Who would have thought it – a Codhead being allowed to write a welcoming message in Torquay’s matchday programme.  ‘A Codhead’ for those not familiar with the comment is one that originates from that local town of Brixham - which the people of Torquay have a love hate relationship with (they love to hate them)! Therefore, I am truly honoured to have been asked to step in as coach for the club and hopefully prove a few die hards wrong in the fact that not all Brixham chaps are bad!

So what are my expectations? I am very passionate about my rugby, having spent the last 17 years involved with the Devon schools set up. I cut my cloth with spells at Brixham & Teignmouth - that spell included a perfect season in one of our promotion drives. I firmly believe rugby should be played with true spirit & adventure, with systems & structures in place that encourage a running game.

The club has been through a number of lean years, resulting in the disappointment of relegation last season and the departure of a number of influential senior players to other clubs locally. Although they are a great loss, our role is not to look back and ponder BUT to look forward and work with the players who remain to develop a squad whose ambition is to rise from the ashes in true phoenix style, striving to put the club back to the sort of level we should be aspiring to.

This is not going to be an easy process.  To say so would be disrespectful to the teams currently in this league - which is known to be very be difficult to escape (it took The TICS 3 years last time).  However, in my short time at the club I have been privileged to work with a very promising & exciting set of players with an emphasis on youth, which can only be good for the long term future of the club.

What I can promise is that we all are aspiring to do our best and in time this will show with our results both on & off the field; with people playing, watching and most importantly enjoying our beloved game of rugby. 

You never know, this could be the start of beautiful new things with the rugby relationship between Brixham & Torquay!

Here’s to a good season

Richard Burden - Head Coach