Harry Sharman is no longer captain of struggling Spalding RFC.
Town are bottom of the Midlands One East table without a win.
The club said Sharman (28), who has not played a competitive match this season due to injury and suspension, offered to quit.
Neither Town nor the player is saying what led to last week’s change of club captain, but former coach Niall Thomson insists Sharman has been made a “scapegoat” and was pushed.
Thomson quit the club last summer due to work commitments after seeing Sharman lead the club to promotion via a play-off.
He said: “I am shocked, stunned but ultimately saddened by the forced resignation of Harry Sharman as skipper at Spalding RFC.
“Although distant from any direct involvement, I find it extremely disappointing that the committee has chosen to cast him aside and cast him as the scapegoat for the woes of the 1st XV this season.”
Following speculation about the development, the club was forced to issue a statement on its website on Sunday (below), with the precursor: “There has been a lot of social media activity over the last 24 hours with reference to Harry Sharman and Spalding Rugby Football Club.
“Please see below an accurate statement of events from the club.”
Sharman has been at the club since the age of 4 and was in his sixth year as captain. He twice led the club to promotion.
He declined to comment to The Voice on the situation.
And Kevin Wand, who posted the statement online on behalf of the club, declined to add anything further.
Ryan Chappell has been made club captain with immediate effect, and Sam Cooke is acting vice-captain until the end of the season.
Town statement: The club and committee reluctantly have accepted Harry Sharman’s resignation as club captain.
We wish to thank Harry for his exceptional period of service. We fully appreciate the great difficulty Harry has experienced in leading the club during very difficult times this season from the sidelines.
However, Harry has a record of success which is unrivalled in the history of Spalding rugby club and he will leave an enviable legacy.
Harry Sharman intends to return as a player at the end of December this year and we look forward to him making a tremendous impact and attempting to ensure our league survival this season.
Full Niall Thomson statement: I have to say I am shocked, stunned but ultimately saddened by the forced resignation of Harry Sharman as skipper at Spalding RFC .
Although distant from any direct involvement, I find it extremely disappointing that the committee has chosen to cast him aside and make him a scapegoat for the woes of the 1st XV this season.
Harry is the most loyal, committed, dedicated and selfless skipper of a rugby club I have ever come across in some 45 years of involvement in the sport.
A totemic figure on the pitch, an inspirational leader and quite brilliant player he won many games almost single-handedly; such is his humble nature he never sought or relished praise for himself but was the classic skipper – the squad received the credit when the side won and the skipper and coaches took the blame when we lost.
No shrinking violet on the paddock he played right on the very edge, as the best players do and he was particularly protective of the younger players in the squad.
In particular, I remember his paternal words of support for my two sons when they made their 1st XV debuts against a very strong Peterborough Lions side when they were aged 17 years and three days!
Two hard-earned promotions and strong showings in the Lincs Cup are just a couple of highlights of the four years I spent working alongside Harry.
Equally, his work off the pitch is another sign of how he embraced the club spirit – regularly helping out on a Sunday morning, either with coaching or words of advice to the very young children who looked up to him and revered his presence.
The ultimate clubman in every respect.
Whilst I am no longer privy to the internal machinations of the club, I find it beyond belief that this action has forced Harry to step down.
I count him as a close personal friend and SRFC will undoubtedly be a weaker side without his commanding presence.
