New chairman Mike Brennand hails devoted Fylde RFC family at time of uncertainty

He also stressed the value to the community of rugby clubs like Fylde at a time when the national media spotlight appears to be fixed on football clubs and their financial problems.

Brennand was elected to the role for the second time last week, having previously served as chairman for six years to 2012.

He then presided over a club which won promotion to National One. Brennand now takes charge at the Woodlands with no competitive rugby played for seven months and no prospect of any until January at the earliest.

But the devotion of the Fylde RFC family convinces him the club will pull through whatever the future holds.

Brennand told The Express: “When you look at our business model – based on rooms full of people eating and drinking, and spectators for rugby matches – then, yes, these are challenging times. But what’s fascinating is that we have a great group of volunteers putting their hands up and I’m confident about the future.

“I’m committed to the game, I understand the challenge and hopefully I can help and make a difference.

“Dave Young (his predecessor) has managed the club through some tough times and met all the challenges.

“Now it’s onward and upward. The club is stable but I’m keen to make sure all the members know that now is the time we need them.

“People have stepped up to the plate and are making a massive difference. We really have some unsung heroes here.”

But Brennand, who also serves on the executive of the National Clubs Association which runs the top tiers of the community game, wishes these dedicated local heroes weren’t so ‘unsung’.

He explained: “I do get frustrated that all you see in the press is about football clubs, what they need financially and what they bring to their communities. They are fully professional, whereas we are semi-professional, staffed with over 100 volunteers and are such a strong part of our community.

“Rugby clubs like ourselves don’t get the same publicity but we are important too.”

Like every Fylde supporter, Brennand is hoping a shortened National Two North season can get under way in the New Year, though when it does the rugby landscape will have changed.

He added: “We have lads training but it will be tough to get people on to the pitch.

“I’m hopeful for January but we have to be realistic and plan for every eventuality because it’s just not just about rugby – it’s also about the safety of spectators and visitors.

“We are used to not being able to move in the clubhouse on a matchday but we’ll no longer have that.”

What won’t change is the selfless dedication of the volunteers, who Brennand finds inspiring.

“We have a group called the Friday Club from all sorts of backgrounds – doctors, surveyors and people with trade skills – who meet each Friday to complete a variety of jobs for the maintenance and upkeep of the club,” he said. “The commitment of people never ceases to amaze me.”