Medway RFC head coach Taff Gwilliam has a new-look backroom team ready for the coming season - whenever that might be.

A new date for the competitive 2020/21 season is not yet known but when Medway do restart they’ll be returning to action without long-serving former player and forwards coach Graham Longstaff, following his retirement.

Longstaff, in his mid-60s, will remain on hand to advise but former first team prop Stephen Young has replaced him on the backroom team and there are other changes too.

Mike Melford, former Canterbry first team winger, has joined with a primary responsibility for strength and conditioning. Front row player Ross Cooley, who retired last season, has joined the second team coaching staff as forwards coach.

Gwilliam paid tribute to his long-term coaching partner, a man who has been with the club since the 70s.

“He has been a tremendous servant to the club and continues to be,” said Gwilliam.

“He felt the time was right for him to go after a number of successful seasons. He feels it is time to step aside for somebody else but we can still tap into his experience. He is available for us to approach and consult and we are very grateful for the efforts he has put in in rebuilding the club from 2006 on.”

There are changes in playing personnel too as Gwilliam looks to strengthen a team who finished fourth in London 1 South last season.

Fly-half Owen Church-Mills, a county under-20 player, arrives from Westcombe Park while another under-20 lad Henry Kenny arrives from Beckenham. He can play lock or six.

“We are pleased to have those,” said the coach, who can also call upon some talented youngsters that include Max Bullock, Cullen Daly and Zekiy Yesmilen, who has returned from university.

“These teenagers have come through the club’s development programme and together with the two new signings from Beckenham and Westcombe Park we have got a vibrant, young squad.”

The team, captained again by Tom Beaumont, will now look to build on a successful 2019/20 campaign when play resumes. That could come at the end of October but everyone is awaiting on an announcement from the RFU.

Gwilliam said: “We are just eager to get back to playing.

“Last year was a rebuilding season because we were decimated with injuries and we bloodied a lot of youngsters.

“We were delighted to finish fourth because it’s the weakest squad we have had for a few years because of injuries and we are very much looking to build on the experience gained by the youngsters in this coming campaign as and when we do start.”

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