Banbury’s Matt Goode will be very busy this new season as he combines his Club Youth Development Officer role with a new job as Head Coach. As Backs Coach and player last season, Matt played an important part in the Bulls retaining the Oxfordshire Cup, as well as finishing 6th in the South West 1 (East) League in a promotion year.

Matt will be ably supported by a Management and Coaching team that includes both old and new faces. Head Coach for the last six years, James Kerr now takes on a coaching role alongside new Forwards Player/Coach signing Joe Winpenny. Last season’s Club Captain Ian Isham will serve another term, and on the administrative side Club stalwart Ray Shaw is now the 1st XV Manager. Mark Kirwin remains as the Lions 2nd XV Coach and Nik Roddis also continues as the senior player’s Physio.

Speaking about his appointment and the season ahead, Matt said:

“Having started my rugby career at Banbury aged 6 in 1990, I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to lead the Club’s coaching structure for the 2017-18 season.

“Firstly I would like to thank James Kerr - JK - for the hard work he has put into the Club for the last 6 seasons as Head Coach. If it wasn’t for the dedication, selflessness and hard work of JK, Ian Heywood and former skipper Ed Phillips over the years, then the team would not be where it is today. I am also delighted that JK is staying on in the 2017-18 coaching team and know that he will thrive in his new role.

“Following on from two very successful seasons is a hard act to follow, but one that we are all looking forward to. The Club’s ambition and focus is of the same thinking as mine, and I am very excited to be working alongside all our coaches - not only at senior level but also with our Minis and Juniors.

“One key focus will be looking at our young players coming through and then pushing them on to senior rugby. Banbury Rugby Club have been very successful with this in recent years and many Academy Colts have successfully transitioned to the senior sides.

“Pre-season started with a bang with many new faces who want to be part of this amazing Club. We have our first friendly away to Leighton Buzzard on Saturday 12th August, then we host Old Northamptonians on Thursday 17th and Bugbrook on Thursday 24th. You can be very sure we’ll be ready for the first league fixture on Saturday 2nd September, at home against our good friends from Witney.”

Matt introduces some of the new or returning faces in Banbury’s senior mens squad for 2017/18:

Joe Winpenny – Joe is a loose head prop and joins as Forwards Coach. His playing pedigree is excellent and includes captaining Chinnor RFC to promotion from National 3 South West to National 2 South, and also spending a season at Amersham & Chiltern. Currently working towards a Level 3 qualification Joe is a very talented and technical coach, something Banbury needs if it is to progress and to continue developing younger players.

Tommy Gray – Tommy is an exciting back-three player who played previously for Banbury Rugby Club at Junior and Colt levels. Moving back to the area he wouldn’t think of playing anywhere else! Also, having played in National 3 South East for the last couple of seasons, and for Chinnor in National 2 South before that, Tommy brings valuable higher level experience.

Pete Bolton - Pete is a 6ft 4in tight head prop, most recently playing for Oxford Harlequins where he was berthed for 12 seasons. Pete has made a very tough decision to leave, but he has seen the way Banbury Rugby Club is run and can’t wait to be a part of it! Pete will be a great asset to the Club both on and off the pitch and winning the Players Player award at Quins last season shows he’s a very likeable character.

George Grieve – George is another fine product of Banbury’s Youth Section who, in his first Bulls season, helped win the 2015/16 League and Cup titles. A promising 19-year-old back-three player, George was signed to Birmingham & Moseley in National 1 last season gaining valuable higher level experience. All being well, George will be off to Australia after Christmas to play for a Shute Shield side in New South Wales.

Rory Gratwohl – Rory is a strong ball-carrying number eight who has extensive knowledge of our league having played for Grove for a number of years. Rory lives and works in Banbury and, like Pete Bolton, has made a tough decision in leaving a club he was with for a while. However, I think it is a good decision made for the right reasons and I can’t wait to see Rory play in our systems. He’s a great player on the pitch and will strive and flourish at Banbury Rugby Club.