Cinderford RFC are pleased to announce their new coaching set-up for next season’s 2019-20 campaign. This follows the departures of Head Coach Adam Balding to fellow National One rivals Birmingham Moseley RFC and Cinderford United Manager, Richard Planchant, to Chosen Hill RFC.
Current Cinderford Attack Coach, Clive Stuart-Smith will progress into the role of Head Coach. Stuart-Smith will deliver Cinderford’s coaching programme and strategy throughout the senior squad, whilst continuing to lead Cinderford’s attacking play. Paul Morris, Cinderford RFC Director of Rugby commented, “Clive came to the club in the summer of 2013 and has been an influential figure ever since. He became Attack Coach in 2015 and was instrumental in our successful season 2017-18 that saw us crowned National Two South Champions, with a record 143 points. This included 161 tries scored in 30 games. Clive is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, committed and provides a seamless transition. He is well-equipped to take on the Head Coach role and I have no doubt that he will continue to progress Cinderford RFC forward in National One next season.”
Andrew Stanley, Director of Rugby at Dean Close School in Cheltenham, will become Cinderford RFC Forwards and Defence Coach. Stanley was previously Coaching Consultant for the club working alongside Stuart-Smith and Balding for the past three and a half seasons. Paul Morris said, “Stan is hugely popular with the players at Cinderford RFC. He has the depth of knowledge and coaching credentials that earns him the respect of everyone. He, like Clive, has been a major reason for our success during the last few seasons. I am delighted we have been able to secure his services again. His settled coaching relationship with Clive, again provides a smooth transition and the players will benefit accordingly.”
Former Cinderford RFC player, second row, Ed King, rejoins the club as a Forwards Coach. King retired at the end of the 2016-17 season after playing nearly 150 first team games for the club. For the past two seasons King has been coaching Stroud RFC in Western Counties North. Morris said, “Cinderford are happy to provide Ed with the chance to fulfil the role of Forwards Coach for the senior squad. He will work closely with Stan to provide excellent coaching standards for our forwards in the senior squad. He will primarily focus on the lineout and will progress to a wider role as he settles. Ed is excited by the role and opportunity and I have no doubt that he is going to be a success. It is really good to have him back at the club and I believe he is the perfect the fit for our senior squad.”
The new Cinderford United coaching team will comprise of two Player Coaches. Current fly-half / scrum-half Danny Pointon will become Lead Coach, joined by former player, Marcus Brown, as Forwards Coach. Brown left Cinderford RFC in January 2018 to join Birmingham Solihull RFC and spent last season playing in National Two South. Morris said, “They are excellent appointments for Cinderford United, who compete in the tough Zoo League Division One. Replacing Richard Planchant is a tough act to follow but as a duo, Danny and Marcus cover all bases. They will also be responsible for coaching specific sectors within the full senior squad. As players, they have much to offer and there is no barrier to them playing first team rugby. We have an excellent partnership with St Peter’s RC High School, Gloucester, where we use their AGP for training. Both Danny and Marcus are ex-pupils of the school, Danny being captain when the school lifted the Under 18s Daily Mail Schools Cup at Twickenham in 2006. Marcus is currently a teacher at the school.”
Ed King, Danny Pointon and Marcus Brown have nearly 400 1st XV games, for Cinderford RFC, between them over the past decade.