Bedford Blues bid farewell to eight players
Bedford Blues have announced they will be parting company with eight players following the club’s failure to win the Championship.
Currently there are eight members of the squad who will be leaving Goldington Road this week and all go with the best wishes of the Board of Directors, coaches and fans.
After four seasons with the Blues, prop Sam Walsh is heading off to pastures new as is fellow front row compatriot Nico Steenkamp. The Blues will also be bidding a fond farewell to three second row forwards in Sean Tomes, Sam Pailor and Billy Johnson.
In the backs, fly half Jamie Lennard has put pen to paper on a deal to take him back to Doncaster Knights where he played before joining Premiership outfit London Irish while wingers Handre Schmidt and Dave Vincent are also leaving the Blues this summer.
Speaking about the departures, Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: “We’ve enjoyed a fine season and everyone is disappointed to have fallen at the semi-final stage as we pushed for the Championship title.
“All of the players who are leaving us were an important part of the team that did so well this season but we have identified some areas that we need to change and unfortunately it means that we have to say goodbye to some familiar faces.
“On behalf of all the coaches, directors and the fans, I want to say a big thank you to all of the lads for their hard work and dedication during their time with us and we wish them all the best for the future.
“Looking ahead to next season I can confirm that we have identified four players who we are in negotiations with, 17 players have already re-signed, a couple more have agreed new deals in principle and we are waiting to hear back from a few more. All-in-all things are looking very bright for the 2012/13 campaign and we will have more news shortly.”
Comments