Ford aiming to Bury all memories of sorry finish
JACOB Ford has overhauled his squad at Bury St Edmunds and says he’s determined to right the wrongs of last season.
Ford had secured backto-back record finishes for the Suffolk side in the National Leagues, but last season saw one of the pre-season dark horses finish in sixth place after a miserable second half of the campaign in which they lost eight in a row.
Ford, who has left his role at Ipswich School and moved to the market town to absorb himself in his position as head coach, told The Rugby Paper: “It’s good to have a positive change and settle into the area. I’m going to see how I go full-time with Bury. I’m pretty happy just doing that focusing my attention and giving everything to the job.
“Pre-season has been very different to previous years as there’s only nine lads that have stayed from last year and we have signed 18, with a couple on loan courtesy of our partnership with Doncaster Knights. It’s been a little bit disjointed at times but the talent and effort are there.
“We’ve got some good energy from university lads coming in, Henri Lavin and Ewan Guy in the back-row were both captains at their respected universities, so bring a lot of experience and leadership. Some good backs are coming into the team – Matt Riddington at 10 has good experience of playing in the National Leagues, Elliott McPhun is one of the standout nines in the league over the last couple of years and Aiden Shortall at full-back is an exciting one.”
Ford is looking for another fast start, having won three out of their first four last season, but says teams usually suffer from ring-rust at the start of a campaign.
He said: “What I’ve found in the past is the first couple of games feel like pre-season as everyone is still getting back into the swing of things and figuring each other out in terms of combinations. Everyone’s in a similar boat, but the most important thing is getting results early doors because you can’t win the league in September but you can certainly lose it.
“We have to make sure we compete very hard and find ways to get results.”
Barnes head coach Jack Heald predicted the four frontrunners in the division to be themselves, Dorking, Tonbridge Juddians and Bury, but Ford, who is the younger brother of England fly-half George, is throwing Canterbury into the mix.
“I think Tonbridge are going to be very strong from what I’ve seen,” added Ford. “Dorking and Barnes will be strong with similar squads to what they had last year.
“Those three teams will be up there competing and there’s a bit of unknown for the rest of the league but they’ll be a few surprises.
“I think Canterbury will be good this year, so looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. We must get our effort right and then see where that takes us.”
