Sedgley Park RUFC
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Sedgley plot an exciting future
HAVING secured their National Division One (ND1) status with the defeat of Rotherham Titans, they're already looking to next season at Sedgley Park.
The club has redefined a number of management roles, with John Smith elected president and former incumbent Geoff Roberts concentrating on the affairs of the first team's Tigers'.
"We have to face reality, we've not got the biggest budget in the world - and we'll be trimming it even more - so just staying in ND1 has been a success," Roberts said.
"It's put everyone in a good frame of mind for next season when we're going to approach things differently. It's clear the RFU want to chuck clubs like ours out, with their plans to cut ND1 from 16 to 12 fully professional clubs. Well, we refuse to be driven down that route.
"So instead of trying to accumulate enough points just to stay up - and being forced to play unattractive rugby in the process - we're going to go out and play attacking, attractive rugby.
"We want our players to enjoy playing, so we're going to do away with the restrictions placed on them in the past and adopt a more cavalier approach. Hopefully they will appreciate it and so will the fans."
Having already seen current top try scorers Chris Briers and Jon Skurr sign for the Titans, the Tigers are busy assembling as strong a squad as possible for when hostilities renew.
"We need to keep as much of the backbone of the side as possible and have agreed terms with top points scorer Phil Jones and hooker Jonny Roddam," added Roberts.
"Talks are also progressing with the likes of Phil Gazzola, Glen Townson, Adam Newton, Chris Leck, Chris Hall and Andy Craig. In particular we're looking to strengthen the back row, centres and wings.
"We are looking at new signings, although current regulations rule out virtually all foreign players unless they have British passports.
"We're also discussing with Rich Senior the possibility of introducing second team players as and when he thinks they are up to it; they'll get their chance when they are ready."
Meanwhile, four Tigers have been selected to play for Lancashire against Warwickshire at Preston Grasshoppers on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) in the first of this season's Rugby Union County Championship qualifying games. Matt Riley, Chris Briers, Petrus De Plessis and Juan Crous have all been named in the starting 15.
11:24am Thursday 1st May 2008
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