RUGBY CLUB appoint new CoaCH

Ashford Rugby Club have appointed Chris Dengate as their new head coach.

Dengate will have overall responsibility for senior and junior rugby at Kinneys Field and takes over following the club’s second successive relegation which sees them return to Kent 1 next season.

He replaces South African Darren Hall who left the club at Christmas.

Lloyd Stokes will continue as first team manager, with Rhys Fussell remaining as captain.

Thirty-seven year-old Dengate parted company with Dover in January following three-anda-half seasons at Crabble, after previous stints with Thanet Wanderers and home town club Whitstable and works as university co-ordinator with the Kent RFU.

Older brother Rob is coach at London 3 South East Sheppey.

Dengate was one of six shortlisted for the role interviewed by chairman John Norman and Stokes from an initial 10 applications.

He said: “It’s an exciting opportunity at a club which is steeped in history, had success in the past and I am looking forward to helping them have some more.

“Relegation makes it more of a challenge but I am not fazed by it. There were other jobs and other offers but having spoken to John and Lloyd, I was impressed by their excitement and enthusiasm.”

He added: “I am probably playing catch-up in terms of recruitment and retention and there is a players’ meeting planned for June.

“Ashford have some talented youngsters who have probably had to learn rugby the hard way and Kent 1 will also be a tough league.”

Chairman Mr Norman said: “Having spent the second half of the season without a full-time coach, we haven’t rushed into making this appointment.

“We considered several options and taken time to ensure we make the right decisions and give us the best possible chance

‘We believe Chris will deliver a new and exciting chapter in our history’

to take our great club back up the leagues in a sustainable manner.

“We believe Chris will deliver a new and exciting chapter in our history, with his strong background and forward-thinking approach to rugby.”

Manager Stokes added: “Having been relegated twice, we want to reverse that.

“We have also learned some valuable lessons after getting promoted quickly and coming back just as quickly.”