We are pleased to be able to announce our new head coach, Steve Woodburn. Steve will begin his tenure with the start of preseason, 1st July (18:45 @ Thornton YMCA, all welcome).

Steve says “I’m really looking forward to the challenge of working with Thornton Cleveleys RUFC and helping them to progress on and off the field. I know the club are moving in a new direction and I’m excited to be a part of that journey.

I come from a rugby league background growing up in Cumbria playing for Millom. At 18 I played for Wigan and Oldham academy teams before signing professional for Barrow. At the same time I played for England and Great Britain university teams. Captaining England in the 1999 World Cup.

My coaching has been varied having coached both rugby league and rugby Union.

I coached a number of league teams - Blackpool Scorpions, Blackpool Sea Eagles, Millom, England Students. I was also lucky enough to spend two seasons as head coach of England lionhearts, winning the four nations championship in 2006.

My last coaching role was 5 years in charge as head coach at Fleetwood Rugby Club before leaving them to concentrate on my day job as Assistant Headteacher at Fleetwood High School.”

Huge welcome to Steve, we are looking forward to working with him.