2023 / 24 season

Hi everyone, it’s been such a long time since I’ve sat at the kitchen table to write one of these. To be honest its usually at 4am on a Sunday morning after a game, but today its 7am on a Sunday morning, my neck, shoulders, knees and my back all ache, coming downstairs took a big effort. Why? Yesterday I decided to join in a Blaze class at Davis Lloyd gym , Chorley with a few players. In the past I must have done this class 100 times no problem at all, but after a hip replacement 10 weeks ago and now waiting for a knee replacement, this probably wasn’t a good idea, was a good day though. Yesterday was the first step in creating a good relationship with the gym and the rugby club and they have already sponsored a player, Rob Gatefield who won the Blaze session.

Many changes have taken place since last season, both on and off the field.

Let’s make a start with on it.

Gwil Jones has led the team for many seasons. Due to many commitments, he has decided its time to step aside and let someone else lead the team. Gwil has been great for the two seasons I’ve been at the club, he has always supported me and is a genuine nice man, a pleasure to know and thankfully, he’s still playing. The man taking over is Chris Highton, not only is Chris well respected by everyone at the club, but he also gets the same respect wherever we play. At every club someone will know him. His performances last season were inspiring, none more so than Eccles away, he constantly harassed his opposite number and pressured him into bad decisions, he constantly made breaks and put in some huge hits (this is something he did all season), his two tries were typical of him, clever, skilful and full of cheek and experience.

As usual, like most sports clubs, recruitment is important. Like last season, I think we have done really well. Mick Richardson and Simon Frost are back at the club, as is Hamish Rendall. Kieran Blades and Dom Roberts are new to the club and both have already made an impact with both having a great attitude and are definitely going to play a big part in this season. We have two rugby league players who have just joined as well, Tom and Dom, both powerful and can both definitely play. We have also said goodbye to Kev Rothwell, Kev has been great in the two seasons I’ve been here, always ready with advice and again a genuine nice fella who will be missed in the changing room and definitely on the pitch.

Numbers at training have been great, which means not only have we been able to do fitness, but also lots of game related drills and work really hard on our game plan. This Saturday it all starts when we travel to Ormskirk in the cup. Whatever happens this season we know it will be enjoyable, frustrating, exciting, demoralising and every other feeling you can have with sport, but… we wouldn’t have it any other way. What I do know is, the lads have worked really hard and put everything into every session.

Off the field we have seen a new chairman in Ellery Hodson, Suzy Crane as treasurer, Bev Hodson and Dan Tordoff as social secretary. Weve done well with player sponsorships, match day and match ball sponsorships. The main change is where we are going to be based. Brookfield’s has been the club’s home for many years, I was lucky enough to play there for two seasons and many people have great memories of playing there. When the club returned to Brookfield’s, we were all really excited for the future of the club, unfortunately somethings and some people are not always as they seem. I won’t go into the politics too much but I will say this. The negativity towards us was poisoning the rugby club, many of us would have left if we had stayed, me included.

Now though the atmosphere is the complete opposite. We have moved to Chorley Panthers Rugby League club and we have been made so welcome by everyone at Chisnall Fields. We play our first season in the RFU leagues and we are all so excited about the coming season, everyone feels refreshed now we’ve moved and are all looking forward to making the club as successful as possible both on the field and off it.

A little message to our ex-players. Please try and make it down to watch the lads, it was great to see a lot of you at games last season and the support was great. We don’t want to lose that connection with the clubs history, its more important than ever now.

Thank you everyone!

Craney