It is not often that the board of directors the Tykes exceed my expectations (and, I suspect, those of a lot of other supporters). The club has been in a state of turmoil for so long that down had started to look like up - sixth in the second tier of English rugby looks a lot better than ninth!. After the shock and disappointment of our parting of the ways with Tommy McGee our expectations were low to say the least. Then everything changed overnight..........
Our friends at BBC Radio Leeds started the rumour that Bryan "Brush" Redpath was top of the wanted list and was definitely our main target. His lack of a rugby league background did not seem to count against him. The board had stated that they wanted an experienced top flight coach and it appeared that Bryan was that man! Within days his pending departure from Sale Sharks ( due at the end of the season) was brought forward amicably and in less than a week since the rumour started Bryan Redpath was announced as the new Head Coach at Headingley.
Redpath was born in Galashiels and went to Kelso school. He started his rugby career at Melrose going on to play for Narbonne and Sale Sharks. Before retiring in 2005 he had amassed 60 caps for Scotland playing in the number 9 jersey and had been to two world cups. On retirement he became a backs coach at Gloucester, rising, after a while, to be head coach. Sale Sharks came a calling and Redpath was off up the M5. Now he is at Headingley with five games and a pre-season to play with before a serious tilt at promotion next season.
His first job must be to get some consistency into the team's performance, then get the lads to play to their potential. Some players will leave, as always, at the end of the season. He will then bring in new players of his choice and build a squad capable of winning promotion. That is the target, nothing less. He knows that it is a big challenge and has accepted it I, for one, am looking forward to seeing how he will cope.
Nice write up. This is exciting news. I just hope very much that this ushers in a period of stability, direction and genuine building foundations for the future. Biter experience of following Leeds/YC for many years tells me there will probably be a few more unforeseen twists and turns to come... We shall see.
I really can't emphasize enough how pleased I am with this appointment. For the first time since I've been calling myself a Leeds/Yorkshire Carnegie supporter it feels like RU is being taken seriously at HC.
The new board have played an absolute blinder. Think it's going to be a busy summer at HC.
The question is whether Brush will sweep out some of the coaching team and playing staff to implement his vision. How much scope and £ has he got to play with.
Redpath is coming to us at just about the perfect time. We have underperformed this season but Tommy has really set the ship back sailing on the right course, albeit the team still lacks consistency.
Lots of work still to do and, subject of course to league position, the signing gives us credibility as promotion contenders. We now have an Academy and a Head Coach of Premiership standard so that should help in retaining/attracting staff ( I mean players).
Had heard the rumours and was hopeful. Welcome Bryan. Plenty to do but as Oopnorth says stop the yellow cards and the stupid penalties and life will become a lot easier.
Interesting Press Conference. Would have liked to have heard a bit more positive contribution from Geech re funds being made available during Brush's two year tenure, but at least his words like "...strong running rugby..." give us hope that Brush is going to be the right man for the job at the right time. Looking forward to the last few weeks of the season to see if we can see where he's going, especially as he has two homes for the last two matches to sign off with a rosy view for next season!
Welcome aboard Brush, and we wish you great success!
I don't expect any cash injections - from where? - but this is a very positive statement from the club with regard to the future of rugby union. Also notable this week was the statement that we will play at Headingley for many years to come. All this brings stability that was very needed.
While I wasn't pleased to see Tommy go, Bryan's coming from a very experienced union background will be a massive boost to the correct focus on Yorkshire Carnegie and I agree that timing-wise the appointment couldn't be better. Appointing a coach at the time when players are being recruited and with plenty of time to organise pre-season? This is a whole new approach from Carnegie! Who knows, we might even get a few old boys back!
Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
Statement re playing at HC for years was made at the fans forum event which is available to view on the YC YouTube 'channel'. Hope this link works for you.
Re comments re funding or lack of being mentioned - it was Brush's unveiling so not the time and the place. However, his appointment speaks volumes and while he may not be top drawer, top drawer so to speak I see him like one of those football managers who are brought in to improve and promote a team punching below its weight. Those managers don't always stay after the objective has been achieved and a period of stability has been attained but the occasional one does and those clubs gradually get stronger and stronger.
Just wish I could get his thoughts on today's match to play on me tablet.
Gelbel Statement re playing at HC for years was made at the fans forum event which is available to view on the YC YouTube 'channel'. Hope this link works for you.
Re comments re funding or lack of being mentioned - it was Brush's unveiling so not the time and the place. However, his appointment speaks volumes and while he may not be top drawer, top drawer so to speak I see him like one of those football managers who are brought in to improve and promote a team punching below its weight. Those managers don't always stay after the objective has been achieved and a period of stability has been attained but the occasional one does and those clubs gradually get stronger and stronger.
Just wish I could get his thoughts on today's match to play on me tablet.
Brush said that he hopes to be still here in 10 years' time, so I don't think he goes along with your analogy.
Let's hope "new brush sweeps clean" later today.
Thanks Almost. Just this moment managed to play - weather so bad the broadband is dodgy for videos etc. Thank goodness better now as radio was hit and miss for a while.
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