Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club have today (Tuesday 12th January) announced that they have parted company with Head of Rugby, Ian Matthews.
Chairman of the Bees, Chris Loughran said, “It is with regret that we have decided to end Ian Matthews’ tenure as our Head of Rugby. With just four wins from 15 league games this season, our current position in National League 3 Midlands is neither in line with our expectation or ambitions. Although our recent performances have been much improved, the management team feel, on balance, that it is in the club’s best interests to have a parting of the ways now rather than to leave things as they currently stand.”
In the interim, the first team and development squad will be managed by existing resources within the club, with Backs’ Coach Lee Cassell working in conjunction with Club Captain Chris Goddard and Vice Captain Steve Johns. They will be supported by the current Performance team and wider Rugby Group. The club will then, in due course, revisit and put in place the appropriate structure and personnel to take things forward both on and off the pitch.
Chris Loughran added, “I would like to put on record our thanks to Ian for the hard work and energy that he has brought to the Bees since his arrival over the summer. As well as looking to push for promotion, his remit was to address a number of issues and challenges faced by the club and he has, throughout, demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment and determination. We wish him well for the future.”