swept aside easily. I’m just happy how we’ve played and it was a great game from start to finish.”

even possible at this point. First Collins tried to edge his side back in front from 40 metres out, nothing but silence as he stepped up, but his attempt fell wide. Smith then decided it was Fylde’s turn to give it a crack as well, more silence ensued, but his effort from 50 metres out was also unsuccessful. Third time is usually the charm then, but that wasn’t to be the case for Smith, you could hear a pin drop once more as he approached to kick it, but his effort fell short with only two minutes left on the clock, and left it level. By the time that Sedgley skipper Matt Riley decided to bring an end to it all by kicking the ball out of play from a penalty tap, we had well and truly gone past the 80 minute mark, almost five minutes to be exact. 19-19 it finished, the points shared, a classic had just played out.

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BIG MATCH

including v Sheffield Tigers (14-35), Otley (20-18), ‘Hoppers (38-

FYLDE v SHEFFIELD RUFC Sheffield RUFC return to the

Woodlands on Saturday (ko 15.00) after a gap of 29 years. There were regular fixtures between the clubs from the 1974-75 season up until 1995, most often at level three in the RFU league system, then called National League Three. Fylde’s return to Sheffield’s well established multi-sport base in Abbeydale Park in November 2022 restored the friendly rivalry. Recent seasons have seen Sheffield competing in Northern regional leagues, most frequently at level five, in the North and Midlands Premier Divisions. Their promotion from Midlands Premier after finishing in 2nd place last season came via a play-off and brought the clubs facing each other once again. The 2022-23 season has been rather a struggle for Sheffield and they currently sit in 11th place in N2(N) though well clear of any relegation fears. They have won seven and lost fourteen games so far in this campaign, sitting three paces lower in the division than local city rivals Sheffield Tigers. Both are located in the beautiful south west of the city, a few miles apart. They have won four of their 10 home games and three away matches. Four victories in their first six fixtures,

17) and Harrogate (22-47), was an excellent start. They then hit a bad spell with eight successive defeats (including a 5-24 loss to Fylde) before completing a double v ‘Hoppers at

Lightfoot Green (18-24) and beating Harrogate at home (21-10). Their biggest win of the campaign was a 64-5 hammering of Blaydon in late February. Fylde struggled to break down a dogged Sheffield defence in November and the Yorkshire club frustrated the visitors’ normally potent attack. Matches between Fylde and Sheffield began in 1974 and there were 17 in all up to 1995. Together with the match in November 2022, Fylde shade the bragging rights by 11-7. Two Fylde players moved to Sheffield in the 1980s/90s, flanker Rob Parr (who describes with great affection his long spell at Abbeydale Park elsewhere in this programme) and team mate,

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putting him 4th in the N2(N) ranking. Other mainstays of the squad include veteran lock Dominic Parsons, formerly with Championship experience at Doncaster Knights, frequently partnering Dave Clayden in the row. Props include Jake Hicklin and Ben Whitney, and Archie Crapper and Matt Adcock in the backrow. Amongst the Sheffield three quarters, wing Christian Hooper has had a very productive campaign with 13 tries to date. Photos from Sheffield v Fylde in Nov 2022 courtesy of Sheffield’s Colin Fisher. Going back into the Archives, here are team sheets from 1989 & 1994. The 1989 game at the Woodlands was particularly important as Sheffield’s 9-24 victory saved them from relegation.

scrum-half Ian Wright, now sadly no longer with us. Sheffield’s Head Coach since late 2021 is the very experienced former fly-half Anthony Posa whose son has succeeded him as number 10 in the current squad. New Zealand-born Posa, with a Croatian family background, has been a mainstay of the Croatian National squad and earned more than 50 international caps. He is also director of rugby at the University of Sheffield, previously set up the Doncaster Knights Academy and earned four promotions in four years while in charge of Beverley. Their most high profile signing ahead of the 2022-23 season was the accomplished and powerful backrower, Ryan Burrows, who has very senior experience at Rotherham Titans, Leeds Tykes, Newcastle Falcons (including Premiership appearances) and Coventry. Fylde match reporter Simon Taylor highlighted his outstanding performance against Fylde last November. Top points scorer is scrum-half Elliot Fisher who is having a tremendous season, notching 15 tries and, with kicking duties too, a total of 169 points in all

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Are your financ www.ludco.co.uk

COACHES: CHRIS BRIERS, ALED TRENHAILE AND ALEX LONEY FORWARDS Matt Ashcroft (prop)

Zack Barrow (prop) Patreece Bell (prop) Corey Bowker (prop) David Fairbrother (no 8) Matt Garrod (lock) Ben Gregory (hooker) Toby Harrison (backrow) Joe Higgins (prop) Henry Higginson (backrow) Sam Parker (hooker)

Ben O'Ryan (backrow) Olli Parkinson (lock)

Charlie Partington (backrow) Tristan Woodman (backrow) BACKS Tom Carleton (fullback) Alex Clayton (flyhalf) Jordan Dorrington (wing/15) Tom Forster (centre) Tom Grimes (wing) Adam Lanigan (scrum-half) Cole Potts (scrum-half) Scott Rawlings (centre) Greg Smith (flyhalf) Ben Turner (wing) Connor Wilkinson (centre)

TODAY’S OFFICIALS

JAMES O'BRIEN

TIM BROWN

SIMON LAZENBY

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ces under control? Ludlow Wealth Management Group is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. ces under control? Ludlow Wealth Management Group is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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DIRECTOR OF RUGBY:

Alfie Kimpton Ieuan Cooke

15 14 13 12

Ed Vitta

Will Smith

Christian Hooper

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Callum Posa Elliot Fisher

10

9

Ben Whitney

1

Sam Grady-Graham

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Jake Hicklin Dave Clayden

Dominic Parsons Archie Crapper Matthew Adcock Ryan Burrows

Aaron Lonsdale

16 17 18 19 20

Jude Noble

George Rogers Tom Womack

Joe Perry

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FROMFYLDETO TO THE STEEL C

playing against them for Fylde. I had had the misfortune of playing against them at their home ground, Abbeydale, in late December. For various reasons, we had not taken a full-strength pack over the Pennines and we had a torrid afternoon getting pushed around by the strong Sheffield pack and lost 31-3. Undoubtedly, the worst part of the afternoon was listening to their front row singing Christmas carols as they pushed us down the hill in the scrums. When our coach pulled out of the Abbeydale

Sheffield v Plymouth Albion, 1991

I started my rugby career at Fylde as a colt in 1981 and went on to play nearly 50 games in the 1st XV before taking a job in Sheffield once I had graduated from Leeds University. I thoroughly enjoyed playing at Fylde from the first day I turned up at the Woodlands as a young 18-year-old from Blackpool. I made my debut for the 1st XV at Gloucester on Good Friday 1983 and, after getting 10 stitches in my head after a “stray boot” caught me in a ruck, I realised that I had found a game that appealed to my strange sense of pleasure and pain. In the following 2 seasons I played in Fylde 1st XV in the back row alongside Mark Hesketh, Andy Macfarlane and Tony Simpson. After that I played all my rugby in Yorkshire - one season at Headingley whilst I finished my degree and then 6 great seasons at Sheffield after graduating. Both of these clubs had fixtures with Fylde every season and it always felt quite strange playing against my home club. When I turned up at Sheffield in the summer of 1987, I did not really know the guys at Sheffield but had one very strong memory of

Fylde v Liverpool, Lancashire Cup Semi-Final, 1983

car park I honestly would have been happy never to visit Sheffield again. Little did I know that I would actually spend most of my rugby playing career at Abbeydale. By 1987, National Leagues had been formed to replace the Northern Merit Table. Sheffield and Fylde both started off playing in the National League 3 and so, had home and away fixtures against each other. Sheffield had been the established side in South Yorkshire for many years but even before payments to players were allowed, teams like Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Tigers had started making their

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CITYANDBACKAGAIN–BYROBPARR ascent through the league system. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s,

Sheffield played expansive rugby with a half-back partnership of Ian Wright and Bill Reichwald, leading a very talented back line that was bolstered by young players from Sheffield Polytechnic. Ian Wright had played for Fylde, Preston Grasshoppers and Nottingham before arriving in Sheffield. Bill was an ever-present member of the Sheffield team for nearly 20 seasons in which he clocked up 515 games. He was captain for 372 of these games and was an inspiration to young players like myself, both on or off the pitch. I was Bill’s vice-captain for 3 seasons before taking over the captaincy for my last 2 seasons at Abbeydale. In the 6 seasons that I played at Sheffield, we played in National 3 and finished in the top half of the table in most of these seasons. There was one season when Sheffield had struggled and we turned up for the last game of the season at the Woodlands needing a win to be certain of retaining our place in National 3. Fortunately for us, Fylde were safe in the top half of the table and were not challenging for the single promotion place. Sheffield had to work very hard to win the game and therefore avoided relegation. The team were extremely relieved and very happy with the result. We settled in for quite a late night in the old clubhouse to celebrate our victory. This involved some obligatory drinking games and resulted in a naked conga around the clubhouse!! An experience that you will be pleased to know I have no plans to repeat.

Sheffield Team Photo 1992-93

After 163 appearances, I played my last game for Sheffield in April 1993 and effectively retired from rugby with some extremely good memories of my time at Abbeydale which, for the most of it, we punched very much above our weight. Before my last season, Fylde had been promoted into National 2 and after a re- structuring of the leagues, Sheffield found themselves in National 4. They then experienced some difficult times but have climbed back up by getting promoted 4 times in the last 12 seasons to where they are now. So, this is the first season that the clubs have played each other since the 1991-92 season. After nearly 20 years living in Yorkshire on “Missionary Work”, I returned to my Lancastrian roots in 2001. I re-connected with my first club and have been involved in various roles at Fylde since then. I have to admit though, that I have divided loyalties as the friendships that I made whilst playing at Sheffield mean ever so much to me.

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23

LADIES DAY … AND GET YOUR FUNK ON AT FYLDE ON SATURDAY!

• Beaverbrooks • Questa Chartered Mortgages- Fizz • Tropic - Debbie Preston • Clayton’s Jewellers

Welcome to Ladies Day 2023! We hope that everyone attending the Club today has a great time. Particular thanks to the efforts and generosity of local businesses who are supporting Ladies Day: Donations of prizes and other benefits:

Lottie Design is providing all the table flowers and a raffle bouquet. Tricia Hounslow is the Fashion Show organiser

• ABC Therapy- massage • Pure Mischief - lingerie • Pemberton’s Shop & Farm Life • The Truth – beauty • Zest Café/Restaurant

Daniel Sings is the MC and entertainment.

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27

1STXVFIXTURES &RESULTS2022-23

NAT TWO LEAGUE (NORTH)

W/L/D

W

13-Aug-22 20-Aug-22 27-Aug-22 03-Sep-22 10-Sep-22 17-Sep-22 24-Sep-22 01-Oct-22 08-Oct-22 15-Oct-22 22-Oct-22 29-Oct-22 05-Nov-22 12-Nov-22 19-Nov-22 26-Nov-22 03-Dec-22 10-Dec-22 17-Dec-22 24-Dec-22 31-Dec-22 07-Jan-23 14-Jan-23 21-Jan-23 28-Jan-23 04-Feb-23 11-Feb-23 18-Feb-23 25-Feb-23 04-Mar-23 11-Mar-23 18-Mar-23 25-Mar-23 01-Apr-23 08-Apr-23 15-Apr-23 22-Apr-23 29-Apr-23 06-May-23

BLACKBURN (friendly)

50-29 34-14

L

Sale FC (friendly)

W W W W W W W W

CHESTER

34-29

Preston Grasshoppers

6-22 74-5

HARROGATE

Hull Ionians BLAYDON

31-34

42-7

Rotherham Titans WHARFEDALE

16-41

43-3

TYNEDALE Sedgley Park

43-10 30-20 57-14

L

W

HUDDERSFIELD

W W

Sheffield RUFC

5-24

SHEFFIELD TIGERS

20-11

- -

Otley

Postponed Postponed

PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS

Christmas New Year Harrogate

W W W W

0-52

HULL IONIANS

22-15 12-31 30-23 28-27 32-29

Blaydon

ROTHERHAM TITANS

L

Otley

W W

PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS

6-24

Wharfedale

L

23-12 19-19

Tynedale

D

SEDGLEY PARK

Huddersfield

Postponed

SHEFFIELD RUFC

Sheffield Tigers

Easter OTLEY Chester

Huddersfield

28

THEFRIDAY CLUB The Friday Club, the loyal band of volunteers who do all kind of vital jobs around the Woodlands Grounds, recently hosted the Eco Council from Ansdell Primary School (www.ansdellprimary.co.uk). One of their projects was to plant trees (saplings) and bulbs in the Ansdell area. The Friday Club’s David Kerr’s has been involved in the excellent work of the ‘Lytham in Bloom’ group. He forged a relationship with the School and this has resulted in the recent planting of eight saplings around the Woodlands grounds as well as nearly 100 bulbs.

The kids loved it, as did David!

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29

It couldn’t be easier to become a member of Ribby Hall Village’s premier health & fitness club !

For more information on memberships visit ribbyhall.co.uk/membership or call 01772 682000

THE

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Mixing business with pleasure...

Presentations Bored of the boardroom? Book one of our luxury cinema screens for your big presentation.

Meetings

We have two large meeting rooms great for seminars, away days and training sessions.

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Garstang Road | Brock | Preston | PR3 0BT www.theflowerbowl.uk | fbevents@theflowerbowl.uk | 01995 676210

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GLORY TO THE SARACENS! Many congratulations to the Fylde Saracens squad who on the last day of their 2022-23 league campaign jumped to the top of the NOWIRUL Division 2 (North) league to become champions and win promotion. An unpromising start saw them lose heavily at Eccles as the Club struggled to recruit players for the two ‘social rugby’ teams. The Sarries, under the captaincy of Jay Harrison, sorted things out and they started winning … in fact they played another 17 matches and won them all! They scored 676 points and conceded 231, finishing level with Preston Grasshoppers 3rds but with a better win ratio.

Playing numbers increased during the season and the spirit and determination of the squad showed in spades. Great work lads!

33

LEAGUE TABLES 2022-23

Give your retirement �nances a boost

In this Centenary Year the Friends of Fylde are supporting the Centenary and General Committees in their programme of celebrations. Our main events are * A special Ladies Day Lunch – 28th March 2020 – a celebration to recognise the hard work the ladies committees of past years. Dress code this year is Ascot smart with hats or fascinators. * The Centenary Ball – 1st May 2020 – celebrating the end of the season with a fabulous menu from Campbell and Rowley, music and more! Dress Code – black tie and cocktail dresses Please contact Reception to book tables or tickets for each of these events – which are selling fast, with Ladies Day almost sold out! Look out for news of other smaller social occasions such as a Pizza Making Competition and Cinema Sing along Evening, to name but two. Thank you to each and every one of you who have bought a raffle ticket for the Fylde Match Day Raffle. A wheelbarrow full of goodies for all the family – though mainly Mum and Dad! This has been very popular over the last 5 years and remains a significant contribution to club funds. Regards Friends of Fylde

PLACKITT&BOOTHLITERARYLUNCHES @THEWOODLANDS

Key's specialist range of later life �nance products could help put you in control of your �nances.

Independent booksellers are a great asset to a town. This is exemplified by Lytham’s Plackitt & Booth, including their splendid Literary Luncheons. The Woodlands is the venue for six fine authors launching their new books in the next three months. Each luncheon includes pre-lunch drinks, a top quality Campbell & Rowley meal and a copy of each of the books. Our lifetime mortgages, for example, allow you to release tax-free cash from your home with no monthly repayments. Which means you can relax, knowing the bills are taken care of.

So why not see how we could help you enjoy the retirement you deserve by using our free online calculator to see how much you could release.

· 18th Mar - Joanna Trollope – “Mum & Dad” · 26th Mar - Matthew Hall – “The Black Art of Killing” · 30th April – Victoria Hislop – “Those Who Are Loved” Tickets are selling very quickly so book now: 01253 796958. www.plackittandbooth.co.uk, 87c Clifton St, Lytham FY8 5ER.

Visit: keycalculate.co.uk Call: 0800 331 7729

Equity release reduces your estate’s value & may a�ect your entitlement to means-tested bene�ts. Typically, the loan, plus compound interest, is repaid on death or entry into long-term care. Our equity release advice relates to Key-branded lifetime mortgages only – a loan secured against your home. Subject to criteria. £599 fee only payable on completion.

36

Equity Release | Mortgages | Wills & LPAs

1ST XV 2022-23 APPEARANCES & SCORERS (TO 4TH MARCH 2023) FYLDE 1st XV 2022-23

Total

Start

Sub

Tries

Points

Peter Altham

8

2

6

Matt Ashcroft

19

16

3

1

5

Zach Barrow

11

4

7

Patreece Bell

5

5

Corey Bowker

18

17

1

1

5

Tom Carleton

7

7

9

45

Harlan Corrie

18

15

3

Freddie Deeks

2

1

1

Jordan Dorrington

19

19

10

50

David Fairbrother

21

20

1

6

30

Tom Forster

6

1

5

Matt Garrod

16

11

5

1

5

Ben Gould

1

1

Ben Gregory

21

21

12

60

Tom Grimes

16

14

2

10

50

Toby Harrison

19

18

1

2

10

Joe Higgins

7

2

5

Henry Higginson

18

14

4

Adam Lanigan

17

15

2

8

40

Adam Lewis

10

1

9

1

5

Ben O'Ryan

6

1

5

1

5

Sam Parker

8

2

6

Olli Parkinson

18

16

2

4

20

Cole Potts

9

9

6

30

Scott Rawlings

20

7

13

2

10

Greg Smith

21

21

2

173

Sam Stott

19

16

3

7

35

Matt Sturgess

6

6

3

15

Ben Turner

13

10

3

7

35

Connor Wilkinson

21

21

11

55

Tristan Woodman

9

7

2

4

20

Penalty tries Total

108

703

37

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