A NEW SEASON BECKONS
We were/are, delighted, that our first year in National League 1 following our promotion from North 2 and the subsequent League 2 Championship win at Twickenham resulted in the successes which enabled us to welcome back new and old friends alike. This, to enjoy an ever improving standard and spectacle of this great game of Rugby of ours and to offer our visitors the warm welcome which we always try to do to make sure that they all want to come back again, and again.
So to all our visiting opponents, players and supporters alike, and through this World Cup Season, we hope that you enjoy yourselves at Priory Park regardless of whether the result goes the way of your team or not!
Last year we managed to achieve a more than respectable finish at the top end of the Table , with wins against Clubs, who, but a mere few years ago we would never have envisaged playing – never mind beating.
Such has been the impact, through the introduction of the League system, on the standards of Rugby played everywhere and at Priory Park especially in recent times with the experienced hands of Geoff Wappett and Andy Northey at the helm, that we can justifiably be proud of what has been achieved by them and the Blues, not only in terms of the results but the enjoyable manner in which they have been achieved.
The bigger tests will come, every week in this League , and the question is surely, can we at Macclesfield maintain that improvement and even aim for bigger and better things in the weeks and months to come?
The experience of our Coaches, who we are delighted to retain on board, again guiding our efforts, and the dedication of the squad of players we have, have created this success and we all have to do everything that we can to support them in the campaign that they are now about to embark upon.
This squad, as you will see over starting weeks of the Season, involved a few changes, as we recruit some new players, and regrettably say farewell to others, as their jobs and lives take them to play the game elsewhere. We wish them all the best and thank them for their past efforts on our behalf.
Our Coaches have been discriminating and energetic in their recruitment, but it is also a tribute to them and the Club, that we now see players approaching us to play their Rugby in what they see as involving a high level of skill and in the lovely surroundings which we can offer at Priory Park.
Not only have the Blues been successful in their playing endeavours in recent times. The Lions ( our Second XV) have acquitted themselves well winning their League and Cup Competitions for successive seasons. Long may that continue also.
They and all the Club Teams – including the Vets – wear the Blue Jersey with pride and success, week after week and this should be appreciated by all for the enthusiasm and dedication, all the way through the Club.
The success of the Club, has not only been the result of the work on the field. I have been privileged to be involved in the Club administration for many years now, alongside a dedicated bunch of Members who put in hours of work, supporting the players and ensuring that we can continue to operate in a diligent and sensible financial manner so that we do not let our hearts run away from the realistic limitations of the challenges we have to face in present times.
Efficient and as successful as we may have been, we, like every other Club in these trying times, financially, must do better, in every area of activities related to the game and facilities which we strive to improve on an ongoing basis. This obviously means greater effort from every single Member who should be conscious always of what they benefit from week after week .
Which ever Club you are from please never take what you have here for granted! It has all come about from the work and efforts of those who came before us and we owe it to them, and those to come, to redouble our efforts to ensure even greater successes in the future.
I do regret, that due credit to the Clubs and Players at our level in this great game of ours, is not forthcoming. Many of the players in this League will move on to bigger and better things in the game, and in some cases are already playing from time to time in the Championship and Aviva League for neighbouring “senior” Clubs. – and R.F.U. Representative Teams - but all this is achieved by a diminishing support from above.
All these players which you see, week after week, have only got there as a result of considerable dedication whilst at the same time maintaining a domestic and working
Existence which enables them to progress.
Likewise with those behind the scenes, responsible for them getting them there!
Appreciate that, and can, do not support this game from your armchair in front of the TV on a Saturday afternoon but get down to your Club but in the stand or on the Touch Line at the likes of Priory Park at opposing Clubs from all over the country.
Enjoy your Rugby in the coming months but be ever aware of what has gone into putting it out there for you to appreciate.
Alan Johnson
A proud President of Macclesfield R.U.F.C.
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