Gnosall R.U.F.C have finished this years campaign with another title under their belts...
Last years season saw the Herons victors of the Staffs merit 2 league and the pressure was on this year to continue with their league success in Merit 1.
The Herons backroom staff worked tirelessly gaining sponsorships from local businesses and supporters,seeing them turn out in a new 1st team kit with Giles Skips of Daralston and Hawk Plant of Prees adding their support,Also Local estate agent James De Pavey came on board with another helpful sponsorship.
With added pressure to continue their league success Head Coach Glen Carpenter was joined by Peter Bell the new Director of Rugby,Between them they set out to repeat last years triumphs..
The Herons senior squad trained relentlessly over the summer months seeing new players and colts come on board to bolster the squad,These players have been instrumental to the success of the team this year,Seeing the Herons not lose a game until the cold dark month of December,A visit to a bleak wintry pitch in Leek midway through the month saw the Herons finally lose that record,However a new year,saw the Herons bounce straight back into winning ways.

Gnosall colts have now completed a full season of friendlies throughout Staffordshire and are entering the Staffs colts league next year when they collaborate with Rugeley colts to form the Staffordshire Barbarians,Im sure that both the Rugeley and Gnosall coaches will be watching with interest as to bolster their senior squads for the forthcoming seasons.

Gnosall R.U.F.C worked hard throughout this season raising money for the Gnosall 1st Responders, seeing the world famous wheel barrow race re-introduced into the village,A medieval type of affair seeing warrior like figures pushed around a village in shiny barrows!!!!
The Herons also promoted their 1st Naked Calendar with incredible success,Seeing wannabe models tastefully captured in a somewhat provocative yet innocent light!

With the loss of some key players the Herons continued with their quest seeing them going to games such as Featherstone Prison for the third time without a win,Captain Ian Stokes guided his troops to a famous victory with the boot of Jack Leah causing mayhem for the inmates,A wonderful wonderful victory.
Another key game was the "Game of the season"at Whittington
The Herons travelled east with 14 men,Facing a mighty uphill challenge they rallied through and played their hearts out,Down to 13 men at one stage, they never gave up and with incredible courage,turned around the game to their favour,An injury time conversion seeing the boys from Gnosall take all points on offer.

Fabulous local support throughout the season has been instrumental to the boys success,Seeing supporters follow them around Staffordshire and Shropshire from the start right through to the end of the season, with a coach full of supporters following the boys to Bridgnorth for their last game of the season,A truly fabulous day out for both player and spectator!!!

This years League challenge finally came to a head when the Herons welcomed back Leek to Gloverfields,With revenge firmly in all Herons eyes,They set out to not only win the game but seal the league title too.
This was done in wonderful style with a large crowd cheering on the home side as per usual.
The players, the Wives,The Parents,Friends and backroom staff have all played a huge huge part of this seasons triumphs,And Gnosall R.U.F.C wish to thank them all and indeed players and staff who have worked extremely hard this season.
As the end of season came upon us the usual bonkers tour was arranged, Plymouth being the hosts this year. A close fought game saw the southerners take the victory however all touring Gnosall members returned home so not all was lost!!!
On Saturday 20th May we saw the annual end of season dinner,where award after award was presented to those who have gone above and beyond for the club,with Captain Ian Stokes handing over his beloved arm band to the 2017/18 captain elect Jack Leah.