Tivyside | Archive | 2004 | July | 28
From the Tivyside Advertiser, first published Wednesday 28th Jul 2004.
WITH the start of the new season virtually on their doorstep, Cardigan Rugby Football Club is this week in a state of turmoil and disarray.
Former club captain Derek Burton has resigned his position as first team coach but has confirmed that he is prepared to continue in his role as the club's youth squad coach and development officer - the latter role he performs in working in tandem with a group of local primary and junior schools.
On top of this, some of senior first team players have opted to switch to National League Division I members Narberth for pre-season training and Cardigan's life president Ian Gollop acknowledged that this and Derek Burton's resignation "has set the alarm bells ringing for us" - so much so that he called an emergency meeting of the club's management committee on Friday night.
"It can be said that we are rather in some state of disarray," said Mr Gollop.
Two vastly experienced committeemen who resigned their positions earlier this year - treasurer Steve Czech and Raymond Thomas, a past chairman, took up an invitation to attend that meeting which was chaired by Laurence Harris.
With Eifion Collins having pledged to continue to serve Cardigan in a coaching capacity, the club is now left with the unenviable task of trying to enlist the services of a specialist forwards coach with the start of a new campaign almost upon them.
Prospective applicants are free to contact Mr Gollop on 01239 612576.
Concerning the drift of a string of senior players to Narberth RFC with whom Cardigan have long had dual qualification ties, Mr Gollop said: "We have no idea exactly why they have gone.
"We are as a management committee working extremely hard right now to keep the club on the straight and narrow. We are confident that the fixture obligations of what is one of the oldest clubs in Wales will be honoured and our thanks go to Derek Burton for his services on the coaching side."
Meanwhile, Cardigan and near neighbours Newcastle Emlyn RFC are in talks about staging a home and away inter-club derby cup match in the coming season; and in October Cardigan Youth are due to embark on a tour of Canada.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008