Former Wigton coach Andy Brown has been appointed head coach of Borders club Jed-Forest for the 2022/23 season.
He will be joined by Mark Lee, another ex-Wigton forward who was also previously captain of Jed-Forest.
Wigton-born Brown, 42, a former pupil of Nelson Thomlinson School, worked down south in his younger days and played for Aylesbury and also Harpenden before returning home in 2008.
He was captain at Lowmoor Road and took on the coaching role, actually succeeding Lee in 2018, but it then became a Covid-affected situation and he stood down midway through the current season.
“It’s an exciting role for me because Jed-Forest are a remarkable club in the Borders, where rugby union is virtually a religion. They produce so many fine rugby players from a town about the size of Aspatria.
“I think results for them last season were not what they were expecting and as I’ve no perceived ideas about Borders rugby I think that’s maybe what attracted them to me.
“We will be starting training at the end of June and I’m really looking forward to getting started. It is an exciting opportunity for me to work with rugby like-minded people both old and new.”
Paul Cranston, the Jed-Forest president said: “We are delighted to have Andrew and Mark joining us for next season. They’ve coached together in the past and I’m sure they will both fit in well at Riverside.
“Results for us this season have been disappointing, however, both coaches are keen to get started with shaping the squad for next season.”
Lee said: “I’m honoured to be invited to join the coaching team at Jed-Forest, as part of a very talented cohort of coaches.
“Some of my best rugby experiences were at Riverside Park as club captain. The town has such a strong community with a passion for the senior club and the Thistle.
“I went on to play and coach all around the world with many teams, but have now returned to try and help the current group of players add to the legacy of this world-famous club.”
