Pooler and Gareth Lintern part company (From Free Press Series)

Pooler and Gareth Lintern part company

8:00am Wednesday 28th October 2009

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PONTYPOOL RFC is looking for a new head coach after parting company with Gareth Lintern yesterday.

He left by 'mutual consent' after a meeting with managing director Frank Stanton. Players were being informed last night.

Mr Lintern, in charge since February 2007 and who brought Pooler back to the Welsh Premiership in 2008, said: “I am disappointed but we parted company by mutual consent. The Premiership is a challenging place for a head coach, and I have to take ultimate responsibility for results."

Pooler have lost all of their nine games so far this term, including at home to Llandovery on Saturday 68-21 and are bottom of the league.

Mr Lintern added: “I think Sunday’s game between Neath and Cardiff showed where the Premiership is going with regional players, British and Irish Lions and a current Wales international in Craig Mitchell playing. We were always in with a shout against the likes of Bedwas, Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale but the game with Llandovery showed that the league has moved on this season.

“I have enjoyed my time with Pontypool and I have a lot of fond memories to look back on with pride – going back up and staying up were obvious highlights – but there is also the part I played in helping to develop some terrific young players.

“There have been difficult moments, and I will probably get some Botox to get the frown lines out, but there have been plenty of highs.”

On behalf of the club, Mr Stanton said: "It is never easy taking such a decision, but we felt that the time is ready for a different approach, which everyone at the club, including Gareth, hopes rescues us from our current situation.

"We have embraced modern training methods and player development under his direction and in the long term this will only benefit the club. He was an ambassador and consummate professional on behalf of Pontypool RFC.

"We will always be grateful for his commitment to the club and we wish him luck in the future."

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