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News
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Interview with James Criddle, Chief Executive, Doncaster Knights 15 June 2007
Allan MacGregor (AM), the Knights’ media manager, gets an update from James Criddle (JC) on what’s happening at the Club in the early close season.
AM: Obviously the supporters are keen to hear what’s happening on the player front for next season. First of all, who is leaving us?
JC: In the pack, Steve Barretto has moved to Plymouth: Dan Cook to the Hull club near where he lives: Russ Earnshaw has relocated with family to the South West: Jason Forster has moved back to Wales for family reasons: Ryan Peacey has moved to Harrogate; and Nat Talei has moved to Premiership rugby at Worcester. In the backs, Rob Worrincy has gone back to rugby league and Mike Woods was released.
AM: So three first choice players gone from our formidable pack. The big question is how are they being replaced?
JC: We have signed Mark Soden, a strong number 8 who had lots of Premiership and European experience at Northampton before playing last season in Italy. We have also signed Chris Planchant, a back row from Waterloo, and are in the process of arranging a season loan of a lock from a Premiership club – hopefully that will be finalised in the days ahead but until pen is put to paper, I don’t want to say any more. We are still looking for another number 7 and we are confident we will find the right player. Also, we will have back on board a fully fit Glen Wilson who was outstanding at the start of last season until his injury – he is coming back on a full time basis like the rest of the squad and is raring to go.
AM: The backs will be boosted by the arrival of Justin Bishop as player and backs coach, from London Irish. Any other backs arriving?
JC: Justin will make a difference, no doubt; and he has brought in Scott Young from Ulster who can play centre, wing or full back. We saw the backs improve significantly later on last season and we are happy with the make up of the squad.
AM: The move to a full time squad – how has that worked out?
JC: The squad will be effectively full time this season – only two players who retain significant careers outside the Game will be part timers, but they are both able to manage their days so that they will be able to integrate with most squad activities.
AM: And the support staff – any changes there?
JC: We are delighted that Geoff Evans will be full time fitness coach this season, joining Vicky as full time Physiotherapist.
AM: What’s the latest on the appointment of a Director of Rugby?
JC: There was a good response to the job advert and we are currently in the process of candidate selection. We want to get this right and won’t be hurried in doing so. There are excellent candidates out there. In the meantime pre season starts when the squad reports for 2/3 days of pre season fitness testing and assessment starting on Monday 18th June.
AM: What has been arranged for pre season matches?
JC: We are taking the squad to Newcastle Falcons on Saturday 18th August, and then playing 1st and “A” team matches at Headingley against Leeds on Sunday 26th August.
AM: The fans will be keen to take a look at the squad and to meet the new DoR. What’s planned?
JC: I would like to arrange a Sunday BBQ where fans and players’ families can get together for an afternoon mid summer; and I want to repeat the fans evening supper with a Q&A session with the new DoR in August. That went down very well last summer.
AM: Do you see the Rugby World Cup having any influence on us?
JC: Yes – in two ways. Luke Gross has been selected for the initial USA Eagles squad and has to report back to America for a training camp end of June. Then we would lose him for the RWC period itself if he goes on to participate in the event. There is also likely to be a player availability effect in that we know Premiership clubs who will be badly affected by RWC call ups are retaining more players than needed to cover the RWC period, and some of those will become available a couple of months into the season. We may be interested in one or two, especially if we pick up bad early season injuries, and have made a contingency to that effect in our playing budget.
AM: What are the plans for the “A” team next season?
JC: We are convinced that a viable and regularly playing “A” team is an integral part of the Knights’ set up. For next season we are putting together a fixture list that will see strong opposition, sometimes on Saturdays and sometimes on Monday evenings - games that will keep the whole squad active and competing for 1st XV places. Eugene Martin has been offered and accepted a full time role at Rotherham as Backs’ Coach. Our goal this season is to have someone in a fulltime role managing the “A” team as well as developing a better performance pathway for younger players throughout the Club.
AM: Tom Ryder has also moved on. How does this affect DIRECT?
JC: Tom was a major factor in the development of our community programme and the significant milestone of achieving charitable status. We wish him well in the next stage of his personal development. Our goal is to work on this excellent progression with the maintenance and expansion of key partnerships whilst sourcing additional funding streams that will support the expansion of our community programmes.
AM: Did the early bird season ticket offer go down well?
JC: It did! Some 80% of last season’s ticket holders and members took up the offer to renew on favourable terms. We are reviewing the remaining 20% to ensure they have the same opportunity. New season ticket applications will receive 15 games for the price of 12.
AM: The website ran a fan questionnaire asking what aspects of match days they thought we could improve upon. Any response to that?
JC: One issue raised was freedom of movement around the ground and I am pleased to say we have found a solution that will satisfy everyone. There may have to be some restrictions on “big gate” days like the Rotherham and Saints’ matches but I am sure fans will be happy with the changes. I would like to thank so many for voting - all the suggestions have been taken on board, I assure you!
AM: Talking of the website, any changes expected there?
JC: We view the website as the primary communication channel with our supporters here and abroad, and with the public in general. It is updated daily, often several times a day. And what we post is fact, not speculation! We are working with all areas of the club to further develop the website and the utilisation of resources that are available. We are reviewing the whole site content shortly and may make some minor changes but in general it serves us well and attracts an amazing number of visitors.
Ends.
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