RUGBY: AN announcement on the new management set up at Tynedale Rugby Club is expected today.

Coach Tom Borthwick and chairman of rugby John Shotton resigned following the club‘s relegation from National League Division One last season.

The names of their successors to take the club forward into the future in North Division Two is awaited with eager anticipation by the Tynedale faithful, along with what the future relationship with Newcastle Falcons may be.

But acting chief executive Neil Foster is confident that the club faces a bright future over the next few years, despite the departure of classy winger Peter Weightman for high-flying Coventry, where he will rejoin another ex-Tynedale player Dan Rundle.

He said: ” Peter’s departure has been on the cards for some time; a planned move related to his ongoing studies and we wish him all the best and hope to welcome him back to Tynedale in the future.“

Foster confirmed that the club expected ”one or two“ other players to move but those details were yet to be finalised.”

But he went on: ”We have a number of new players confirmed as coming in to the club, a hugely positive reaction from many of the senior players to the changes we are implementing and a determination to revive the ethos that has been lacking from the club over recent seasons.

“We will measure success by the strength of our youth and colts sections, improved consistency in senior player participation and results in the exciting new 2nd XV Pilot League as well as from the performance of the first team in what we expect to be a competitive North Division Two.

“We are building for the long term with the ultimate aim of further promotion based on strength in depth throughout the club.“

When the season resumes, Tynedale will be renewing acquaintance with a lot of old rivals in the new division, including the likes of Preston Grasshoppers, Sedgley Park and Stourbridge, but there will be a lot of new grounds to visit too.

And as ever, the term “North” is something of a loose one, for Tynedale‘s travels will involve a 520-mile round trip to Leominster in Herefordshire to take on Luctonians, as well as lengthy trips to Stourbridge in the Black Country, and Broadstreet in Coventry.

The first home game will be on September 12, when Huddersfield are the visitors.