The playing career of new Spalding RFC head coach Ben Williams could be over.
His appointment as replacement for Andy McMahon coincided with surgery on a knee, which – if he heeds the advice of medical staff – means his days at scrum-half/number 8 are numbered.
The 35-year-old Town stalwart said: “I’m gutted. It’s what I have been doing forever.
“But I could be at that point now where I need to grow old gracefully! Hopefully there will be an opportunity to play again in the future.
“But it’s hard being on the field when there are things you need to be doing off it as coach.
“I’ve played a lot of rugby and worked with a few coaches so I think I’ve got something to offer.
“Sometimes the simplest rugby is often the most effective and that’s what I’ll be trying to impress. I do want to change things because there’s no point us just carrying on as before.”
Williams sees Saturday as a key for the club.
The Midlands One East fixture with Kettering (2.15pm) heralds his first match in charge and will be part of a busy day at Memorial Field with a VPs’ lunch and junior matches.
Without a game last weekend, it gave Town the opportunity to regroup and form some objectives.
Skipper Ryan Chappell senses a good togetherness at the club and believes the first team will be fielding one of its strongest sides of the season on Saturday.
Tom Duerden returns from injury and Kev Childs is expected to feature again for the visit of third-placed Kettering.
