A team of people who helped a rugby club in the Lake District 'rise from the ashes' have said a difficult goodbye.
Director of Rugby (DOR) Andrew Brown, head coach Matty Kaye, assistant coach Archie Barber and women's DOR Greta Kelly said their farewells to Ambleside RUFC earlier this month.
Their final hoorah was the club's returned mixed touch rugby tournament, which saw 50 people take to the pitch and more than £1000 raised towards pitch improvements for next season.
Andrew said: "Over the last three years, we have seen Ambleside RUFC be reborn and rise from the ashes to become a team unrecognisable from the one that almost folded in 2023.
"Apart from going from a poor social team to a highly respected and competitive team in Cumbria League One, the club has won 20 matches in two-and-a-half seasons."
The existing coaching team stepped down on May 11, four months before the start of the new season.
Matty commented: "Thanks to the efforts of everyone at the club. the pitch and floodlights have been massively improved, and the clubhouse has been completely renovated inside and out and is unrecognisable.
"The team is stronger than it has been for decades, playing some great attacking rugby."
The club was said to be in a 'very strong financial position' since Nathan Robson and Heather Hodgson took on the tenancy.
It is currently in the hands of long-standing Honorary Secretary Jeanette Irwin, chairman Neil Irwin, and a 'small but fully committed' number of executive committee members.
Archie added: "The reason we have stepped down now is that we have given the club everything over the last three years.
"But it's now the right time for someone else who loves the club, the village and rugby to take on the baton in order for the club to continue to go forward.
"By stepping down now, we have given Jeanette and Neil the chance to use the next four months to recruit a couple of people to take on the coaching roles."
The club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to be held at Galava Park on Monday, June 1 at 7pm.
Anyone who would like to be considered for a position at the club can ring Ex-DOR Andrew Brown on 07786 631456 or club manager Nathan Robson on 07950 699082.
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