Fylde welcome our old friends and rivals Harrogate RUFC to the Woodlands on Saturday (ko 15.00). The two clubs have met each other in Roses battles for many generations and ‘Gate, one of England’s oldest rugby union clubs, celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2021-22. However, since the formation of the serious RFU divisions and the advent of professionalism in the 1990s, the clubs have met each other just 18 times in nine seasons, from 1999-2003, from 2007-2011 and 2021-22. ‘Gate dominated in the first of these periods, Fylde had rather more success in the later sequence. In all, Fylde have won 8, Harrogate 10.
In terms of league status, Harrogate’s principal, sustained success was to have 13 seasons, 1994-2007, in National One, the 3rd tier of the English league hierarchy. Since then they have yo-yo’d between National Two (North) at level 4 and North Premier, level 5. Two relegations to North Premier were followed swiftly by two promotions back to N2N, the latest in 2019-20.
The two clubs met in Fylde’s promotion campaign in the 2010-11 season which resulted in a very rare double for the Lancastrians – a 20-30 victory at their then Caro Road base and a 35-12 win at the Woodlands. Eleven years later, last season, Fylde won by 80-26 in September at the Woodlands and 8-33 in Harrogate in January 2022.
There had been a long running planning dispute as the Club wanted to move away from the Caro Road site but the local authority would not approve its alternative use and a period of instability for the Club followed. It was eventually settled and in 2015 ‘Gate moved from the centre to the south edge of town to a brand new ground, the Apollo Capital Stadium on Rudding Lane. This has given the Club excellent, modern and top quality facilities embracing grass and artificial pitches and a thriving clubhouse.
Harrogate’s return to N2N last season was a real struggle. They won 3 games, lost 27 and finished at the bottom of National Two (North). The re-structuring of the National League divisions saved the club from relegation and they will hope for a much better campaign this season. This hasn’t started so well as they’ve lost their first two matches – 67-15 at Rotherham and 7-24 at home to Wharfedale.
The previous Director of Rugby, David Doherty, has been succeeded by Martyn Woods. He’s assisted by the recently appointed Defence Coach, Gary Mercer, who has long experience in both codes at club and international level. He played for Leeds, Bradford, Warrington, Halifax and New Zealand in rugby league and had a spell as coach at Halifax before switching codes to union. His coaching career in rugby union includes time at Yorkshire Carnegie, as defence coach for Glasgow Warriors and in charge of National Two outfit Biggar, as well as working with the Scottish Rugby Union Academy. He will remain as Head of Rugby and tutor at Ashville College. The Club said: “[With Gary Mercer] working alongside Head Coach Sam Fox we are expecting great things.”
Harrogate have a young but strong pack which will collectively prove a serious test for the Fylde forwards, with a very solid lock partnership of skipper Sam Brady and new recruit ex-Leeds Beckett University and Morley RFC lock Tomas Phipps. Young prop duo, former West Park Bramhope & Leeds Tykes Academy prop Henry Derbyshire and new signing Seif Elsayed, ex-Ulster Development Squad, Otley, Malone RFC & Leeds Beckett University, have featured in games to date. The backrow roster includes Greg Jones, Will Hill and Tom Spencer-Jones.
Amongst the backs, playmaker and goal kicker is Sam Fox and there’s attacking prowess in the centre with local youngster Jack Kennell and Jordan Cummings. Fly-half is usually former Leeds Beckett University’s Tom Steene and ex-Wharfedale & Otley utility back and goal kicker is Rory MacNab.
‘Gate suffered a major off the field blow with the recent death of well known former player and official Bill Barrack. He was a formidable rugby player as both a prop and in the second row and he made many friends at former clubs Newport Rugby Club and also at Stourbridge Rugby Club. It is rumoured that his style of play led to his nickname of ‘Wild Bill.’
At Harrogate Bill became a long-standing servant to the club fulfilling several officer roles, including President, Chairman and Secretary, but was equally happy mopping up changing rooms, unblocking sinks or changing lightbulbs. He was Membership Secretary 1999/2000, Hon. Secretary of HRUFC from 2008 to 2022, Fixture Secretary from 2000 to 2022. Press officer: 2011 to 2022. We send our sincere commiserations to Bill’s family and friends.
