Supporters' meeting tonight (From Free Press Series)

Supporters' meeting tonight

9:36am Wednesday 11th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

EX-PLAYERS have made contact with Pontypool RFC chief Frank Stanton about the vacant coaches jobs.

Since Gareth Lintern and Jarred Lougher left Pooler last month the club has been led on the field by James Chapron and Mike Hook. They are qualified to level three and level two standard respectively and as such could be considered for the positions full-time.

But managing director Stanton revealed he is also speaking to unnamed former players who are possible contenders.

He said: "We’ve had calls from some players in the area who want to come back and be considered. I’m very positive about the process at the moment.

"In the meantime, people shouldn’t think we’re rudderless or that the guys in charge are unqualified. James has plenty of experience coaching the regional under-18 side.

"I’ve asked them to work on the defensive side particularly as we were shipping too many points. That’s been our Achilles heel."

Coaches Lintern and Lougher left Pontypool Park on the back of nine Premiership defeats. The first game under Chapron and Hook was a 40-10 defeat to Carmarthen Quins, leaving Pooler rooted to the bottom of thetable, but Stanton saw signs of encouragement.

"Those first 40 minutes we played better than we have done in a long time," he said.

"The way it’s worked out was quite fortuitous. We had the Quins game then a couple of weeks before Glamorgan Wanderers and then there’s another two weeks before Ebbw Vale.

"The first thing I did after Gareth left was to seek counsel from certain individuals. The main thing is we didn’t want to rush into a decision."

Chapron and Hook will again lead the side when Pooler travel to Glamorgan Wanderers on Saturday. Permanent appointments are expected to be announced before the battle with Pooler’s closest relegation rivals, Ebbw Vale, the following week.

Stanton added: "Our aim is to have someone in place by the Ebbw Vale game on December 5. We’ve been spending the two weeks since Gareth and Jarred left seeing who’ll put their hand up and who shares our vision for the club."

There will be a supporters’ meeting at the Pilcs Club tonight from 7pm for season ticket holders and members only.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)