MD’s Christmas Message

A warm welcome to you all.

Since we last had a meal, I think it is fair to say we have had a mixed bag of performances and results. Last week was a much needed return to form and positive improvement in performance; a massive well done to those involved. We showed a maturity and game control that had been lacking for a number of weeks and I head into this week’s game with a renewed positivity and optimism.

We currently sit 4th in the league and are well poised for a strong second half to the season and hopefully a push to challenge the top spots.

Training numbers have remained largely positive and I am very happy with the work the coaches are putting in to further embed our ethos and game plan.

I would like to welcome our visitors from “over the way”, after a tough start to the season with a few cancellations, they have rallied. Credit must go to true rugby people like Steve Duffus, Lewis Glover and Adam Ord (the latter two both well known to Belgrave RFC) who have led Birstall through a very challenging period.

The Christmas meal is always a brilliant occasion; a gathering of families, sponsors, supporters and VPs, all united in support of this great club. Thanks to all involved in the organisation of what, I’m sure will be, a hugely successful day.

As is tradition, the players, coaches and management would like to extend an invite to all supporters to join us in the changing room post match for a Christmas tipple and a sing along.

I would like to offer a warm welcome back to Mark and Alison Crumbie, the intrepid travellers, after their latest adventure to India and also a big welcome back to club legend Roland Packwood after a period of illness, I was delighted to see Roland’s name on the table plan on Thursday evening.

A few thank-yous to finish up;

Thanks to Ellie Taylor and Tracy Kyle for organising the WAGs table, it is one of the major strengths of this club that the atmosphere is always so welcoming.

A special mention at this time of the year must go to our ground staff, in particular Cliff Hawkins and Don Weston. Our pitches are the envy of many clubs in the county and it cannot go amiss the amount of work these chaps put in to ensure that we have somewhere to play/ train every week, in spite of the great British weather.

Finally, I hope Pat Kyle, Jo Mitchell, Tracy Kyle and Darran Garner have a well-deserved rest today. All will be sitting down for lunch and enjoying the festivities rather than grafting away in their usual roles in the kitchen/ behind the bar. Thanks for everything you do for us.

Wishing you and all of your nearest and dearest a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mark Deaville - Head Coach