Delighted McDermott hails ‘massive effort’ in pre-season programme

WITH the new season just around the corner for Widnes RUFC, head coach Lee McDermott has taken time out to speak of how happy he is with progress so far, as the club take their first steps towards redemption as they look to shake off the disappointment of relegation last season.

“It has been a massive effort by everyone so far,” McDermott said.

“The new coaching trio of Andy McIntosh, Ben Glover and Andy Eyres are all good coaches in their own right, but together they have all made a massive impact.

“Part of the reason we wanted to do the job was because of all the young talent we have coming through from last year’s Colts side, and it is up to us to try and get them through and into the senior squad.

“The attitude on the training paddock has been great. We have been training three times a week, attendance has been good and there have been no complaints.”

He continued: “The second- team is also massively important as a feeder team to the senior side as are the juniors who are the long-term future of this club.

“This year may well be something of an unknown quantity, but we are all looking forward to bringing lads through and moulding together a squad in a happy and enjoyable atmosphere.

“All we want is for everyone to give 100% and face each and every challenge as it arrives head on.

“Ultimately, our ambition is to have every open age player wanting to get into the first-team. Every team and every player is important to us and we hope the club is important to them too.” ● The first of those challenges that McDermott talked about takes place on Saturday, August 6 with a pre-season fixture at home against Eagle. This fixture will also be a barbecue and player registration day where annual playing subscriptions should be paid.

Other pre-season games will take place on August 13 with another home game against West Park, whilst a week later on August 20, there will be an inter-club trial game. All the games will kick-off at 3pm. ● The cup draws have not been kind to the other senior teams. With the first XV already having been drawn away at West Park in the Lancashire Trophy competition, the other senior teams have also missed out on a home game. The seconds have been drawn away at Wilmslow in the Lighting & Building Services Bowl, whilst the thirds are also on the road at Wallasey in the Plate competition.

Both games will take place on Saturday, September 27, kick-off 3pm.