Oceans 11 - this weeks chat

You should have all received your club newsletter, for those that haven’t or have misplaced it or have chosen not to read it before using it to start a fire I have published it on the forum, away from prying eyes.
The great B.P. paint off takes place this week-end, arm yourself with a brush and get down and get dirty.
Roger Gosling was sworn in to the Operations group this week. Roger is well known to older members as former Chair, Prez etc. etc. and to younger members as the bloke who told you to keep off the seats. He brings a wealth of experience, organisation and panache to the group, (he also brings an insight into the workings of the management bodies with an unseemly haste to bare his chest during the swearing in ceremony). Welcome aboard Roger.

Hull Ionians announce two further signings

Hull Ionians today announced the signing of two further signings, 2nd row forwards, Miles Cooling at 6’ 5’’ and weighing 18.5st will certainly add additional competition for a second row spot as will Matty Adams who has signed from local side Beverley RUFC, Matty, after a couple of successful seasons with close neighbours Beverley, has decided to see if he can make the step up into National 1.
Director of Rugby Sean Carty commented how all the senior squad were now chomping at the bit to show their worth in National 1. The addition of these signings prove Hull Ionians intentions for the coming season, we are very happy to have two players of this calibre to add further strength in depth to what is already a strong Hull Ionians squad, who have prepared really well during the pre-season and they are now desperate for the first game to commence.

Below is a list of the Hull Ionians Rugby Management, Squad and Positions for the 2013/2014 Season.

Director of Rugby - Sean Carty

Assistant DoR - Steve Townend

Rugby Manager - Graham Simm

Head Coach – Gary Pearce

Forwards Coach – Terry Garnett
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Ian Frazer
2nd XV Coach – Darron McIntyre
2nd XV Coach & Skills Coach – Lee Denham
Academy Director – Paul Cook
Academy Manager – Roger Wigham

Medical Support
Head Physiotherapist – Jo Lobb
1st Team Physio – Liam Portz
2nd Team Physio – Imogen Fryer
Club Medical Officers - Dr. John Caplin & Dr. Robert Ferguson

Fullback
Mike Bateman - Retained
Keane Naylor - Signed – Academy Player
Wingers
Sam Wilson - Retained
Gary Stevenson - Retained
Will Heylings - Retained
Danny Smith - Signed – Driffield RUFC
Jon Steel - Retained
Centre
Richard Fletcher - Retained
Joey Martin - Retained
Luke Thundercliffe - Returned from NZ
Sam Forbes - Signed – 3rd tier FRU
Steve Slingsby - Signed – Hull RUFC (Also Wing)
Fly Half
Chris Reakes - Retained (Also Centre)
James Ferguson - Retained
Karl Birch - Signed – York RUFC (Also Fullback)
Scrum Half
Adam Thomas - Retained
Isaac Green - Retained
Callum Cone - Signed – Academy Player
Prop Forwards
Steve Johnson - Retained
Dave Laverick - Retained
Albert Thundercliffe -Retained
Adi Longbone - Signed – Hull RUFC
Tom Margetson - Signed – Leeds Met
Ben Davis-Rice - Signed – Hull RUFC
Steve Quigley - Retained
Hooker
Tom Rice - Retained
Ally Forth - Retained
Ally Thompson - Signed – Doncaster Knights
Second Row
Joe Makin - Retained
Rob Kench - Retained
Henry Forbes - Signed – DMP RUFC (Also Back Row)
Miles Cooling - Retained
Tom Schofield - Signed – DMP RUFC
Matty Adams - Signed – Beverley RUFC
Back Row
Joe Saunders - Retained (Also second row)
Alex Torkington - Retained
Mark Wigham - Retained
Danny Hague - Retained
Alex Campbell - Signed – Hull RUFC (Also second row)
James Tyson - Signed – Leeds RUFC
Scott Jackson - Retained

This week we look at another London outfit :-

Richmond
From a purely selfish point of view it is a pity that the Richmond in question is in London and not North Yorkshire. Richmond has a glorious history which includes participating in the first ever club fixture, against Blackheath, in 1864 and being one of eight clubs that formed the Rugby Football Union in 1871. Amongst other notable achievements it was one of the first clubs to embrace professionalism.
Unfortunately it went tits up fairly quickly and they went into administration before re-entering the league structure and pursued a more Corinthian spirit. During this period they completed a run of 83 matches undefeated.
The stated aim of the club is to “succeed at the heart of the National leagues where the Club has traditionally played. However this is to be achieved hand-in-hand with the desire to continue as one of the leading community clubs in the land offering good well coached rugby to all ages and both sexes.”
Richmond share their facilities with London Scottish and, as with most London clubs, have a long list of internationals as former players, many from the ill fated period when Ashley Levitt owned the club. They include Ben Clarke, the first £1 million man.
Although the players are now part time professionals I note that a good number of them are “something in the city”, which is nice. It beats being a Yorkshire sheep farmers assistant.
The away fixture is in January so there is an opportunity for the better half to take in the sales, if she/he (no prejudice or discrimination here) is prepared to take a hammock on the good ship Cantona. The canals are out due to the chance of frozen locks.

Updated 23:05 - 5 Sep 2019 by Malcolm Knowles