It’s been a pleasure playing under Kinger and Stanners and I’d like to sincerely thank them on behalf of the players. I personally have learnt a lot from both of them. I’m also very much looking forward to a new challenge with Jake who has been a friend

- First XV Captain, Chad Crosby

James King has been with the club since the 2013-2014 season and as player-coach guided them to promotion from Gloucester Division 2 in his first season in charge at his second spell with the club. This same campaign heralded the club’s first Combination Cup Win in the Junior Cup.

The vastly experienced Phil Stanlake joined the club in 2016-2017 to assist King and bring direction and focus to the back division.

Both have a huge amount of experience of both playing and coaching. King arrived from Old Pats where he captained the very experienced side for a number of seasons and Stanlake coached at the very highest level – England U16 head coach for a decade.

Stepping down from his position was a hard decision for James but with a young family, he felt he wanted to spend more time with them. The club is hoping to persuade Phil to help us to integrate the new coaches so they can benefit from his wealth of experience. King played 124 games, 120 for the firsts, 2 for the seconds, 1 game for the thirds and 1 for the fourths. He scored an incredible 40 tries!

Vice-Chairman Paul Vidgen summed up King’s contribution:
“I’ve been around the game for a long time and there are only a handful of people I would honestly say that have the passion, determination and drive to do what he has done here. This club intends to pick up and forge ahead and become a force to be reckoned with, which will be in no small way as a result of the foundations he has laid.”

Stepping into those shoes will be Jake McMahon as Head Coach and Gavin Worrall as Attack Coach.

McMahon joins the club from local rivals Gordon League, but is no stranger to Cryptians. He had this to say:
"I'm really looking forward to my new role as Head Coach and being a part of a new club, atmosphere and challenges. Old Cryptians is a great, inclusive and friendly club that has a lot going on both on and off pitch. I hope I can slot in well as head coach and take the club to the next level. Since meeting up with the club they have been nothing but professional and very welcoming. I look forward to meeting up with the players before we start pre-season training on the 3rd July at 7pm."

Worrall has been a regular in the First XV since joining during the 2016-17 season. His familiarity with the squad and understanding of their playing ethos can only benefit all three senior sides:
“I have enjoyed playing rugby during the past two seasons at Old Cryptians - it is a fantastic club with a great social scene. I am looking forward to my new role as attack coach as we have some exceptional young talent and together I'm positive we will produce some exciting, attacking rugby. Jake and I have already agreed we want to encourage a fast and entertaining style.”

Current First XV Captain Chad Crosby is totally on board with the new appointments:
“It’s been a pleasure playing under Kinger and Stanners and I’d like to sincerely thank them on behalf of the players. I personally have learnt a lot from both of them. I’m also very much looking forward to a new challenge with Jake who has been a friend for many years. I know from meeting with Jake and Gav that they share the club’s ambitions and drive and I’m looking forward to what promises to be a successful year with the two new coaches at the helm.”

As one of the only clubs in the county running three senior sides on a Saturday afternoon, Old Cryptians believe they have something for everyone. They fielded 3 sides on no less than 12 Saturdays last term. The junior section is thriving with 10 different age-groups playing fixtures during 2017-18, so the pathway is there for young players to develop and transition into the senior section of the club. Of the 135 players who represented the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XVs last season, 44 came through the junior ranks.

Pre-season training starts at 1900pm on Tuesday 3rd July at the Memorial Ground. The new coaches are looking forward to welcoming back the current playing squad and any and all new players who might be looking to join the club, whether they are looking for a new challenge in a new environment, returning to rugby after a period out of the game, or indeed looking to take up the game for the first time.