Uckfield Rugby Club makes history

Uckfield Rugby Club has made history with all three senior teams winning their leagues.

Uckfield 1s who remained unbeaten this season received the Sussex 1 Trophy at Seaford on Saturday after playing their last league match which they won 20-11.

Club chairman Martin Doyle said: "There were a lot of changes this season, the club went limited, there was a new chairman, new coach, new players and a new desire to win."

Mr Doyle said a lot of people worked hard during the season, including the board and committee, but he singled out the coach, all captains and managers and the players who had been hungry for success.

He said credit should also go to Peter Taylor who sponsored the indoor training facility at St Bedes School which meant all teams were fitter and stronger than ever with numbers at training being higher than ever.

There was special praise too for the club's supporters. Mr Doyle said that Uckfield supporters outnumbered the home support by ten to one at Seaford on Saturday.

"Next season is going to be harder than ever with all teams moving up a league but exciting times lie ahead and we are proud to announce the coaching team for next season: Jodie Levett, Jon Fordham and Kevin Martin," said Mr Doyle.

Jodie, ex Worthing captain, will be head coach, Jon Fordham is returning to Uckfield as coach/player after spells at Haywards Heath, Brighton and Kevin will be senior rugby co-ordinator.

Mr Doyle added: "These are excellent appointments and we know we will go into next season as best prepared as we can but we still have a small matter of the 1s being in the last 16 of the country and last four in the district in the national cup.

In our picture above are Uckfield RFC 1s' captain Martin Chappell with, Peter Bailey, president SRFU left, and Ken Nichols, SRFU competitions secretary right.

Below team members celebrate.

Thanks to Ron Hill for the photographs.

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