Matty Smith will be on board to help First Team matters at Pilkington Recs…
2016 Grand Final winner Matty Smith has taken on a coaching role at National Conference League club, Pilkington Recs. The 29-year-old, who returns to St Helens in 2017 after five seasons at Wigan Warriors, played a crucial role in Wigan’s Old Trafford success last month, and will be giving back to the community game next season.
Kurt Haggerty, the former Leigh and Bradford star, was Head Coach at the Premier Division club last season, but will join the Toronto Wolfpack next year. ‘A’ Team coach Dave Archer also moves on, taking up a committee position at the Recs, meaning an overhaul of the coaching set-up for 2017.
Former players John Rees and Liam Bostock take over as joint Head Coaches, with Ste Edgerton staying on as assistant. Matty Smith won two Super League Grand Finals during his time at Wigan
But Smith, a Blackbrook product, will also be on board to help out with First Team matters. The A Team will continue to be coached by Paul Cresswell, with ex-player Paul Leyland replacing Dave Archer as a coach, while Neil Belshaw, who has worked at both St Helens and Widnes Vikings, comes on board as Director of Rugby for Youth and Junior.
Pre-season training starts on January 3, 7.30pm at Ruskin Drive (WA10 6RW). All past and any new players will be made welcome.