It is with some sadness that I announce to the Club Members, supporters and sponsors that James Shanahan will be departing Blackheath Rugby at the end of this the 24/25 season.
Shanners joined us for the 2016/17 season from local friends Old Albanians. He brought with him and attracted some club favourites in Harry Bate, Ollie Walliker, Stef Leibenberg, Neil Patrick, Anders Nilsson and Jack Daly to name just a few.
What has been quite outstanding has been his unstinting commitment to Club whilst all the time living in Norfolk, which means driving to Well Hall every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and meeting up with the team for away games in places far away such as Plymouth, Darlington and Taunton.
He is easy to misinterpret as a person, as he keeps his feelings well hidden, especially after a sloppy home defeat. But actually he cares hugely about the squad and their performances and wants nothing more than to see what we do every week in training come to fruition on a Saturday, followed by some celebration drinks in the GK bar.
As we approach our final seven games, he promises me that he will be finishing this his final campaign strongly and be attempting to gain a more than credible Top 5 finish. We currently find ourselves in 6th place in National 1 with a visit (again) to Darlington Mowden Park this weekend, before heading back to Well Hall for our next home game vs Sedgley Park on March 1st.
Next season he will start a new role for Bury St Edmunds in N2 East, which is only 25 minutes from home and will give him more time, at long last, to spend with Hannah, Scarlett and Cian, and also be closer to all of his family.
Shanners is equally heavy hearted to go, and says “To the supporters and club stalwarts of Blackheath Rugby, I wanted to say a big thank you for your 7 years of support and enthusiasm whilst I’ve been coach here. I’ve learnt it’s always best to leave when things are on your own terms and it’s not been a decision made lightly, but it’s time for a new challenge and time for Blackheath to have a new person at the helm. It’s been a privilege to coach at the oldest club in the world, to lead a coaching staff that have grown and developed and flown, to have seen players achieve some outstanding records of loyalty and dedication of body and mind for the club. So from myself, my wife and children thank you for having us, we bid a fond farewell and will absolutely no doubt see some of you on the rugby circuit in the future for a Guinness. More over I’ve “LOVED IT”!”
We wish him and all the family well for their future and he will always be welcome back at Blackheath Rugby.
As one door closes another one opens, and it gives me huge pleasure to announce Tom Stradwick as Blackheath Rugby Head Coach for the coming 25/26 season. Tom has been at Blackheath since 2011 and has over 200 1st XV caps, scoring 19 tries. He is, and always has been, someone who wears his heart on his sleeve and is a fans’ favourite year in year out.
He’s a leader amongst the players and someone that the players look to when the going gets tough. He lets his effort and determination do the talking and he only stops when injury intervenes which, sadly for Tom, has been more regular over the past couple of seasons.
Following the birth of his second daughter very recently the decision to stop playing at the end of this season was made somewhat easier, and Lucy is no doubt looking forward to seeing him coming home with no more injuries and spending more time with the family.
It is great to have Tom leading the squad and fabulous to see someone with such a fantastic Blackheath pedigree leading the club as our new Head Coach. There will be lots to do as we close the current season out and also even more in the off season as we prepare for 25/26 season.
I’m sure, like me, everyone will wish him all the very best of luck and give him your full support when you see him next.
Come on Club.
Russell Ticehurst
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