Future so bright for Fylde RFC says departing coach Warren Spragg

The Woodlands club announced on Sunday that Spragg, 38, was leaving his post as head coach, with his assistants Alex Loney and Chris Briers taking the helm as joint team bosses.

Spragg is to become full-time kicking coach for the Premiership squad at Sale Sharks and told The Gazette he had relished his role at Fylde over the past three and a half years.

He said: “I put my heart and soul into that team to get the right people there and make sure they enjoyed being at the club.

“To walk away from something you love is a very odd feeling but it was a decision I had to make.

“The role at Sale is one I’ve been doing since the start of the season but I’m making it permanent now. I’m working with world-class players and am fulfilling an ambition but it’s still part of the same journey.

“I would like to thank (Fylde chairman of rugby) Dave Young for giving me the confidence that the club was always behind me. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have led such an amazing group of players.”

An accomplished goalkicker himself as a player, Spragg said of his new role: “I’ll be working with the goalkickers but on all other aspects of kicking as well. I’ll work one-one one with the scrum-halves and other players on restarts and tactical kicking.

“It’s something I didn’t focus on so much at Fylde because kicking in open play is not part of the club’s DNA.”

As to passing the Fylde baton to his right-hand men Briers and Loney, Spragg said: “It’s the best combination moving forward. I have known Lono and Chris since we were 13 or 14.

“They have done a lot of coaching at county level and have worked really well as a duo.

“I think it is good for the club in these uncertain times to have two guys to share the workload because it will be a busy 18 months.”

The pandemic has left Fylde without a game for over 10 months and the future remains uncertain, but Spragg is convinced the club can look forward with optimism.

“We had a really good Zoom conversation with the squad and staff to tell them about the club’s plans.

“It was also to reassure them about the club’s future, that Briersy and Lono will take the club forward and that everyone is completed committed to keeping the team as competitive as possible.

“To hear that the club is backing them is a real positive for the players and I’m sure the club has a very bright future.”

“I am looking forward to coming back as a fan as soon as Saturdays become match days again!”

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