Kentish Express Ashford & District
‘Let’s enjoy our rugby again’
Rugby
Lloyd Stokes is continuing his long involvement with Ashford Rugby Club following his appointment as team manager.
The 34-year-old who has been at Kinneys Field since the age of four, has served as player and coach, stepping in to hold the fort two years ago when Gregor Dougall resigned as head coach.
Stokes felt unable to commit to the job then but feels his new role, which he started in June, offers him the perfect vehicle to support the work done by coach Darren Hall and skipper Rhys Fussell.
He said: “I was setting up my own recruitment business and couldn’t commit but things have gone well and now I have the time.
“Darren and Rhys do a fantastic job on the pitch but I see my job as giving the club’s senior rugby more structure, getting involved in attracting sponsorship, kit and building relationships
with new players.” The club have drawn a line under last season, following relegation from London 2 South East when they failed to win any of their 22 league matches.
Stokes said: “The attitude is to get everybody enjoying their rugby again.”
“Some of the young players haven’t experienced what winning is like and we also have a lot of young guys from the under-17s and 18s with first team potential.”
Ashford continued their warmup with a trip to west London on Saturday, taking part in the annual Grasshoppers Tournament, going out to Sevenoaks.
Fussell, starting his second season at the helm, added: “I am excited and the most humbling thing for me is to see as many as 35 guys at training,
since we started back in mid-July. “We have put a lot of hard work in and now I want to see what we look like on the pitch.” “I can’t wait to get back on the horse and get going. “We are looking at this as a transition year, building up the squad ahead of a big push next season.” Former captain Peter Walsh has left the club to join Medway, while front-row man Brad King arrives from Ashford Barbarians. Fussell said: “It’s sad to see Pete go but he wanted to have one more season at a higher level. He has been a big part of the club and I would like to think he will be back.” Ashford 2nds play Whitstable 2nds on Saturday (1pm), with the 1st XV meeting Hastings & Bexhill (3pm) in two preseason friendlies. Ashford start their London 3 South East campaign with a trip to Thanet Wanderers, also relegated last season, on Saturday, September 10.