Fascinating future for Fylde RFC with new coaching teams says chairman

When the Woodlands club announced the departure of team boss Warren Spragg on Sunday, his two deputies were immediately promoted to share the top job.

And while the chairman is saddened by the departure of Spragg, who is to become full-time kicking coach at Premiership club Sale Sharks, he is convinced Briers and Loney will complement each other perfectly.

Brennand told The Gazette: “I’m delighted that Alex and Chris are here and ready to go. It means we have a natural continuity.

“It’s a fascinating challenge with two head coaches. We’ve challenged the thought processes and I’m convinced it is the right thing to do.”

But Brennand was quick to pay tribute to Spragg’s achievements over three-and-a-half years in the job.

He added: “I want Fylde to be seen as a club that provides opportunities for aspirational players and coaches too. As a club like that, it’s inevitable you will lose people of quality and we accept that.

“We want to attract the right individuals to the club and Warren is the epitome of that. He has grown into the position and we are delighted for him. His new position is thoroughly deserved.

“It’s very sad to see him go but the two guys taking over will bring fresh enthusiasm and ideas, and we’re really looking forward to that.”

Briers and Loney share very similar rugby backgrounds and have been friends since first playing for Lancashire as 12-year-olds in the mid-1990s.

Both played professionally at Championship level, began their coaching careers at Fylde and hold full-time rugby development jobs, Loney at Lancaster Royal Grammar S chool and Briers at Myerscough College.

Brennand added: “Chris is an experienced backs coach and Alex is a forwards coach. They know each other well and have played together for a long time.

“They will learn from each other and I see the joint appointment as a benefit.

“They are both professional rugby coaches in their own right and we have been extremely lucky to have a succession which was relatively easy to secure.”

It remains uncertain when a Fylde team coached by Briers and Loney will take to the field: it is more than 10 months since Fylde last played due to the pandemic and hopes of starting a one-off competition for National League clubs next month are receding with the country in lockdown.

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