Old Brodleians RUFC

First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have supported me over the last 16 years coaching at the Brods. All through the juniors and the last five years with the seniors, there have been a few people who have helped me along the way, too many to name here, but you know who you are and I thank you very much for all your commitment. I would like to say a big thank you to all the players who I have had the pleasure of coaching, not always getting it right I know, but generally, I have felt, I have had the backing from most of you. I am very proud to see so many of you grow up from under 7s to become outstanding senior players, some still at the Brods and some who have gone on to play at a higher level, even professional and international level.

It is with great sadness I will not be coaching next season, Clive and I committed to another year as we wanted the opportunity to put a few things right from the disappointing end to last season. We had identified our weaknesses and I put my suggestions to the club. We had been working hard, planning and talking to players for the coming season.

However Clive and I want you all to know that it was not our decision to step aside, and I don’t want anyone to think that I have abandoned my role because of what happened last season. We were not involved at any stage in the process of finding another coach, in fact we didn’t even know negotiations were going on. We were fully committed to getting this club back to where we think it belongs and we were excited at the challenge.

I was conscious that I had coached the seniors for 5 years and I did say to Bruce that, if the right person! came along and it was what the club and players wanted I would be more than happy to support that decision. My suggestion was a player or two, possibly a player coach, and I still think that is what the club needs. I think the process of replacing the coaches could have been handled better, and I think the club needs to address that for future decisions that affect its players. However Bruce has taken responsibility and made a decision that he feels is for the good of the club going forward and we now have to support him in that.

I will still be up there as always, probably spouting crap from the stand, but I will be giving the players my unreserved support, so good luck lads with it all next season, and thank you for a brilliant time.

Ian