So here we are again, ready to start our preseason fixtures ahead of the 2024-25 season! Preseason started at the beginning of July and numbers training have been consistently high, with 50-60 players attending each session. Players are genuinely pushing hard for 1st and 2nd team places, and we are confident that we have a competitive squad. Training has been very good in recent weeks, and the players have worked incredibly hard on their fitness and game understanding. We have a vision for how we want to play, and we look forward to putting things into practice in our preseason games against Blackburn and Macclesfield.

We have a new coaching group, with Danny Maher joining us as Forwards coach after a fantastic playing career in National League 1 and 2, for Sedgley Park and Fylde. Greg Smith joined us from Fylde as Player-Coach. Greg spent time at St Helen’s RL academy as a young player and has consistently been the best fly half in National Two North in recent years. Alan Haworth has joined the 1st team coaching group, a reward for an excellent couple of seasons coaching our second team, and Karl Ince stays on in his role as assistant forwards’ coach. Finally, I have been given the tremendous privilege of heading up this coaching team. I am very proud to be in this role, and I will work relentlessly to ensure the squads are equipped with everything they need to be successful, and to align our philosophy and values with the wider club.

As a coaching group, we are very aligned on the way we want the team to play, and planning and preparation behind the scenes has been intensive. We have already implemented so much with the player both on and off-field, and the players have really bought in, helping us to co-create the culture that we want to push. There is a good atmosphere around the squad, and we have spoken extensively about the importance of ‘accountability,’ knowing and executing your role to the best of your ability.

In addition to retaining most of our playing squad from last season, we have several new signings that we are excited about. We have only recruited players that we feel can add significant value to what we already have and, as such, we have been very targeted in our approach. Greg Smith brings vast experience, on-field leadership, and game management, which has perhaps been missing previously. Sammy Russell, you may be aware of, is a highly talented centre who can carry the ball when needed but can also distribute extremely well. Reflecting on their time together at Fylde, ex-England Rugby Head Coach Brian Ashton referred to Sammy as one of the most talented players he had ever coached. Kyle Huish a fit, powerful centre joins us and has a background in rugby league, having played for Wigan Warriors and represented the Welsh age-grade international sides. Jenson Hamilton, another rugby league talent, joins us and can play across the back three. Marc Maher joins us from Blackburn. Marc as a versatile and skilled 10 or 12. In the forwards, Ben O’Ryan an extremely hard working, robust and versatile back-row forward joins us. Having worked with Ben at Myerscough and Fylde, I know exactly what Ben will bring to Hoppers. Finally, Alfie Longstaff joins us on a dual registration basis from Sale Sharks. Alfie is a very talented powerful and mobile hooker.

We hope that you can get down to support the squad, in our first pre-season game on Saturday 17th August, at Blackburn. Kick off is 14.30. Thanks for your continued support!

Dan Orwin

SQUAD LIST

Backs
1) Jack Roberts
2) Ben McGarvey
3) Izaak Gosling
4) Tyler Spence
5) Joe Harrison
6) Sammy Russell
7) Craig Proctor
8) Owain Williams
9) Harvey May
10) Jake Maher
11) Cam Brown
12) Kyle Huish
13) Jack Lightowler

Forwards
1) Robbie Willets
2) Ewan Naylor
3) Harry Holden
4) Wade Williams
5) Ben O’Ryan
6) Ally Murray
7) Dec Norrington
8) Asa Watson
9) Josh Jones
10) Luke Proctor
11) Will Parkinson
12) Luke Taylorson
13) Daz Hill
14) Cam Wilkinson
15) James Cross
16) Scott Richardson
17) Mike Ashdown