Huddersfield YMCA are hoping to give departing player-coach Mark Whitehead the perfect send-off.
Whitehead announced he will be leaving Laund Hill after Saturday’s final home National III North fixture of the season against Westoe to start a new life with girlfriend Edel in Ireland.
It will bring the curtain down on a highly-successful five seasons at the YMCA for the former Huddersfield RU forward.
But with physiotherapist Edel – the couple met when she was studying for her degree at the University Huddersfield 10 years ago – having been offered the chance to head-up a new shoulder department at a top sports clinic near her hometown of Dublin, Whitehead has agreed to make the move with her.
YMCA officials admit they’ll be losing a top coach and a top player, but can fully understand why he’s made the decision.
“On behalf of Huddersfield YMCA, I’d like to thank Mark for the fantastic job he has done over the years,” said YMCA director of rugby Damon Scholes, who has already begun the process to find Whitehead’s successor.
“Whoever takes over from him will have massive shoes to fill.
“Not only has he been a great head coach for us, he’s also been an outstanding player, and let’s hope we can really turn on the style for him this weekend and make sure we give him the perfect send-off.
“I know that’s what the lads will be looking to do, because of the respect they have for him.”
Whitehead has revealed the move has been on the cards for several months, but kept it under wraps so it wouldn’t prove a distraction to the squad.
And he’s delighted he’ll be leaving the club in such good shape.
“When I made the decision I was going to leave, my big hope was that the club would be in good shape when that time came,” said Whitehead, who told the players of his news at training earlier in the week.
“Fortunately, that’s going to be the case. The club secured their National III North status a few weeks ago, and the future is looking very positive.
“I’m sure my last game this weekend will prove a bit emotional, but I’ll also take a lot of pride in what I’ve been part of during my time here.
“When I first arrived here, we were playing in Yorkshire II and have just kept on getting stronger and stronger as a club.
“As a result, we’ll go into our final game against Westoe looking to secure a good win and gain the points that will guarantee us eighth place in our first season at the highest level the club have ever competed at. We couldn’t really have hoped for much more.
“But even though the club is riding the crest of a wave, I believe I’ve made the right decision to move to Ireland, although it has been one of the toughest choices I’ve ever had to make.
“Edel’s been given a fantastic opportunity at a world-class sports clinic and I’m looking forward to joining her, because she’s already been over there for a couple of months.
“I’ve also got offers to coach and play at a couple of rugby clubs over there, and because I work as a self-employed builder there should be some openings for me on that front as well.
“Because Dublin’s only a half-hour flight away I still intend to come back to the YMCA as often as I can, but right now all I can think about is signing off with a big win over Westoe.”
Huddersfield YMCA: Dyke, Hill, Moore, Bell, Housley, Whitehead, Hodge, Lumb; Wilson, Wood; Bulloch, Barber, Ryder, Stead; Fletcher. Subs: Watson, Wrafter, Robertson.
