Winter pens three-year deal at Cov

DIRECTOR of rugby Rowland Winter has extended his stay at Coventry for three more seasons.

Winter, pictured, who arrived at the club just over a year ago and guided them to fourth place in National League One in his first season, has signed a new contract to remain at Butts Park until the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

Club chairman Jon Sharp has also announced the appointment of Philip Crossman as chief executive in a move to strengthen the back office.

“I’m delighted to confirm that Rowland has committed to the club for the next three seasons,” said Sharp. “It is almost too obvious a statement to say that the club has made significant strides forward since Rowland joined us just over a year ago. Not only has he recruited well, but he has created the structure needed to give us a real shot at returning to the Championship and, building on that, the fundamentals to sustain us there.

“This close season’s new recruits tell a story – these are quality signings who want to come and play at Cov. They look at the player support that Rowland has put in place - physio, conditioning, rehab, and top class coaching staff, all with international experience – plus they see our ambition and they think, “Cov’s the place for me”.

“Rowland himself has a strong ambition to be working in the Championship within the next few years and we want him to be doing that with us.”

The role of chief executive is designed to co-ordinate the two parts of Coventry Rugby’s operations, the rugby and the business sides, and to take the whole club to a fully professional level designed to compete with the best Championship outfits.

“Philip Crossman was appointed to this role in mid-May,” said Sharp. “Phil was born in Chapelfields, went to Woodlands School, and for most of his life has lived in Coventry.

“Phil recently retired after four years as MD of Honda UK for whom he had worked in senior roles for a total of 17 years. He also worked at Peugeot and Nissan after serving an apprenticeship at Triumph Motors, so he is a proper ‘motor city’ lad.”