Pre-Season Friendlies @ Dockham Road

Sat 14 Aug  Cinderford RFC 22 – 18 Cross Keys
Sat 21 Aug 21 -12 Llandovery
Sat 28 Aug v Bonymaen

Come along and support the new team. KO @ 2.30pm
See you there!

Buzz in the Forest as Deacon annouces new signings

19th July 2010 – With pre-season training well under way, Cinderford RFC (CRFC) is upbeat about its readiness for a third season in National 1 League and has announced fifteen new signings to the First XV squad for 2010/2011, with more sign-up’s still under negotiation.

Looking forward to a tough and competitive new year, Cinderford is building on strength and adding to its experienced pool of talented players whom are all growing in stature playing at this level. In an ambitious mood, new director of rugby operations, Andy Deacon, has confirmed that four new players from neighbouring Lydney RFC have now signed up with his national one club. Paul Price and Steve Price join as heavy-duty props, supported by Dean Jenkins in the back row and Martin Knight as full-back/winger.

“It’s great to attract good players from within the county who bring much experience to the squad and come with a hunger for success in the higher national 1 league. The players are being put through the mill in our pre-season training programme ready for a challenging first game away to Barking. We have a tough start really with a second away to Cambridge before our first home game v Macclesfield on 18th September,” said Deacon.

The last couple of weeks have been busy for Deacon as he has also signed 11 other new players:
Rikki Stout (prop, UWIC), Sam Wilkes (hooker, Clifton), Luke Allen (back row, captain at UWIC), Dave McKee (back row, Hartpury), Luke Carter (scrum half, Bath Uni), James Smith (back row, Hartpury), Matt Thomas (centre, Australian club), Seb Merrett (prop, Berry Hill), James Brookes (prop, Italian club) and Welsh 7s international scrum half, Tom Edwards. Jake Carter, winger, is making a welcome return to his forest club from a successful playing career overseas in Italy.

Since taking on the reigns as Cinderford’s newly appointed director of rugby operations Andy Deacon has been building and shaping his 40+ man squad with a passion. “As a club we know we’ve got to do better than we did last year and I am determined to secure our position in playing rugby at the highest level. Our squad is stronger than ever and I still have a few new faces up my sleeve!”

Chris Hall, hooker, has been appointed as the new First XV captain and starts his second year for Cinderford; he is well respected and popular with all the players and was awarded Front Player of the Year last season.

The new-look coaching team comprises Dave Pointon, as senior coach (and head of sport and director of rugby at St Peter’s School), Lee Fortey as forwards coach and Ed Archer as fitness advisor.

Back Row (L-R)
Luke Allen, James Smith, Steve Price, Dean Jenkins, Sam Wilkes, Dave McKee, Seb Merrett
Front Row (L-R)
James Brookes, Jake Carter, Rikki Stout, Tom Edwards, Paul Price, Matt Thomas.

Download CRFC 2010/2011 Fixture List