Beverley ARLFC’s Joe Morley said that pride was restored in the club’s shirt during the final month of the National Conference League season and hopes that it can use momentum gained to secure an immediate return to Division 2.
The Blue & Golds were relegated last month after defeats at Barrow Island and Crosfields, however they picked up their first away victory of the season in their final away day at Dewsbury Celtic, winning 20-18 on 27th August.
Beverley were due to face also relegated Hunslet Warriors in their final game on Saturday 3rd September, however the West Yorkshire club dropped out on the league amid merger rumours with Hunslet Parkside.
Barrow Island finished third in the ladder and overcame Morley’s men 20-10 in Cumbria, before the Blue & Golds travelled to Warrington-based Crosfields on a Wednesday evening with just 14 men.
Such was their commitment, that the Beverley squad and coaching team received a standing ovation from the home players and supporters.
Morley told Beverley Life he hopes that the players can take that pride forward into a successful 2023.
“We had three very tough away games in the space of a week and showed a hell of a lot of character,” he said.
“Not many of those who went to Barrow had played together before, but on another day, we could have won.
“Going to Crosfields on a Wednesday night, we had blokes taking time off work to play and we could only take 14.
“However, we set a precedent that night with our attitude and discipline on the pitch and the way we stuck together and all put a shift in.
“The scoreline didn’t reflect our effort and we actually received a standing ovation coming out of the clubhouse that night.
“It was the first time that has happened to me in 20 years of playing rugby and we really earned the respect of all three clubs we played that week.
“The lads deserved to get that win against Dewsbury Celtic which was our first on the road this year and ultimately our last game of the season.
“Hopefully, we can continue that momentum and attitude into pre-season and 2023.
“We’ve put down a marker for the values we want to keep and restored some pride in the Beverley shirt.”
Morley, 28, will step down from the interim head coach role following a committee meeting later this month.
Beverley are now on the lookout for a new head coach as they aim to gain promotion from Division 3 at the first time of asking.
Morley said: “Last month, we got the feeling back that people want to play for Beverley once again.
“This season didn’t get off to an ideal start in pre-season and we had three head coaches, which is never going to help.
“We are actively on the lookout for a new head coach who we hope will bring stability to the club and, if we have commitment from the players once again, there’s not reason why we can’t be successful.
“Our aim has to be to come straight back up, whether that’s automatically or via the play-offs.
“Getting back into the habit of winning is important, similar to what we had in 2018.
“We will have another committee meeting following the presentation evening on 14th September and then a players’ meeting to outline pre-season plans from November.”
On a personal level, Morley said that if he returns to playing, it will be with the A team in the Yorkshire Men’s League as he looks to help bring on the next generation of Blue & Golds.
He will also continue his role as U13s coach for Beverley Braves and support the new coaching team where necessary.
“The A team is important as it’s a place for those getting a bit older who just want a game of rugby, as well as for younger players to play against men,” Morley added.
“The physical difference between the U16s and even the U18s is a big step up, but the A team is a good stepping stone for that.
“Chris Charles, our current U16s coach, is hopeful of running an U18s team next season, which would be fantastic for the club.”
In terms of player recruitment, Beverley will begin to put out feelers during the autumn.
The future of star outside back, Francis Coggle, who played on a reserves contract with Super League side Castleford Tigers this year, will depend on if he is retained at Wheldon Road for 2023.
Club stalwart Steve Connolly won’t be featuring in the blue and gold however, after he announced his retirement from the game after the victory at Dewsbury Celtic.
Morley said: “Steve has played for Beverley for what seems like forever.
“He announced in front of the lads after the Dewsbury Celtic game that he is going to retire and it’s only right that his efforts are recognised for what he has done for the club.”
Anyone interested in discussing the vacant head coach role at Beverley ARLFC should contact committee member Ian Pollard on 07779 357988.
