Bedford Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer believes that the time is right for a change in leadership following the appointment of Nick Fenton-Wells as club captain in place of James Pritchard.
South African Fenton-Wells completed a permanent switch to Goldington Road from Premiership finalists Saracens in March and will inherit the armband from full-back Pritchard, who has skippered the side for the past four years.
“First and foremost I want to thank Pritch for his tenure as captain,†said Rayer.
“He has been a true professional throughout and a fine leader of the team who has always let his performances do the talking.
“He has already cemented himself into the history books at Goldington Road and is a real modern day legend of the club.
“He is determined to make what would be a fourth appearance at a Rugby World Cup in 2015 with Canada, and that again would mark an incredible achievement in an already illustrious career.
“With a huge shift in personnel at the club I felt the time was right for a change in leadership and this will now free Pritch up to concentrate purely on the playing side.
“Thankfully in Nick we have a ready made replacement who has shown over the past two years what an impressive and natural leader he is.
“I have no doubt that Nick is the man to pick up the reins from Pritch and continue to drive the players forward with the help and support of the other leadership figures in the squad.â€
Back row Fenton-Wells played a pivotal role when the Blues reached the 2013 Championship play-off final after initially joining from Sarries on loan.
He will be tasked with captaining a side who slid backwards after that terrific campaign – finishing ninth in the Championship in 2014.
“I am extremely proud and humbled to have been asked by Mike to captain the team,†he said.
“I am thoroughly looking forward to working with the coaches and squad to make sure we put last season behind us and get up the right end of the table next season.
“As soon as I arrived at Goldington Road I was made to feel welcome by everyone at the club, especially our fantastic fans, and I just hope that I can do everyone proud by leading the team forward both on and off the pitch.
“We’ve made a number of good new signings already this summer as well as retaining a number of very important individuals from the current squad and I’m sure that everyone will be looking forward to returning to pre-season training at the end of June. I know that I am.â€
• Meanwhile, to ensure that as many fans as possible are able to take advantage of the discounted early prices for Bedford Blues Season Tickets, the club have extended the deadline for applications from 31st May to Tuesday 10th June.
Season Ticket Benefits include:
• Cheapest way to see all the Blues HOME league stage matches
• Only way to GUARANTEE your seat
• Bring a FRIEND FOR FREE to a match
• 10% DISCOUNT – in Club Shop for ADULT season tickets
• Free Hospitality Lunch at selected matches
• International Tickets – Adult season ticket holders can apply for Autumn International and Six Nations tickets.
Download a form online at www.bedfordrugby.co.uk/tickets.
Rugby Union: Nick Fenton-Wells to replace James Pritchard as Bedford Blues ...
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