Fylde RFC joint boss believes their new set-up will work well

Following Warren Spragg’s move to Sale Sharks, Briers and Loney are to share the lead role at the Woodlands, where both served as Spragg’s assistants and as players for the past decade.

Versatile back Briers has topped 400 National League appearances, more than half of those for Fylde, scoring 63 tries for the Woodlands club, and like Loney, he is delighted to step into the top job.

Both 37-year-olds are well versed in the Fylde philosophy ... but don’t expect them to agree on everything.

Briers told The Gazette: “We’ve both been here a long time and consider it to be our club. We’ve built up strong relationships here over 10 years.

“Mike Brennand (chairman) was here when I started and I’ve worked with Dave Young (director of rugby) for the last few years. It’s good to know they believe this is the right way forward and we do too, so the continuity is good for the club.

“I think this is good for everyone. Spraggy has his chance to move on and move up, and has left the club in a good position. He started to build something here and hopefully we can take it on to the next level.

“The timing is ideal in that Alex and I are finishing our playing careers just as Warren is moving on. We’ve known each other for many years and we’ll specialise in our own areas (hooker Loney focusing on the forwards).

“We don’t always see eye to eye and we do have different ideas, but neither is so stubborn that we won’t come to an agreement.”

While Loney told The Gazette he is resigned to hanging up his boots, Briers wouldn’t mind a few more run-outs.

The Myerscough College sports lecturer added: “If we do get any games this season I’d like to play, then by keeping in condition I’ll always be available to play if necessary next season, if there’s a shortage. But we are pretty solid in the backs and have decent strengths in certain positions.”

Like everyone at the club, Briers hopes some rugby will be possible this season, if only to ease pressures ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

He explained: “I can’t see us playing any competitive fixtures as such this season but it would be great if we could get some local friendlies played. I wouldn’t like to start next season having had no rugby for 18 months.

“That could put more pressure on pre-season and risk injuries if we had more warm-up games.

“If we can get a few games played in the spring, then everyone would remember how to play and we could have a normal pre-season.

“It would also be good to get crowds in for some local games before next season and bring some revenue in for the club.”

Briers accepts that next season may have to be played under hybrid rules, reducing close contact at set-pieces.

“We’re unsure if we will be playing an adapted game in September,” he said. “It could be that next season is played under different rules and we go back to normal rugby the following year.

“In an ideal world, we’d be back to normal this September but everyone just wants to play some form of rugby.

“So if hybrid rules are the only way, we’ll suck it up, get out there and do our best.”

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