WORK has started on assembling a squad to launch Lydney's National League season. The big kick-off is on Sunday, August 29 when Blackheath visit Regentsholme.
And plotting the campaign this time will be a well known Forest rugby name, Ian Seymour.
The Coleford farmer has accepted the challenge to take over the reins as Lydney's director of coaching.
His assistant will be Mike Stubbs with other duties being shared by Andy Wyman and John Saville. Last season's director of coaching, Rhodri Lewis, also hopes to be involved.
Expressing delight at Seymour's appointment, Lydney rugby manager Gordon Sargent said he was "just the man for the job."
"He was much admired as a player when he was dishing us out some stick as captain of Berry Hill. And he has also proved himself as a coach with Berry Hill and Gloucestershire. To have someone as competent and well respected as Ian virtually living on the doorstep is a tremendous asset for the club," he said.
"He will be plotting our course and we are all looking forward to the season. There is a lot
to do between now and the opening game," he said.
Sargent confirmed most of last season's squad would once again be available and reckoned a number of young players would be pressing for places. "No-one can afford to ignore the sort of form the likes of young forwards John Nicholls and Neil Morgan showed towards the end of the season and there are some good young backs waiting in the wings," he said.
Lydney will be without the services of Dwayne Edwards, Scott Edwards, Gavin Cocks, Mark Nicholls and Nick Burnett.
"Unfortunately they are all back five players so we will need to strengthen the squad in those departments," said Sargent.
For more than a decade now Lydney's strong New Zealand links have produced a couple of new players every year. And again that could continue.
"Rhodri Lewis has been talking to former All Black Lester Rutledge and he has recommended a couple of players," he said.
Anyone interested in training with the squad can turn up on Tuesday or Thursday evenings or telephone Ian Seymour or Gordon Sargent at the club (Dean 842479).