Rugby Club Issue 49 | Page 63

HUTTON We are based at Lancashire Police Headquarters as guests of the Chief Constable and have our pitch, changing and gym facilities and the social club made available to us under these arrangements. Having had Chris Walmsley as chairman since inception, his decision to stand down resulted in my being asked if I would put myself forward for the position, to which I was subsequently elected. Chris’s decision to stand down after seven years triggered a small spate of retirements among the senior players. With hindsight it was not really unexpected after 7 years of relative stability. This resulted in a dearth of available players on a couple of weekends early in the 2013/14 season resulting in us failing to fulfil a couple of our fixtures. Two 5 point deductions ensued. This brought something of a crisis to a head. Valuable assistance was at hand in the guise of a couple of RFU representatives who introduced us to the sports section at UCLAN in Preston. The result was an influx of 18 year old fresher’s who gave us valuable assistance in staving off what could have been a disaster with the distinct possibility of the club folding. www.rugby-club.biz 63