MIKE JONES previews the new season for Bury RUFC

WHILE last season wasn't a disaster for Bury RUFC it was by no means a success.

Having started with some promise the expectations of spectators, players and the management went unfulfilled.

Even the most fervent supporter felt somehow cheated at the top one-third of the table finish, but putting aside emotion that was probably about as much as the team deserved.

All that is history, what went before has little or no bearing on what may be achieved in the next eight months.

Speaking to both club chairmen Chris Caloe and coach John Hargreaves at the pre-season trial match last Saturday, it is clear that radical changes have taken place in the close season.

Chris spelled out graphically what had been achieved, and how this would benefit the club on all fronts.

Past captain John Westwood, having served for three consecutive years, will continue as a player.

He will probably play as a prop, not a flank forward, but his wealth of experience will greatly assist new captain Bernard Robinson.

I have known Bernard from being a teenager and have always admired him as a player. If his man-management skills can be extended into captaincy the club will prosper.

"The seeds of success at all levels have been planted over the last seven years," said chairman Caloe.

"We have restructured the teams, instead of having a regimented first, second, and third XV, the new system will allow us to fast-track players from the development squad under player coach Phil Hambleton.

"There needs to be a flexible approach to promotion of players, age should be no barrier, if they are good enough, they should play at the highest level.

"The old third XV - as was - should now be considered a social side and those players who wish to compete at, one has to say, a much slower pace, and see out their playing days with their friends can do so, then relive the glory of yesteryear at the bar.

"For the first time in 10 years the club boasts a ladies' XV. Their predecessors were scuppered by their own success, having progressed to National Two, with all the associated travelling and expense incurred had to fold as the club was unable to support them. This will not happen again.

"I honestly believe in my twenty-five years with the club that we can break out from what bluntly, is mediocrity.

"The club, be it at junior, youth, or senior level are on the brink of a renaissance, I am fed up with talking to past players and officials who insist on saying how good we were in the sixties, seventies and eighties. Bury have stood still, and sides which we would not have played in those days have advanced.

"If we do not succeed, it will not be through lack of effort."

It was also a refreshing change to interview coach John Hargreaves who said: "We are fitter than last season. For most matches we stood on the pitch for the first ten minutes and watched the play go round us.

"Then faced with a 10 to 15 point deficit played catch-up for the rest the match, and lacking any decent level of fitness were unable to sustain a comeback in the last 20.

"This season will be different, we shall go from the off, stamp our name on the game, rack up some points, and bury the opposition in the last 20.

"We have a great set of backs, and for a more than competent pack, we may struggle in the front five, unusual for a Bury side normally so dominant in this area.

"But what ball the forwards provide will not go wasted. I expect, to win the league."

Watching the trial match on Saturday, in which the club defeated a competent and well-drilled Colne & Nelson by a margin of seven tries to one, the shoots of recovery seemed apparent.

Tomorrow Bury face their first league opponents Heaton Moor at their Stockport home. Kick-off 3pm.