Mayfield announce new head coach

Mayfield Rugby Club has announced the appointment of new head coach, Sam Butterworth.

Sam takes over after the recent departure of Matt Calland, who had many years at the club, steering them to a regular playoff spot up until last year.

This will be Sam’s second stint as head coach after a successful spell in 2009.

Sam has been a fan favourite wherever he has played, be it Kirkholt, Hornets, Leigh or Mayfield. He has a long history with Mayfield, stretching back to watching his dad, Alec, play for the club in the Pennine League and now his own son Lewis plays regular first team rugby.

Sam has played for many years at Mayfield and even picked up the Peter Birchall Mayfield Man of Steel award and the NCL Division 1 player of the year in 2014.

Mayfield chairman, Simon Howe said: “As a club, we are delighted that Sam has agreed to take on the role of manager. He knows the players and the club intimately, he is highly respected by all at the club not just as a player but as a person as well.

“Sam loves his rugby and is often seen at the club on a Sunday morning watching the Mustang’s youth games so there is no doubt about his passion for both the club and the game.

“I am confident that he will get the best out of the current crop of players and that we will carry on playing open flowing rugby in the style that we are known for."

Sam himself says that the challenge excites him and that he knows this will be no easy ride for either him or the players, but he will give it his absolute best and he will ask for nothing less from his players."

Sam will be assisted by Steve Wood, who has also come on board and who has a long association with the club.

 

 

 

After starting out at Heywood, Steve was an outstanding player with unquestionable commitment and passion for the game. A well-respected member of the club, he has a great record coaching youth rugby, with his current under 18s making a clean sweep of the trophies in their division.

Steve’s son, Brandon, also plays for the side. 

Sam and Steve in turn will be assisted by the NWML coaching staff, Craig White, Neil Ramsden and Marvin Connolly.

Mr Howe added: "The fact that Sam has asked Steve to be his assistant is fantastic; two real club men at the helm of a great club.

“It's testament to the youth policy and the family ethos we have here at Mayfield when you realise that all five of the coaches mentioned above have sons playing rugby at the club: I can’t wait for the new season to begin in March."