News

Preview ahead of this Saturday's first XV match against Banbury away 2.15pm KO.

DK’s super start to the season continues. Last weekend the lads make it “Played 14, won 14” in a very muscular game against third placed Bournville. It was a no quarter asked or given affair, and the game took its toll on both teams. This week, we head down the M40 to Banbury for the first time in a number of years, and everyone at the club is looking forward to renewing old acquaintances. Coach, Neil Shillingford has a few injury or unavailability issues and has taken the opportunity to bring a few players into the squad. Jak Davis, Rich Kelley and Tom Bissell have earned their recall following consistently good performances in the Development XV. We welcome Tom Weaver back after paternity leave.

Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Clubub

As the new season approaches DK have made some significant changes in the way that senior rugby is organised and coached at the club.

Head coach for the last three seasons Neil Shillingford has declared that this will be his last season in charge. The club  moved swiftly to put in place a succession plan for when Neil stands down. The Plan has focused on a comprehensive review of the overall coaching resource available at the club.

The club’s goal is to provide the highest standards of coaching to allow players to achieve their full potential and ambition whilst developing a competitive team capable of achieving promotion in the coming season.

Following a method that brought the club such success in the past the club have appointed two player coaches to work alongside Neil for the coming season - Pete Knight and Jon Higgins.

Pete is already a firm favourite with the Heathbrook faithful and has vast experience from his previous playing roles with Stourbridge and Birmingham Solihull. He returned to the club at the start of last season and relishes the challenges that lie ahead in his new coaching role as well as his role as a member of the a combative back row.

Jon joins DK from near neighbours Stourbridge and like Pete is relishing his new challenge . He brings a wealth of experience with him having played at Birmingham Solihull and Coventry where he partnered our own Shaun Perry. Jon says,
‘it will be a big step to combine playing with coaching but it is something that I have been considering for some time, and see it as a logical progression in my rugby career. DK are an ambitious club and I look forward to being part of the success in the coming seasons both as a player and coach.’

The senior coaching team will be completed by Mark Lockley, subject to his business commitments. Alan Brookes will continue in his role as fitness and conditioning coach.

The other significant appointment at the club during the summer is that of former first team hooker Adam Blackford who becomes Youth Development Officer as well as the club’s Coaching Coordinator. His primary responsibility will be coaching the club’s Colts side as well as supporting the club’s under 16’s and 17’s from the very successful youth section. The club recognizes that has to develop local players from within the club  who will go on to play first team for years to come - a core inner strength of the DK team spirit. No mass player imports for DK!

Changes have also taken place within team management ,  Mark Holloway becoming first team manager. Gary Smith and Julian Pugh will continue to look after the club’s successful development XV and Mark Pearce steps up from the under 17’s manager last season to manage the colts.

Future coaching planning is already under way with senior players like Gareth Davies; Ian Langford; Ben Connett and Eddie Smith already embarking on the route to obtain their coaching badges.

DK train Tuesday and Thursday nights and play their first pre season warm up game this weekend at home to Cheltenham (kick off 3.00pm) followed by near neighbours Bromsgrove at home on 21st August.t.

Further information - Gordon Bannatyne - 07850 395544

The season ahead - all change at DK

On the eve of the new season there is an air of optimism around DK following the disappointment of last year’s relegation. There is a refreshing newness about the squad and the commitment and determination to move forward and develop as a squad and challenge for the promotion places available in Midlands 2 West. There is no complacency with regard to the enormity of the task as teams such as Walsall have Hereford challenged strongly last season and narrowly missed out on promotion to Midlands 1, as well as successful sides coming into the league including old adversaries Camp Hill and Sutton Coldfield There is a feeling of déjà vu about the league as we cross swords again with some of our old local neighbours whom we’ve had close association over the years and includes teams such as Whitchurch; Bromsgrove; Stratford on Avon; Stoke and Burton

The optimism around the club is built on the encouraging performances in the opening pre season games against Bedford Athletic; Lichfield and Halesonians where great emphasis was placed on the youth and developing players from within the club. Already a number of those have shown real quality and potential including Stefan Shillingford, Gareth Bown, Jordan Brookes, Jak Davis, Stefan Thorp, Tom Lockley and Chris Bartley.

The coaching structure of the senior section of the club will be headed up by Mark Lockley and Neil Shillingford. They will be supported by former first team fly half Eddie Smith who has taken to the coaching role like a duck to water. The development fifteen will be run again by Gary Smith and Julian Pugh. Simon Hart and John Griffiths will be looking after the colts supported by Graham Cornforth in the management role. Alan Brookes will be responsible for ensuring the squad are fit and if the evidence from the preseason training in training is anything to go by then they are certainly been some positive results in that particular area. Alan will also take on much of the team management role that has previously been carried out by Gordon Bannatyne.

There have been a lot of player movements during the close season with Cameron Pimlow, Carl Robinson and Dan Chesham all moving to Malvern. Allan Mitchell has hung up his boots to take up a coaching role with Aston Old Eds although I wouldn’t’t be the least bit surprised to see Alan playing again early in the season. Adam Coniff has ended his brief association and has returned to Walsall, and Tom Mcintosh has gone to Bourneville. Russell Gauden has moved to Kidderminister and James Bullock has retired although may well be available if the situation requires. Last year’s skipper Ian Gowland has left the club and taken up a teaching post in Stockholm and will be missing for the whole season. He will keep his rugby skills going as he is already playing for the Stockholm Exiles.

To supplement the youth policy the club has retained their southern hemisphere links with three New Zealanders joining the club for the season. Scrum half Robbie Harlow has already arrived and he will shortly be joined by centre Leigh Foster in the next week or so. The third member of the trio will be fly half Manuel Rangi who will arrive in early October. In addition second row Ed Parry has signed from Dudley Wasps moving to the senior section of the club, and back row Jamie Ramsey has joined the club from Bournemouth having recently relocated to the area.

In addition some old faces have emerged including the club’s record points scorer Pete Stinton who at the age of 37 still displays his old skills although he readily admits that sometimes it’s a case of the mind is willing but and the body is a little weak. In addition Robbie Jones has made a comeback after becoming a dad at the start of last season and hopefully he will find enough time between his parental responsibilities to allow him time to train and challenge the first team place.

There will be a new face on the physiotherapy front as well with Esta Kane joining us to replace Natalie Wybrow who has moved into private practice and therefore unable to be with the team on Saturday due to work commitments. Esta brings with her a new forward thinking on the physiotherapy front and has special skills when it comes to conducting players rehab as part of the injury recovery process

There are still a number of key players on the injured list including back row and talisman Ian Langford who has not yet recovered from his ankle injury, plus years top point scorer and fly half Tom Bissell who is still recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in the cup semifinal defeat at Hereford. Wayne Millard has recovered from his elbow injury and has decided to start his playing again initially with Dudley Wasps.

So it’s back to basics, development from within with the youth policy and engendering a new club spirit that was the hallmark of the successful DK teams in the recent past. The real test starts this weekend when we face Whitchurch in the opening league game which is the first of eight consecutive league and cup games that will be played away from Heathbrook whilst the new changing facilities are being constructed.

Latest update on the new changing rooms

Now that all the underground services have been completed progress on the new changing rooms can now be seen to take shape.

Stockholm 10's July 2008

A party of over 30 members and friends of the club had a full rugby weekend in Stockholm to compete in the annual 10's tournament. On the Saturday the seniors reached the quarter finals before being beaten by an Irish invitation side. The junior competition on the Sunday went much better with the successful colts side from last season sweeping all before them to run out convincing winners.

I am led to believe the leisure hours were spent absorbing some of the local culture.

Cup draws for new season released

The draws have been made for the two cup competitions for next season. In the Intermediate cup we have been drawn away to Syston on the 18th October. In the North Midlands Cup we have a home tie against Solihull in the preliminary round - date to be arranged.

Dudley Old Boys win Summer Sevens

This is the second year of the summer sevenths have been played with more teams joining the competition this year for the first time. It was nice to see teams from the North Midlands joining the competition for the first time including Upton on Severn and Harbourne. There was also a guest team from UWIC (Cardiff) put together by former DK player Rhys Crane son of chairman Ken Crane.

The boisterous crowd at Heathrow was served up some entertaining rugby during the group's stages and the usual mixture of fatigue and errors made the semi finals very entertaining for the crowd. The eventual winners were the DK old boys who proved to be too strong who overcame UWIC in the final outscoring their younger rivals by five tries to two. Led by Kiwi Tui Asi Pito is it was lovely to see their free flowing rugby especially former DK star Steve Smart who some once again graced the Heathbrook turf with his speed and grace. Smarty how we miss you.

Special thanks and should be made to the organizers Adam Blackford and Richard Hickman for their efforts and hopefully that tournament to go from strength to strength and become a regular feature on the club's annual calendar

Ian Gowland Leaving DK

The club has suffered another major loss as another of this senior players Ian Gowland will be leaving before the start of the new season to take up a teaching post in Stockholm. Ian was last year’s captain and also top try scorer and his enthusiasm and work rate will be sadly missed as no doubt will his try scoring ability.

Dudley Old Boys win Summer Sevens

This is the second year of the summer sevenths have been played with more teams joining the competition this year for the first time. It was nice to see teams from the North Midlands joining the competition for the first time including Upton on Severn and Harbourne. There was also a guest team from UWIC (Cardiff) put together by former DK player Rhys Crane son of chairman Ken Crane.

The boisterous crowd at Heathrow was served up some entertaining rugby during the group's stages and the usual mixture of fatigue and errors made the semi finals very entertaining for the crowd. The eventual winners were the DK old boys who proved to be too strong who overcame UWIC in the final outscoring their younger rivals by five tries to two. Led by Kiwi Tui Asi Pito is it was lovely to see their free flowing rugby especially former DK star Steve Smart who some once again graced the Heathbrook turf with his speed and grace. Smarty how we miss you.

Special thanks and should be made to the organizers Adam Blackford and Richard Hickman for their efforts and hopefully that tournament to go from strength to strength and become a regular feature on the club's annual calendar

Ian Gowland Leaving DK

The club has suffered another major loss as another of this senior players Ian Gowland will be leaving before the start of the new season to take up a teaching post in Stockholm. Ian was last year’s captain and also top try scorer and his enthusiasm and work rate will be sadly missed as no doubt will his try scoring ability.

New Club Captain for next season is Ben Connett

If a club or stop the new season with a new captain, second row number eight Ben Connett will take up the challenge of trying to bring about the necessary changes in playing fortune to reverse last season’s relegation from Midland’s 1 and hopefully lead the club to a successful promotion campaign. Ben is under no illusion of how difficult this test may be but will tackle it in his normal single minded and forthright manner stamping his authority on how to the game should be played. This is Ben’s second stint as captain having led the team in their first season in Midlands 1 following the relegation from national league three north.

North Midlands Volunteers Award goes to Roger Port

Roger Port was recently presented with the prestigious North Midlands Volunteer of the Year Trophy at the annual awards evening at Six Ways, the home of Worcester Warriors RFC. Roger deservedly won the award following more than thirty years loyal service to Dudley Kingswinford RFC. In that time he has been Chair of Youth Rugby, Club President, and served as Chair of Rugby for eighteen years. He helped push the club forward to the National Leagues of rugby in that time Roger currently works many hours in an unpaid capacity as Club Manager, and has worked tirelessly in developing the facilities of the club Everyone at Heathbrook is delighted that Roger’s efforts have been recognised

Presentation Evening

Almost 150 players wives girlfriend parents and officials filled the clubhouse for the annual presentation evening. In addition to the main presentations a number of special awards were made including one to Mark Wilson former head coach in recognition of his tremendous service to DK in the 10 years he spent at the club. Another was made to Physio Natalie Wybrow who is leaving to take up work in private physiotherapy practice. The club also made a donation to Mike Fellows on behalf of St John's Ambulance for their service to both the senior and youth section of the club being in attendance every Saturday and Sunday come rain or shine.

Work starts on new changing facilities

Today work got under way on the first phase of the new development of the changing rooms and other club facilities. It is expected that the work will take around five months to complete meaning that the first month the season will see little or no league rugby being played at If  at least throughout September. It is the plan to publish pictures of the development as it progresses and the first few are already in place showing the initial ground works prior to the demolition process. Over the coming weeks and months an update on progress by means of photographs giving a visual display on how the development is progressing.

Colchester Colts Challenge

DK Colts have got another home draw in the National Colts Cup and will be testing themselves against a strong Colchester outfit who scalped Rosslyn Park in the previous round.

Double cup success for DK

DK enjoyed a good weekend in the cup. The 1st XV are through to the semi final of the North Mids cup after defeating Worcester Students, whilst DKs superb colts side are throught to the next round of the National Colts Cup after a fine victory over a strong Doncaster team

DK Summer Ball 2008

A flier for the DK Summer Ball is now on the site, for more information click the link on the left or contact the club

DK Colts in action

DKs all conquering colts are in action at Heathbrook this weekend (9th February) against Worcester Wanderers Colts in the first round of the North Midlands Colts Cup. Kick off is at 2.15pm

The English Colts Knockout Cup Rd 5 (North/Midlands) match against Doncaster Colts has been confirmed for Sunday 24th February K.O. 2.00pm. Get down and support the lads!

International rugby at Broadstreet RFC

On Sunday 3rd February England Deaf take on their Welsh counterparts, the current World Champions, at Broadstreet RFC (K.O. 1pm).

As many associated with the club will know Nigel Francis represents the Welsh Deaf team and has been selected to start the game.

Entry to the ground costs £5 and there will also be a guest appearance from Miss England.

New coaching team at DK

Following the resignation of head coach Mark Wilson prior to the league game against Kenilworth the club has appointed a new coaching team comprising Neil Shillingford and Mark Lockley.

DK move to strengthen injury ravaged squad

Having lost their open six matches the club have moved to strengthen the squad by signing 6 mew players this week. Forwards Paul Coles (front row) Sam Herrington (lock) and Tom McIntosh (back row) have joined from Moseley in time to play against Loughborough Students this weekend. In addition backs James Lloyd Jones (full back) Carl Robinson (Centre) and Dave Hadkiss (Scrum/Fly Half) have joined from near neighbours Stourbridge again in time to play this weekend subject to all the registrations going through on time.  

Injury Update

Following what can only be described as an unprecedented injury list club physio Natalie Wybrow has had her work cut out trying to treat and rehab the players. Still on the treatment list at present are:

Adam Blackford - hooker Broken Rib - mid November

Al Francis - prop - rib cartilage - due end October

Ben Connett - lock - knee due back mid October

Dan Shakespeare - neck - end of October

Wayne Millard - elbow - no date

Gareth Davies - shoulder & arm - New Year

Jon Shankland - broken ankle - New Year

Ben Coles - hamstring - early November

Mike Jones ankle - end October

John Fallon hamstring - end October

Nigel Francis thigh strain - end October

Ian Gowland - broken hand - mid October

Tom Weaver - knee - early November

All change at DK

There has been a lot going on at DK over the last few months much of it not reported. The opportunity has now arisen to rectify this shortcoming and the information below is designed as a summary of what has been going on.

Player Movements:

During the close season the club lost 4 key members of the first team squad. Andy McLellan returned to Kidderminster, Richard port moved to Wolverhampton; skipper Pete Knight to Stourbridge and Eddie Smith retired following the serious eye injury he sustained in the Play Off final at Beverley. Incoming have seen wing Adam Coniff arrive from Walsall & hooker Jeff Large from Solihull. With the current crop of very talented young players the club plan to build their promotion push based on a strong youth development

Changes in the Committee:

Roger Port stood down as Chairmen of Rugby after 14 years at the helm, to be replaced by Ken Crane. Ken's previous role as secretary has been filled by Dave Coyle who now adds this to his role of programme editor.

Coaching Changes:

Mark Wilson continues in his role as Head Coach and will be supported by an extensive range of coaches. Warwick Bullock will take a greater role in developing the forwards with Andy Grosvenor and Simon Taylor assisting Mark with the backs. Bob Ashwood will take an active role in working to develop fitness and stamina. Simon Hart remains as Development Team coach and is supported by Julian Pugh and Gary Smith who have moved up from the colts. The Colts will now be coached by Mark Lockley & Neil Shillingford

New Brewery:

After 10 very successful association with Scottish & Newcastle the club have formed a new partnership with Marstons Breweries (Formerly Bank's) to be the exclusive supplier of beers & lager to the club. The new agreement will take effect around the middle of October with a special promotion day planned for Saturday 20th World Cup Final day.

Luctonians League game officially abandoned

Luctonians result declared void. DK lost a front row forward after 4 minutes, and again after 32 minutes meaning that the game was effectively abandoned because it resorted to uncontested scrums. As a result the game will be replayed on Saturday13th October - Kick Off 3.00pm

Club shocked by the news of the sudden death of Gavin Tipper

Gavin's untimely passing has been received with shock and great sadness by his many friends and fellow players at the club. It has already been said by many that Gavin really was a great guy, a gentle giant, a superb athlete and tremendous forward for many years with DK. His dedication and fitness saw him play with distinction in the 1st XV until he reached 40, after which his athletic prowess took him into triathlons where he became a fine competitor. It was during a training run on Tuesday evening with colleagues from Black Country Tri Athletes that Gavin collapsed and was rushed to Sandwell General Hospital where despite heroic efforts to save him, he sadly passed away. Gavin has the honour of being the only player representing DK to score a try at Twickenham when he appeared for the club in the NPI Cup final in 1999. On behalf of everyone at DK, the club would like to offer their heartfelt condolences, to his wife Mandy and children, Lara and Jacob at this very sad time

Presentation night

Another successful evening at the club was held last Saturday for the annual presentation of awards for the season. Over 150 players, officials together with partners attended in what was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

• Jerry Jones Clubman of the Year - Ros Lob & Ellen Harris

• Paul Keeton Player of the Season - Shaun Griffiths

• Player's player of the season - Pete Knight

• David Vaughan Young Player of the Year - Adam Blackford

• Season tickets player of the season- Simon Fletcher

• Mac Growcott - Top Points Scorer - Tom Bissell 119

• RJ Smith - Top Try Scorer - James Jefferson 23

• Fred Fry Shield - Wasps - captain - Richard (Woolfie) Smith

• Development Player of the Season - Liam Reynolds

• Colt of The Year - Gareth Bown

• Ron Nitsch Most Improved Colt - Michael Whitehouse

• Colts player's player - Danny Hawkins

• Wasp of the year - Dave Hartland

• Wasps Player of the Year - Neil Shillingford

• Wasps manager's player of the Season - Lloyd Davies

• First team Ties - Dan Chesham

Eddie Smith announces his retirement

Long serving fly half eddie Smith has announced his retirement from rugby following a series of injuries that have dogged him over the last couple of seasons. In a career spanning 10 years Eddie has been an integral part of a back division that was equal to any around. He made his debut at 18, played in the DK team that reached the final of the NPI cup in 1999 making the break that led to DK's opening try. A member of the league & cup double winning side the following season that took DK into the National leagues for the first time Eddie continued to play even whilst studying at Sheffield University. A tough tackling Nr 10 saw Eddie make more than his fair share of big hits over time, and it was those that eventually made him make his decision after having to retire from the play off final game against Beverley at the end of April. That injury may still yet require further medical treatment as the recovery is taking longer than originally expected. Eddie will be missed as a player, but will not be lost from the club as head coach Mark Wilson has already asked him to join his coaching team.

Andy McLellan returns to Kidderminster

First team full back Any McLellan has left DK after 5 seasons to return to his home town club Kidderminster, to aid them in their revival plans to move up the league structure. A committed and enthusiastic player Andy has been the last line of defence for several seasons - secure under the high ball, solid in the tackle and has had varied success as a goal kicker to go along with it. All at DK wish Andy all the best in his quest to revive Kidderminster's the fortunes.