Blackpool vs Chorley Match Programme

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BLACKPOOL vs CHORLEY

Counties Division 4 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire

16th September 2023

Who are Blackpool RUFC?

Blackpool RUFC has been playing rugby on the Fylde Coast for more than 60 years now and based on Fleetwood Road, slap bang in the middle of Bispham and Cleveleys. The club has been operating as a one-team club in recent seasons but will this season run two sides for the first time since 2008.

History of the Club

Founded in 1959 of the back of the vision of well-respected Manchester & District Referee Society member Jack McCann, Blackpool is about to enter its 64th season as an active rugby club.

The club was developed off the back of the St Joseph s College Old Boys Association and although way back then the idea took time to get off the ground, the club has since flourished, specifically in the mid to late 1990s when the club achieved back to back promotions in four consecutive seasons and were crowned the Town Team of the Year in 2000.

The club remained strong until  difficulties forced the club to drop down from three teams to one. The loss of players to other local clubs also saw the team drop out of the traditional RFU first team leagues and spend nearly 10 seasons in the NOWIRUL set up as the sought to rebuild.

2017/18 Onwards

A changing of the guard in 2017 saw former player and club stalwart Sean O Brien take the reigns of chairman with the club statistically the bottom club in North West Rugby. Since then, an influx of new players has seen a huge revival at the club.

Such has been the progress, the club re-entered the RFU leagues last season and will move into the 2023/24 with two teams for the first time since 2008.

Meet the Chairman Greg Jones

For the 2023/24 season we welcome a new chairman at the helm of the club in the form of former club captain, coach and all round club stalwart Greg Jones. Here is Greg s mission statement for the forthcoming season.

As the newly appointed chairman of Blackpool RUFC, I am both honored and excited to embark on this journey with a club that holds a special place in my heart. My history with this club spans several decades, and I am deeply committed to preserving its rich traditions while guiding it towards a future filled with promise and growth.

I made my debut in the 1st XV during the 1997 season, a moment that marked the beginning of a long and cherished relationship with Blackpool RUFC. Serving as the Club Captain in 2001 was a tremendous privilege, and I have had the privilege of contributing in various committee positions over the years. During the recent rebuilding phase, I even had the opportunity to step up and facilitate training sessions when the club lacked a recognised coach. These experiences have instilled in me a profound appreciation for the club s values and the importance of community within our rugby family.

As I take the reins of the club as chairman, I am thrilled to be doing so at such an exciting juncture in our history. Our commitment to preserving the unique family culture that defines Blackpool RUFC remains unwavering, and we are taking significant strides towards the realization of our vision. One notable achievement is the revival of our 2nd XV, an endeavour that has been 14 years in the making. This milestone demonstrates our commitment to providing opportunities for players of all levels and expanding our presence within the local rugby community. On the field, we have set our sights on ambitious goals. The promotion of our 1st XV is indeed within reach, thanks to the influx of talented players and a dedicated coaching team. Our preseason recruitment efforts have been impressive, and we will continue to strengthen the club by adding depth and skill to our roster. Additionally, we are determined to ensure that our 2nd XV consolidates their position in their league, fostering growth and development at all levels.

Financial growth is paramount to our sustainability and success. We have set a target to increase our club s revenue by 15% through strategic sponsorships, engaging fundraisers, and a more efficient collection of membership fees. We understand the importance of responsible financial management, especially as we await the completion of our new build. While this project is still on the horizon, we are committed to improving our existing club facilities. Our aim is to create an even more welcoming and vibrant environment for our members and supporters, all while being mindful of not squandering valuable funds. As I look ahead to the start of what is arguably the most significant season in recent memory for Blackpool RUFC, I am filled with excitement and optimism. Our collective dedication, passion, and hard work will undoubtedly propel us to new heights. Together, we will honour our history, embrace the present, and build a future that the entire Blackpool RUFC family can be proud of.

New Sponsorship - New Kit

Blackpool RUFC are pleased to announce that thanks to our new sponsors we will be sporting a new look this season. The new kit has been ordered and will be with us in October so keep a look out for a special launch weekend. In the meantime, lets meet our sponsors for the 2023/24 season who helped make it happen.

Our main sponsor for the season will be Elite Competitions. Based in Blackpool, Elite were formed in 2015 with the motivation to give those who work hard the chance to change their lives. We hope to win big this season with their support and you can to.

UK Carline have been providing vehicle leasing and contract hire throughout the UK since 2001. They have also supported the club over the last 3 years and we are pleased that they will be continuing for another season

With a deep love for animals and years of experience, Diamond Pet Services provide the higherst quality pet sitting, dog walking, and grooming services. Your furry friends are in safe hands Diamond Pet Services

Make APM Development your go-to for bespoke joinery and building solutions. Witness your ideas turn into reality with skill and precision. Contact APM Development and create something special together.

Fylde Eco Technologies is a new business offering solar panels, inverters, battery units, EV chargers, heat pumps and many other systems. For eco tech solutions, choose Fylde Eco Technolgies

Norbreck Bathrooms situated in Cleveleys near Blackpool, is an established family run business with nearly 30 years in the trade. Looking for a new bathroom suite? Look no further than Norbreck Bathrooms.

My Electric Lease are committed to making it easier and more affordable for individuals and businesses to adopt electric vehicles. For flexible leasing options and competitive pricing choose My Electric Lease.

V i s i t t h e We b s i t e

Meet the Head Coach Dave Kirby

It is all change for the 2023/24 season as we welcome a new coach on board. Dave Kirby joined us last season as a player and made an immediate impact in the dressing room through his leadership so we are delighted to hand him the coaching reigns.

As the newly appointed chairman of Blackpool RUFC, I am both honored and excited to embark on this journey with a club that holds a special place in my heart. My history with this club spans several decades, and I am deeply committed to preserving its rich traditions while guiding it towards a future filled with promise and growth.

I actually began my coaching journey with Blackpool in January but what a journey it s been on and off the field so far. I was very blessed to have a great team to work with which is thanks to the previous coach Mark Stephenson who had done a great job. My first job was to contact all the players who had played recently for the club and try to get them down and committed. Numbers started increasing and we have manage to go from 6 people training to 15 at the end of the season.

Since preseason began, this has now grown 25/30 lads training on a weekly basis which is a tremendous achievement. I have always been a firm believer of caring more about the player and the club family than the rugby. The rugby will come when the family is formed. We ended the season with some strong performances and noticeable ones such as the big win against North Manchester and the close game in the cup against Bury from the league above. We were on a high at the end of the season and I didn t want us to lose it so I decided we would continue to train during the offseason. I also arranged matches too and this kept the lads together and built more of a great atmosphere.

We had some great games, with both wins and losses but we were building and moving forward. As a team we painted the clubhouse inside and out. We went on tour and we enjoyed some great matchday beers.The family feel has really developed over the past few months which has set us up nicely coming into the new season.

We officially started preseason in July and we have recruited well with the likes of Ben Mensah, Darren Howe, Stu Joyce, Adam Jacobs and the return of Wayne Daws to name just a few. I really believed things were great. However just recently we have kicked on further & in the last 2 months we have welcomed 14 new recruits as well as a few past players returning and we have managed to put a 2nd team out twice already this season.

Meet the coach cont .

The biggest positive change has been in the last few weeks with a good friend of mine from my days at Myerscough College, Steve O Connell, joining me as assistant & forwards coach . Steve hasn t played rugby for years but what he doesn t know about the game isn t worth knowing. He was an incredible player previously playing at Sale Academy, Preston and Lancashire. But most importantly for me he is an incredible guy. His input since being involved has been amazing on and off the pitch.

I have also recently welcomed Alex Maddern, Harry Gregory and Leon Mason onboard with mentoring and coaching players, all will have a huge impact on this club moving forward. With Chris Parlour as Director of Rugby overseeing everything I don t believe we can go wrong. We are in a great position now with 68 players currently available for games. We have an amazing committee. Amazing volunteers. Amazing players and an incredible group of coaches. We are confident we can achieve success this year on and off the pitch.

Coaches Notes

So there is your introduction to the new coach and an insight into his ethos and motivations for the new season. What we will be doing in future editions of our matchday programme is having a Coaches notes section where Dave will share his views on the previous fixture, how things have looked on the training ground during the week and his thoughts going into the next game. Here is what Dave had to say about today s game vs Chorley

There are no easy games this season. We don t take any team lightly. Chorley are a great team with a great coach in Graham Crane. We played them in a preseason friendly and they beat us. It was a tough game and they came out on top. From what I remember they have a strong pack, a nippy 9 and a wise 10 and 15.

They come to us on Saturday off the back of a really good win in the cup where they beat Ormskirk who are in the league above and although they were beaten 16-0 last weekend, it was a hard fought game against a strong Garstang team who will be one of the teams competing for promotion in the league above this season so we know we have our work cut out.

I know Graham has a well structured team who will defend for their lives. This is a tough task. This week we have focused on defending the maul which I know they like to use a lot so we are ready for it. All in all this will be a great game between two teams that I believe will be up there at the end of the season in the battle for promotion.

Scan the QR code to vist the justgiving page and donate today

Support Alderhey Hospital

Last night we shared Toby s story on our Facebook page. Nine year old Toby is the son of today s number 8 Wayne Daws who has been battling a rare condition called Digeorge syndrome since birth which has caused complications with his heart and a few other condition. Toby has been in Alderhey this week for the third open heart surgery of his young life. He truly is the bravest of the brave and to show our support we would like to raise some funds for the hospital that have done so much for him and his family.

How to donate

The club has set up a justgiving page for people to make online donations that will go directly to the hospitals fundraising account. The Blackpool players will also be donating their match subs today to the cause and there will be a charity football card raffle in the bar after the game. To donate today either scan the code above or click the button below

Meet the Captain Brady Barcock

Brady Barcock has stepped into the captain s role at Blackpool RUFC with a clear vision and determination for the upcoming season. With an unwavering commitment to elevating the team s performance, Barcock aims to lead Blackpool to new heights on the rugby field.

His vision for the team includes fostering a culture of unity, discipline, and relentless hard work. He aspires to see Blackpool not only compete at their best but also establish themselves as a dominant force in the league. Barcock s leadership qualities, both on and off the field, make him a promising captain and a role model for his teammates. Here is what he had to say about his new role

It is an absolute honour to captain the club having been here as a junior. Since I got back into rugby I have loved every minute of my time back at this club. There is something special about the place that draws you in and I am excited to see what the new season holds. We have worked extremely hard during preseason and recruited some fantastic new players as well and to be taking the reins at a time we are introducing a second team is a really great experience.

I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the outgoing captain, Chris Parlour, who served as the team s leader for the last six years. His dedication and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the team s identity and success during over the years. His unwavering commitment to Blackpool RUFC has left a lasting impact, and he really is a tough act to follow. That being said he has also laid down a great example and pathway for me and others to succeed and I am pleased he is continuing on this season as his experience is invaluable.

II would also like to thank Dave for putting his faith in me to lead this group of players. What Dave has been doing both on and off the field is truly inspiring. He is more than just a coach here at Blackpool. He is painting the clubhouse, putting the new posts up and taking the boys out for a curry when they need their spirits picking up. Again his way of leadership is a good example to me as I look to make my mark as a Blackpool RUFC captain.

As for the season ahead, I truly believe this team has loads of potential and we 100% can kick on from last season and mount a serious promotion challenge. It would be really great to bring back some silverware this season and I like the rest of the lads will be giving it my all to try and make that happen. Watch this space.

Meet Todays Squad

Joel Bygraves

Loosehead Prop

Player Sponsorship Available

Troy Johnstone Hooker

Player Sponsorship Available

Sam Philips

Tighthead Prop

Player Sponsorship Available

Mark Roper

Second Row

Player Sponsorship Available

Stuart Joyce

Second Row

Player Sponsorship Available

Tom Little

Openside Flanker

Player Sponsorship Available

Oliver Dodd

Blindside Flanker

Player Sponsorship Available

Wayne Daws Number 8

Player Sponsorship Available

Darren Howe

Scrum Half

Player Sponsorship Available

Meet Todays Squad

Ben Mensah

Fly Half

Player Sponsorship Available

Adam Jacobs

Winger

Player Sponsorship Available

Dave Kirby

Winger

Player Sponsorship Available

Nathan Fairchild

Inside Centre

Player Sponsorship Available

Brady Barcock

Outside Centre (Captain)

Player Sponsorship Available

Jack England

Full Back

Player Sponsorship Available

Chris Parlour

Front Row Replacement

Player Sponsorship Available

Chris Marsh

Halfback/Back Replacement

Player Sponsorship Available

Jamie Griffin

Forward Replacement

Player Sponsorship Available

How to Contact us about Sponsorship