Preston Grasshoppers RFC have appointed former Director of Rugby Gareth Dyer to the role of Head of Rugby Operations. Dyer will re-join the club’s Executive Rugby Committee with responsibility for 1st and 2nd XV rugby at Lightfoot Green.
Dyer who stepped down from the Director of Rugby position at the end of 2014/15 season for personal reasons, brings plenty of off-the-field experience and a strong knowledge of the set up at Lightfoot Green.
His return to the club is timely following the club’s decision to defer the appointment of a Director of Rugby.
The club has taken that decision to afford itself time to assess the changing landscape both in terms of its new playing status for next season and likely regulatory changes that will be coming into effect at the end of the next campaign.
The club would like to thank those who responded to the Director of Rugby advert. The role attracted significant interest and the standard of candidate was reassuringly high. The club will be keeping an open timeframe on filling the Director of Rugby role.
Speaking on his return, Gareth said “Whilst naturally I am delighted to be back involved with the club that I hold a great affinity with, it’s disappointing that my return coincides with the club having suffered relegation at 1st XV level.
I have remained close to developments at the club over the last couple of years and I am aware of the issues that have resulted in the current situation.
Obviously whilst relegation hurts, it is time to quickly draw a line under that and focus 100% on making sure we recover strongly.
To that end my message to everyone who holds Hoppers dear is simple. Now is the time when your commitment, support and loyalty to the club is more important than ever. We don’t have a right to bounce back just because of the size of club we are or the history we have.
The Hoppers family must pull together and work hard collectively to get the club heading back to where we want to be.
We are a great club with great people involved throughout. I firmly believe we can build a period of success and bring good times to Lightfoot Green”.
The club will be making further announcements about arrangements for next season shortly.
