Dave Radley here – thought I would just put a statement out to give my reasons for stepping down at Leigh East as I’ve seen the posts on forums etc. and thought it best to share this.

When I was asked to take over from Gary Grainey part way through last season it was an honour to be asked to take over at Leigh East. Leigh East has been a big part of my life now for over 22 years and to be asked to be Head Coach is a massive honour. I still appreciate being given that opportunity and thank Dave Coyle and the committee for having faith in me and Gary Grainey for bringing me in as assistant at the start of last season. When I first came in as assistant to help Gary I really wanted to try to build bridges at the club as it was no secret that a lot had gone on and needed sorting one way or another. However, that proved to fail for me and there was clearly a divide and again this was well documented throughout last year.

When I took over from Gary myself and Kip had every intention of trying to rebuild the club and try to bring back all the true east people that had sadly walked away. We set out a plan and series of events to not only rebuild on the field but off it as well. To name a few things we had the lads in the gym in pre-season, an open session over xmas and a launch night at the club, all of which we put on the forum and invited all people associated with the club to attend and/or reported on how these events went. The reason for this being that the key thing for me was transparency and it was clear that a lot of people used the forum for information on club events.

The preseason proved to be a success with the aid of Dan Weaving as conditioning coach and the return of Chris Snape to the coaching staff who I must add has been a massive help for me throughout my time as Head Coach. Player numbers went up massively and all signs pointed to a successful season ahead. However when we came to within a few weeks of the season player numbers started to drop dramatically which came as a surprise to me. This carried through into the season and hit us hard – it’s a simple fact that if lads don’t train you can’t possible work on making things right. As a coach I have to hold my hands up and say that it was under my leadership that lads started to drop off which I will take the blame if lads didn’t want to turn up.

I did try to make other changes in trying to recruit past players/new players but to no avail. The fact still remains that some players do not want to play for the club because of issues with people higher up than me at the club. That is not me criticising people at the club it is fact, they weren’t my battles. I was, in the main, stuck in the middle which at times was really tough given I had good mates either side of the ‘divide’. I did cite family and business commitments which is true but I was willing to work with this if I thought I could succeed and make a difference at the club. I did become frustrated at numbers and more frustrated that players would not come back due to fall outs with current committee. At this point I felt I could no longer make a difference so thought it was best to step down now early in the season to allow someone else to have half a chance to turn things round because my hands were tied which is explained above. If whoever takes over can break down these barriers this can only be a good thing. The current crop of lads I feel would benefit from the experience of some former players as they are a good bunch deep down and deserve better than the results that have been coming in.

I will give my honest opinion on the support I have received from the committee. They gave me the job first of all to which I was grateful especially considering I had coached mostly at junior level and only worked with Gary Grainey the one season. My plans throughout the preseason were supported and I was left to crack on with the job which was good. I did request support on matchdays as I wanted to raise the profile of the club and get matchdays buzzing again. I have to say this is an area that has not improved in my opinion. I did ask could I bring Keith Latham in to which I was told that this wouldn’t work due to past issues. I also asked could I bring in Keith for the Launch Night but was also told the same. This is not me putting myself on a ‘side’ and criticising anyone I am just being honest because I think people wanted to know my thoughts and version of events. The committee does work hard and have helped me. However I feel that the help of people that are tried and tested at open age level is now needed. I asked for Keith to be involved because I have a lot of respect for him and he has a proven track record. I realised that things had gone on in the past at the club but I thought surely this could be sorted and everyone could work together to drag the club back to where it should be. I don’t feel that this is going to be the case personally and it’s a crying shame. As I type this message in the back of my head I am thinking ‘am I taking sides, what will people think?’…this shouldn’t be the case as it should be one club and everyone should be pulling together not locking horns all the time.
The fact still remains that knowledgeable, experienced, passionate people both on and off the field are banging on the door and not being let in because of personal issues. The club will never move forward until this is sorted and I am 100% sure of that now. If I am wrong and the club can pick itself up without this help then good on them and I will be the first to applaud the people involved.

Dave

Good post Dave, confirming what most people thought that the problem lies with the arrogant, stubborn, blinkered committee. When are they going to realise that they are killing a once proud club.

Official club statement, (took 5 days to write)

RADLEY RESIGNS

It's with great regret that i have to announce the resignation of Dave Radley as Head Coach of the 1st team.
Dave spoke to myself on Saturday and said due to work commitments with his new business and the fact that he was finding it tough to spend time with his family that he could not commit to the head coaches role.
I would like to thank Dave for his efforts over the last two years of being involved with coaching and I am sure the club will be all the better for it.

Again thanks from all at Leigh East

Dave Coyle

Date added: 31/03/2014

A well thought out account by Dave Radley of where the club is now and what needs to be done. Spoken honestly from someone with only the future best interests of Leigh East at heart.

The committee can either take note and attempt to address or continue to ignore the many issues to the detriment of the club.

Its took them 5 days to release a statement of what we already know about, where's the statement telling the members what's happening going forward?

Loved being at East when my kids played there, even played in the odd masters game for them, back then it always seemed a good family fun environment, lead from the top, through the 1st team right down to the youngsters.

I don’t really know what’s going/gone on, but it sounds to me like its time for people (probably on both sides) to be big enough to put the past mistakes behind them, forgive and forget, kiss and make up, for the good of all.

As an 'outsider', I don't feel qualified in the least, to talk about any 'issues' at East.

However, also as an outsider, it is painfully obvious to me that a number of people should swallow pride, put their egos (we all have them) on one side and work together with a common aim - to restore Leigh East to their rightful position, at the top of 'amateur' RL in this country, alongside their neighbours at Leigh MR.

Come on guys, it's for the greater good of the name of Leigh East - and that is of far greater importance than anybody's individual 'issues', be they right or wrong.

A much improved performance to earn a draw against the visitors Kells today, finished 18 - 18, not a bad game and nice to see Saf and Muzza back in the red and black. Decent crowd on and nice to see some of the miners lads watching. New Leigh east forum: leigheastunofficial.freeforums.n ... eral-board

A much improved performance to earn a draw against the visitors Kells today, finished 18 - 18, not a bad game and nice to see Saf and Muzza back in the red and black. Decent crowd on and nice to see some of the miners lads watching. New Leigh east forum: leigheastunofficial.freeforums.n ... eral-board

Really happy to hear about the East result today it's a triumph for our community game.

Made up for everyone concerned particularly Haddy, Muzza and Saf.

What pleases me most is to hear the Miners lads were down watching East today, what a fantastic RL community we have. I know from speaking with Miners coaches they want a strong East and want the derby games so I hope this result can be the catalyst now and East can really kick on.

Well done East and also well done to Miners who beat another of our local sides who we've established great links with Culcheth Eagles, another shining example of community club spirt and a club on the up themselves.

It excites me the impact a successful Leigh Centurions can have on the whole town and the community game and it gives us the incentive we need to do all we can to help.

To two guys I've bags of times for who post hear Keith and Wez I'm made up for you lads today I know what it means to you all.

The atmosphere was buzzing today and I enjoyed the game, my services are always open to Leigh East if I am not required by The Centurions and The Miners.

'Video man' indeed Mr Latham 'Video consultant' PLEASE, you will have to work harder for that 50p I promised you .
Seriously Just glad to help out anytime.

All the community teams have an open line to Steve Openshaw and myself via the community club scheme.

Dave Radley had my number as do Allan Coleman and Paul Whitworth at the Miners and other reps of other clubs and I've no objection to you passing it over to Haddy or whoever is the head coach.

Any help or advice we can give we will gladly do so mate.

The solution to the East's ongoing problem has been shown to you Keith, they walk away if you turn up so get there as soon as you can. You have enough like minded people to support you and get the club out of the doldrums once the egos have slunk away.

I am just a parent of one of Leigh Easts junior players who has been playing for the last 7/8 years and I like many other parents have seen the club go downhill at all levels. I think Jim Hoffmann should hang his head in shame as should David Coyle and the rest off the committee.They have pressed the self distruct button and if they carry on it will be to late to stop it. I too believe in Karma. Good Luck Keith with your health and hope this does not make things worse for you.

Keith, you are one of the last people I know who would do the things Jim accused you of and anybody who knows you would concur with this.I can understand how upset you must be after all the time and effort you put in at the East and can only say at present your health and family are more important than anything and thats were you need to concentrate your time and energy.

Take care mate

Dave