News

New Signings

The Club are pleased to announce a number of new signings for next season, as well as the return of a few old favourites.

The most famous recruit is former Ireland scrum-half Guy Easterby, veteran of 28 caps and 30 Heineken Cup appearances. Tadcaster-born Easterby, 36, has been recruited from Leinster primarily as backs-coach and will play on a strictly amateur basis. Nevertheless, he is the most decorated player signed by the club and he is expected to be first-choice No 9.

Head Coach Peter Clegg, who coached Easterby at Harrogate more than a decade ago, said: "Having Guy will be a massive boost for us. He can bring us so much experience. His rugby knowledge will be of great benefit to Otley.”

We also welcome back props Justin Wring and Kris Fullman from Bristol and Halifax – before leaving Cross Green last year, the Bristolian brothers-in-law had been regarded as perhaps the best scrummaging pair outside the Premiership.

The third member of that feared front-row, Mark Luffman, is coming back as first-team coach, although Peter Clegg will still be in charge, with Mike Barnett now 'club coach'.

"Getting (Easterby) is a real statement of intent,” commented Clegg. “As is signing Justin and Kris. Our aim is to get promoted: anything else will be a failure. We had seven seasons in National One and we don't intend to drop our standards. We have a stronger squad than last season, with competition for places, and we want to impose ourselves on the division."

The Club, who have only lost Alistair Livesey, Dave Whitehead, Jon Benson and Neil Chivers, have also signed English Counties lock Richard Snowball from Darlington and centre Jon Buchanan from Rotherham. The club is still looking for a stand-off to replace Simon Binns, who retired at the end of last season.

The Clubhouse

Officers of the Club

President: Paul H Whatmuff, Past President: Gordon Baines, Secretary: Marc Lawrence, Treasurer: Steve Cooper

Committee

Chairman: Paul Jaques, Rugby: Michael Wright, Senior Vice-President: Mike K Henry, Fixtures: Marc Lawrence, Membership: Chris Payne, Ground: Dick Houlton, Structures: Michael Proctor, House: Mike Gillson, Press: John Finch, Sponsorship: Paul Whatmuff, Ladies: Gillian Wilson, Juniors: Paul Carter, Programme: Peter Thompson, Bar: Peter Longstaffe, Rugby Chairman: Michael Wright, Head Coach: Peter Clegg, 1st XV Captain: Ian Shuttleworth

League

North Division One 1989/90

National Division Four (North) 1990/91

National League Three 1992/93

Jewson National League One 1999/2000

Challenge Cup 1888/89, 1909/10, 1910/11, 1928/29, 1930/31, 1933/34, 1935/36, 1936/37, 1992/93

Events for this season:

9th September (Sun) Family Barbeque(see Paul Carter)

5th October (Fri) Quiz Night (see Helen Foggitt)

2nd November (Fri) President's Evening (see Paul H Whatmuff)

8th November (Thu) Annual Club Dinner (see Marc Lawrence)

10th November (Sat) Ladies' Day (see Barbara Pile)

22nd November (Thu)Christmas Fayre (see Sue Henry)

16th December (Sun) Zebras' Christmas Party (see Paul Carter)

31st December (Mon) New Year's Eve (see Pete Longstaffe)

29th February (Fri) Salsa Evening (see Helen Foggitt)

Sportsman's Dinner in March 2008 - date to be advised)

4th May (Sunday) Family Barbeque (see Paul Carter)