Fylde RFC coach looks forward to 'exciting' league ... whenever it starts

Fylde in action against Hull Ionians two seasons ago - the clubs are due to renew acquaintances in 2020/21

Most clubs still had five games to play when the 2019/20 season was ended by coronavirus, though final tables were produced based on predicted results and clubs were promoted and relegated in their usual numbers.

National Two North champions Caldy have been promoted, while Otley, Preston Grasshoppers and Scunthorpe were all relegated.

Midlands club Hinckley, who finished third, have switched to Two South for next season.

Fylde finished second but were denied the chance of promotion via a play-off.

They accepted the ruling with good grace and Spragg was pleased to see the relegated clubs do likewise.

He told The Gazette: “The decisions have been taken in the right spirit in all the National Leagues. Teams who have been relegated, like Preston Grasshoppers, could have argued and caused a fuss but they have been humble and took it on the chin.

“All those clubs will have gained a lot of respect out of this. The league for next season is what we expected. Potentially it could have been Stourbridge who moved into Two South but I expected it to be Hinckley.”

The physical contact involved in rugby has raised concerns it could be among the last sports to resume as the pandemic eases.

The RFU was already considering a structural revamp for 2021/22, possibly adding to the two regional leagues at National Two level while reducing the number of clubs in each from 16 to 14.

Spragg can only hope the coming campaign goes ahead as planned. He added: “We always enjoy playing Hull Ionians and we will have four great new teams at our level.

“I’m looking forward to going up to Rotherham, who have an incredible history and will have really good support, while Blaydon have a 3G pitch which suits our style of play.

“Harrogate will be a new experience for us. I know their director of rugby David Docherty well and we welcome the challenge of playing them.”

Fylde RFC have been saddened by the death of long-serving prop Terry Horrocks, who packed down with Sir Bill Beaumont at the Woodlands.

Horrocks, a popular and regular attendee at player reunions, worked as a butcher in Rawtenstall and is said to have brought black puddings and sausages for his team-mates to enjoy after training.

Sir Bill said: “I’m very upset to hear of Terry’s death. He was a loyal Fylde player, a very good prop forward and a keen golfer and member at Royal Lytham.

“More importantly, he was a thoroughly nice and decent man.”