Carlisle chairman David Stout has paid tribute to coach Matt Shields who has announced his retirement.
The 31-year-old is standing down as coach as well, with Carlisle now laying out plans for a successor next season.
Stout said: “Following his return to his home club over the last three years Matt has brought a new, more professional approach to the senior playing side and overseen plenty of changes within that side of the club.
“A strong ball carrier and scrummager, the team was much the stronger with him in it. Repeated head injuries have curtailed his appearances of late which has coincided with our difficult run. Such injuries can’t be taken lightly so we really hope there is a happy conclusion.
“The last two seasons have been incredibly challenging with COVID and an exceptional build up of injuries adding further pressure to an already difficult situation.
“On behalf of all at the club I thank Matt for all his work and commitment and wish him all the best going forward. There will always be a warm welcome for him at the club, so we hope he will remain in close touch.”
As a result of Shield’s decision the Carlisle board have been giving careful consideration to the coaching arrangements going forward. They believe that a revised structure to the current player coach role seems the appropriate way forward.
Stout added: “Central to this will be applying more focus to the development and retention of our own home grown players, topped up with new additions as the cream on the cake.
“As a club this system has always been the backbone to previous success so such a plan seems particularly relevant when the sport itself across the country, is seeing a big reduction in player numbers and commitment levels generally.
“To achieve this we will look to appoint a club youth development officer to help improve the link between our mini, youth and senior sections as well as working in the schools and community in general, promoting rugby at Carlisle Rugby Club.
“In addition we will look to appoint a new senior coach, coaching support for womans and girls rugby. We very much hope that Max Connon will remain part of that structure let alone playing!”
The plan is to reintroduce the director of rugby role, reporting to the board and already confirmed as the man to fill the position is a club stalwart, Jimmy Goode.
Stout said: “Jimmy’s enthusiasm and willingness to work with existing players and to attract new players has been greatly missed so no doubt he will be onto the case already!
“We will discuss these proposals closely with the players and work with them in taking the club’s playing side forward.
“As with any period of change we continue to rely heavily on our band of volunteers.
“Our current captain Chris Auld and sponsorship co-ordinator Barry Earl have been appointed to an already much changed and forward thinking board.
“Barry is doing a quite brilliant job, which bodes really well going forward. The return of the Border City Sevens this summer being a great example.
“Bill Glendinning will continue as the team manager, media and website co-ordinator and player support on match days.
“Our president Sue Glendinning, often singlehandedly acts as our sole official representative on match days, which is another area that we will be looking at in order to provide her with more support, hopefully from a pool of ex-players.”
