Warrior Set!
Behind every great club is a great community, and at Myton Warriors there are no exceptions. Myton, based in North Hull, are one of the most formidable teams in the city, rightly fitting the "Warriors" epithet. Myton Warriors boasts very promising youth teams with A-Grade talent, and a dynamic First Team who play at the highest level of amateur rugby, The NCL Premier division. I caught up with 4 key individuals at Myton to discuss the nuts and bolts which keep this club going.
My first chat was with Chan Brigham, 28, who has been involved with Myton Warriors for around 6 years, and is currently the touchline manager for the under 18's squad.
1. Who would you say is the biggest wind-up at the club?
"One of the biggest Wind-ups is Darren Hoggard who coaches the A team and the 18s with John Hobman. One of Darren's favourite jokes is: 'Do you think London Wasps have a bee team?!"
2. Which Myton youth player do you think deserves to make it as a professional?
"I think Ben Bradshaw (under 18s) deserves to make it professionally as he is an amazing player, with brilliant work ethic and attitude!"
3. Which Volunteer at Myton do you think deserves a special mention?
"Julie Dunham deserves a special mention as she does everything she can for the club to keep it running! Julie is always there when you need her, without the time and effort she puts in, we wouldn't have a club!"
I also wanted to discuss the Warriors from a players point of view, so I spoke to First Team Player, Jordan Precious. Jordan has been with Myton for the past 6 years, he retired from Rugby aged 30 only to return 18 months later following a phone call from Coach Tony Spence. "I spoke to Tony about returning to gain some fitness. This only lasted one week and I was back in the thick of it!"
1. How can you describe Myton's success during your time at the club?
"Myton have gone from strength to strength under Tony Spence. I arrived at the club alongside Mark Spence and Steve Atkinson from Skirlaugh along with some other great signings. We made the grand final in 2012. However, straight after the final Myton lost a handful of players to retirement which created a huge dint in the squad. In 2013 we were relegated from the premier division which led us into a squad rebuilding process. After 2 years in division one, Tony steered Myton back to the premier division!"
2. Who is the hardest worker in the team?
"I would say the hardest worker off the field would have to be Nathan Slater. He has a strict diet and he attends the gym sometimes twice a day! On the field I will go for Jimmy Jennison, he puts his body on the line every game and gives 110%"
3. Who is the most addicted to Social Media?
"We have a couple of people who I would say are addicted to social media, One is Liam Garnett who loves a full-length selfie along with his right hand man Nathan Slater (Little & Large)"
4. Who is the biggest joker in the team?
"Ash James & Jimmy Jennison like a little prank. Liam Garnett is getting there but still only young and learning from the experienced ones!"
5. What impact does the chairman have on the club?
" Des Fox works tirelessly behind the scenes. Starting from cutting the grass to setting up pitches on match days. On top of this, he is constantly sending out messages and emails reminding people of up and coming events within the club. He always deserves a big round of applause every year for the effort he and his team put in to run the club! Without people like Des clubs do not function. I would also say Julie & Steve Dunham, Collet Fox and Jo Marraza deserve a mention and all the others involved who are a massive help to the club"
Next up is a chat with bubbly physio Kayeigh Fox! Kayleigh claims to have been involved at Myton "since the womb" and is the daughter of the Club Chairman Des Fox. When Kayleigh isn't busy with her Physio duties on the touchline, she spends her free time practicing the Haka, the Australian National Anthem and studying Cumbrian... Volcanoes.
1. Kayleigh, have you ever screwed up at the club and blamed it on someone else?
"Yes loads of times! but the most notable one was when I lost my dads keys and blamed it on Old Frank!"
"There was also a time when Alan Dunham was knocked out during a game, and I put a bandage around his head! Alan eventually came round wondering what the f*** was on his head, and I blamed it on Norman! (the other Physio)"
2. Why is Myton Warriors a good club for Grassroots Rugby?
"Myton is a family club and I hold Myton close to my heart. Myton is really involved in the community with teams starting from under 6's right up to the first team! It is also great to see kids of some of the players joining Myton and some of the players starting to coach too!"
3. What is your greatest Myton memory?
"My greatest Myton memory is when the New Zealand Airforce played at Craven Park. I was a mascot! They did the Haka and I hid behind the players because I was that scared! My second greatest memory was when we reached the NCL final (2012). I was really proud of the team, my dad was really emotional too!"
4. Which first team player would love his own Reality TV show?
"Nathan Slater! He's always making jokes and is the loudest on the bus!"
5. Where would you like to see Myton Warriors in 5 years time?
"Without a doubt: In Sydney playing the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a friendly!"
6. Which Junior player has impressed you the most?
"Quite a few Junior players have impressed me, my Nephew Liam Fox captains the under 13s. But I have also been impressed by Dan Precious who made his NCL debut at 16!"
7. Who would you say are Myton's biggesr rivals?
"Skirlaugh and Thatto Heath!!"
Lastly, I spoke to Chris Lloyd who is a testament to the extensive reach the Warriors have outside of Hull. Chris lives in New Zealand and first game to know the Warriors 11 years ago after meeting up with Lee James. "I had arranged to have Lee come and see us at the Te Atatu Roosters in New Zealand. I was in Australia a that time, so Lee came to Australia and we meet there at a Masters RL tournament. I have been a supporter of the Warriors from that day on, an I have hosted a couple of the lads on there travels"
1. How does Myton Warriors compare to the amateur rugby set up in New Zealand?
" From what i am led to believe it is rather similar! Both clubs run schoolboys as well as an Amateur 1st grade team. I also have the feeling Myton is VERY family orientated as are the Te Atatu Roosters here in NZ".
2. What are your best memories being involved with Myton Warriors?
"I guess the best moment for me, as an overseas supporter, has been when the lads made the championship final a few years ago! I like to hear about the lads who get to rep for the club. I also love wearing their supporters gear around town and have have people ask "WHAT TEAM IS THAT!?"
3. Why are international Rugby Tours important?
" I always say they are important because it gives the game another level of interest. I remember the 4 or 5 week tours where international teams would come and play provincial and club sides and the after match functions, meeting players and supporters from another country supporting their team. It also gives some an interest in traveling and supporting that they may never had. The idea of meeting my "Pommy" idols when i was a kid eventually lead me to play in the UK for a couple of years, best experience ever!"
And there you have it, A Warrior Set. An ambitious club with strong family values which influences us all, far and wide!
Thank you to all involved in the article.
Shawn Boatin.