66 replies to this topic

[Barrow Phantom]

Barrow Raiders Chairman Des Johnston announced that former Great Britain star Garry Schofield O.B.E. has been appointed as head coach of the club. He will be joined by an assistant in the form of former England player Nigel Wright.
Schofield was awarded the O.B.E. for his services to rugby having enjoyed a glittering career with Leeds and Hull in England as well as at Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs in Australia. With 46 caps for Great Britain he is, jointly with Mick Sullivan, the top capped player of all time.
His first foray into coaching was as a player/coach at Huddersfield. Since then he has remained in contact with the game as a pundit on the radio and television and as a columnist for the national and rugby league press.
Most recently he coached the Great Britain under 19 side during an undefeated tour of South Africa in 2010.
Wright played as a stand-off and loose forward with Wakefield, Wigan and Huddersfield. He was assistant coach to James Lowes at Warrington Wolves. He is a qualified and very experienced trainer who has worked with some of the top Australian clubs.
Garry commented, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with a club and group of players which is up there with the best outside of Super League. Nigel and I go back a long way and although I feel we both have a lot to offer individually, as a partnership we will offer much more.”
Nigel Wright added, “I have worked with Ned Catic in Australia as well as Jamie Rooney and some of the other players at the club. It will part of my job to make sure we have a side second to none as regards preparation and fitness.”
The new coaches take the helm with immediate effect.
Their vision as to how the game should be played was one the reasons the club opted for them, “The fact that they believe in attacking from anywhere on the pitch should the opportunity arise meant we were on the same wavelength,” said Des Johnston, “Exciting rugby is what the Raiders will be about. The players need to be comfortable with the ball in hand and have licence to express themselves, too many times in the last campaign they looked at the ball as though it was a hand-grenade or something to stick up your jumper. We are in the entertainment business and an exhilarating Barrow team will have supporters flocking through the turnstiles. It was not easy to make a final decision from some excellent candidates for the post – all of whom I thank for their interest – but in the end I believe we have a coaching team who will provide what we need. They have a wealth of contacts within the sport which can only benefit the club”
Although neither of the coaches will be moving to live in Barrow, which was the clubs’ preferred option, one or both of them will be present at the club for a minimum of five days a week.

[doddj1]

Nigel Wright
Personal information
Full name Nigel Wright
Playing information
Position Stand-off/Five-eighth, Loose forward/Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1992–1993 Wakefield Trinity
1993–1998 Wigan
1995–loan Wakefield Trinity
1998–2000 Huddersfield Giants 10 1 0 0 4
Total 10 1 0 0 4
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995–1995 England 1 0 0 1

[BBCRC]

Des Johnston will be on BBC Radio Cumbria at 08:34am this morning talking about the appointments:

http://www.bbc.co.uk...c_radio_cumbria

[runaround]

How Exciting are the Appointments of these two Legends to our Club, Well done to the BOD I Can,t wait to watch the Champagne Rugby that will be Dished this coming Season,
KEEP THE FAITH,

[The Legend Killer(Hendy)]

Nigel Wright career was cut shot by an ankle injury i think and has spent quite some time coaching in oz before returning to try and get some work over hear.

[Oracle]

Totally shocked by this, and see it as a step back for the club. Yes, its nice to be able to attract 'big names' to the club but appointing a head coach without much coaching experience is surely madness. Schofield was a great player, no doubt, but great players dont necessarily make great coaches. We mustnt forget that this guy is one of the most controversial figures/pundits in the game, and i wouldn't be suprised to see some of them cross over to the raiders. Ie - cut all imports out of the game.
Oh well, guess we'll have to see what happens on the field, hope im wrong. But at least he may help youth development around the club by focussing more on homegrown talent and pushing towards a SL licence.
Would have preferred Jon Sharp to be honest

[bwa]

Des Johnston will be on BBC Radio Cumbria at 08:34am this morning talking about the appointments:

http://www.bbc.co.uk...c_radio_cumbria

Is there a recording of this on i player or was it just live??

[Barrow Phantom]

We had a coach with bags of experience last year look what happened, before that Dave Clarke with only amature coaching under his belt. So your point doesn't really work for me.

I personally think if they can keep the team fit it will as good as coach itself anyway.

[Michael Ashton]

As far as experience is concerned Cresta & Dave Clark had no experience coaching at this level and either would do for me. As I said on another stream give them a chance. I love the prospect of open flowing rugby.

[SRC]

As has been said, Schofield is probably more experienced than Cresta and Clarky were when they were Barrow coach. His playing career was second to none and he has always been involved in the sport in one way or another. He has plenty of contacts in the game which will help enourmously when looking for new players and also in raising the clubs' profile generally.

One thing is for sure, with Nigel Wright at the club the team will be in top physical condition and won't be short of the latest training techniques. He's learned his trade as a coach alongside the likes of Brett Kenny, John Kear, Tim Sheens etc and he was also a great player (who's career was cut short by injury). He was rumoured to be moving to Leeds as assistant to new coach Brain McDermott, so he's a top acquisition.

We just need to complete the playing squad now and look forward to some great rugby in 2011. Bring it on !

Get down the shop and buy a season ticket.

[Terry (Rugby1) Brown]

I have said before, this team dont need coaching they need managing.

We need someone to get them fit - And if we are having a coaching presence 5 days a week we should be able to do this. We also need someone who is strong enough to put the players in their place and develop attacking structure.

Both Schofield and Wright have played at the highest level and should have the experience to do this.

[adampayne]

I'm really pleased Nigel Wright has been brought in. He is an expert in the field of fitnes and physcial conditioning- an area in which I thought limited our success last year. Im feeling pretty optimistic regarding next season.

[holty]

I have said before, this team dont need coaching they need managing.

We need someone to get them fit - And if we are having a coaching presence 5 days a week we should be able to do this. We also need someone who is strong enough to put the players in their place and develop attacking structure.

Both Schofield and Wright have played at the highest level and should have the experience to do this.

Can't agree there terry mate. The one thing the current squad needs most is coaching....full stop. As for the appointments......I'm sitting on the fence on this one. I have reservations floating around in my head but they could also turn out to be exactly the type of coaches this squad of players need. The proof will be in the pudding as they say so lets see how they go.

[ChrisB]

Excellent appointment... The guy talks nothing but sense and you have someone that will often be in the media for one reason and another with the words Barrow coach next to or beneath him.

He was a fantastic player, a genuine winner and someone who will undoubtedly command respect from the players.

These lines in particular should have the club buzzing...
Their vision as to how the game should be played was one the reasons the club opted for them, “The fact that they believe in attacking from anywhere on the pitch should the opportunity arise meant we were on the same wavelength,” said Des Johnston, “Exciting rugby is what the Raiders will be about. The players need to be comfortable with the ball in hand and have licence to express themselves, too many times in the last campaign they looked at the ball as though it was a hand-grenade or something to stick up your jumper. We are in the entertainment business and an exhilarating Barrow team will have supporters flocking through the turnstiles.


The one question... genuinely not picking as it is widely accepted up there that there is interference of this nature... how will such a big character get on with Des' hands on approach to being chairman?

[BBCRC]

Is there a recording of this on i player or was it just live??

http://news.bbc.co.u...gue/9200666.stm

[fozzy3]

Excellent appointment... The guy talks nothing but sense and you have someone that will often be in the media for one reason and another with the words Barrow coach next to or beneath him.

He was a fantastic player, a genuine winner and someone who will undoubtedly command respect from the players.

These lines in particular should have the club buzzing...
Their vision as to how the game should be played was one the reasons the club opted for them, “The fact that they believe in attacking from anywhere on the pitch should the opportunity arise meant we were on the same wavelength,” said Des Johnston, “Exciting rugby is what the Raiders will be about. The players need to be comfortable with the ball in hand and have licence to express themselves, too many times in the last campaign they looked at the ball as though it was a hand-grenade or something to stick up your jumper. We are in the entertainment business and an exhilarating Barrow team will have supporters flocking through the turnstiles.


The one question... genuinely not picking as it is widely accepted up there that there is interference of this nature... how will such a big character get on with Des' hands on approach to being chairman?

exactly what the club needs a coach who is his own man wont take any ###### and with nigel wright on board as well i think they will go well and the players will be fit for sure this season.looking forward to fast open rugby which in turn will bring more fans through the turnstyles and will hopefully result in a great season ahead.

[gary high]

I just hope his ranting and raving in the media over the years doesn't jump up and bite him on the ar*e.

Ive never been a fan of Schofield..............................But lets wait and see if his coaching ability is as big as his mouth before passing comment fully.

[Off! Number Seven]

I think this could be a very good appointment for the club. I think we should credit the board for what appears to be a well thought out and dare I say it, strategic appointment.

As has already been stated, the combined attributes of these two appear to be exactly what a club like Barrow need to progress. Schofield has a media presence, something every Championship club bar Widnes lack, he is a respected ex-international and should have ample opportubity to promote the club. His status should command respect throughout our present and future playing staff and one has to assume that he has picked up sufficient man mangement skills through his years in the game to motivate a squad throughout the season.

Nigel Wright is an excellent assisstant, one of the best around in my opinion. As has been said, he will keep the squad in top condittion with Jugger's help and is very good technically. This should see us return to the days of miserly defense and high intensity workrate that saw us perform so well in 2009.

I am certainly happier and far more positive than I was with the appointment of Steve Mc last year.

Welcome to the club guy's, heres looking forward to a highly productive and successful future at Barrow.

[MikeHool]

Fully agree with you Off!Number7, I think this is exactly how Des and the BOD have gone about this appointment, looked at what was lacking last year and put with the plans for the future, have selected a coaching team that best fits the bill from the available candidates.
As I was not party to the selection process or a fly on the wall at the interviews I will trust the judgement of those that were to have selected the best option for Barrow.
ROLL ON 2011

[SRC]

I just hope his ranting and raving in the media over the years doesn't jump up and bite him on the ar*e.

I don't think he gives a toss about what fans of other clubs think of him. He (like most other pro's) get plenty of stick throughout their careers. You have to remember that expressing controversial views in the media is what he was paid to do - it sells papers/magazines etc and makes sure you're asked next time.