PART TWO - FROM THE DUGOUT: “TURNING PROGRESS INTO ACHIEVEMENT”

After reflecting on Skirlaugh’s play-off exit and the progress made during the 2026 campaign, Head Coach Matt Danville turns his attention towards the young players emerging through the club, the development of a genuine Open Age pathway and the work required to turn promise into achievement in 2027.

Skirlaugh’s season may have ended at Keighley Albion, but the planning for the next campaign has already begun.

Following a year in which the First Team finished one point away from top spot in Yorkshire B and reached the promotion play-offs, Danville is clear about the next objective.

“Promotion is definitely the target,” he said.

“We have laid some good foundations, shown that we can compete and changed the level of expectation around the group.

“But we can’t talk about potential forever. At some stage, progress has to become achievement.

“We came close this year, but no cigar. Next year, we don’t want to be talking about how close we came—we want to take the next step.”

Young players making their mark

One of the most encouraging features of the season was the contribution of young players across the First Team and Academy.

Josh Smith finished the regular season as the conference’s leading points scorer, while Alfie Walker accepted significant responsibility during the campaign and continued to demonstrate his potential.

Off-season additions Keane Dearlove, Matty Shepherdson and Barney Fishwick also brought energy, toughness and further competition to the squad.

Danville believes those players are just part of a wider group capable of playing an important role in the club’s future.

“Josh deserves a lot of credit for finishing as the conference’s leading points scorer,” he said. “That level of consistency is a significant achievement.

“Alfie has taken on a lot of responsibility and has shown everyone the potential he has.

“Keane, Matty and Barney came into the group and added real energy and toughness. They have bought into what we are trying to build.

“We have also seen players such as Freddie Watts, Matty King, Tom Gray, Kieran Smith and Jack Taylor continuing to develop.

“There is a very bright group coming through the Academy and Under-18s, but we have to manage their progression properly.”

Strengthening the pathway

Danville believes one of the club’s biggest successes has been the improved connection between the Under-18s, Academy and First Team.

The Academy fulfilled every fixture during the season, fielded a high percentage of players developed within Skirlaugh’s own youth section and reached a cup final.

Danville praised Stuart Smith and Fletch for their work with the Academy and highlighted the importance of providing players with consistent opportunities.

“The Academy deserves enormous credit,” he said.

“They fulfilled every fixture, reached a cup final and did it with a large number of lads who have come through the Skirlaugh system.

“Stu and Fletch have put a huge amount of work into that team.

“It is not simply about the results. It is about keeping players involved, helping them develop and preparing them for the demands of First Team rugby.”

The relationship with the Under-18s also grew stronger as the season progressed.

Six members of the Under-18 squad joined First Team training during the play-offs, with several also gaining experience at Academy level.

“Credit has to go to Carl ‘Pucko’ Puckering and everyone involved with the Under-18s,” Danville added.

“They won their league and created another talented group of players who want to progress.

“Having six of those lads involved with our play-off training was really valuable. It gave them an understanding of the standards and intensity expected at Open Age level.

“The pathway cannot exist only on paper. Players must be able to experience it.

“They need to see a route from the Under-18s into the Academy and from the Academy into the First Team.”

Establishing the Skirlaugh way

For the pathway to succeed, Danville believes every team must share a recognisable set of standards.

That does not mean every coach must adopt exactly the same methods or tactical approach. Instead, it is about creating common expectations around work ethic, discipline and representing the club.

“We need better communication and alignment across the pathway,” he explained.

“There should be certain non-negotiable standards: work ethic, doing the fundamentals properly, discipline, accountability and playing for each other.

“That should become the Skirlaugh way.

“A player coming out of the Under-18s should understand what is expected when he steps into the Academy environment. An Academy player moving into the First Team should feel the same.

“We also want competition throughout the system.

“The Academy players should be pushing the First Team, while the Under-18s should be pushing for places in the Academy. That healthy competition raises the standard for everyone.”

Retention and recruitment

Discussions about retaining the core of the squad have already started, although Danville intends to give players a short period of breathing space after a long and physically demanding campaign.

The coaching staff will also assess where additional depth and competition are needed.

“We want to keep the core of this group together,” he said.

“There is a strong bond within the squad and we don’t want to lose the standards and togetherness that have been created.

“We also know that we need greater depth and competition.

“I’m not going to start publicly identifying particular positions, but we have seen what can happen when injuries arrive at an important stage of the season.

“You need a squad capable of dealing with those situations.”

Character will remain central to every recruitment decision.

“We want good players, but character comes first,” Danville explained.

“We need lads who are reliable, prepared to work, willing to buy into the group and understand what representing Skirlaugh means.

“There is no room for egos. The team has to come first.

“The players we bring in must strengthen the culture as well as the squad.”

Learning as a coaching team

Danville also reflected on his own development during the campaign and the value of the people around him.

He described assistant coach Tim Last as “rock solid” throughout the season and praised the cooperation between coaches across the different Open Age and youth teams.

“I have really enjoyed the season and I’m proud to be Head Coach of this club,” he said.

“You are always learning. I’ve learned from Tim, from Stu and Fletch, from Pucko and from the leadership groups within the playing squad.

“Tim has been rock solid. Having people around you who are honest, dependable and prepared to challenge ideas is hugely important.

“As a coach, you can never believe you have all the answers. You have to remain humble enough to listen and keep improving.”

The people behind the team

Danville was also keen to recognise the substantial amount of work undertaken away from matchday.

He thanked the players and coaching staff for the commitment shown at training every Tuesday and Thursday, together with the sacrifices made by their families.

He also acknowledged the work of Dennis, Norm and Phil; injury and rehabilitation therapist Chloe; statistician Finn Grannon; Chairman Ash; Steve Grannon; Dave Saltmer; Pete McWatt; and Colin Newton.

“The players and staff have given a huge amount throughout the year,” he said.

“People see what happens on a Saturday, but they don’t always see the Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the preparation or the sacrifices made around work and family commitments.

“Chloe has been brilliant with the injury and rehabilitation work, while Finn has given us valuable information through his statistics.

“Dennis, Norm, Phil, Ash, Steve, Dave, Pete and Colin are among the many people who give their time to keep everything moving.

“A rugby league club cannot function without those people.”

The support of the Ex-Players Association, sponsors and volunteers has also remained central to the club’s progress.

“Kev Stones deserves particular credit for a really successful first year with the Ex-Players Association,” Danville said.

“The volunteers who open the clubhouse, prepare the pitches, organise kits, raise funds and carry out all the unseen jobs are essential.

“The same is true of our sponsors. Their backing allows the teams to operate and gives the players opportunities to represent the club.”

A message for the supporters

Skirlaugh’s unbeaten home record during the regular season was one of the campaign’s standout achievements, and Danville believes the Eastside support was a major factor.

The backing also followed the team on the road, including during its National Cup run and the decisive closing weeks of the season.

“The support has been unbelievable,” he said.

“Our Eastside record belonged partly to the supporters because they helped create an atmosphere that made it a difficult place for opponents.

“They travelled to away games, supported us in the National Cup and backed the young lads coming into the team.

“My message is simple: keep coming with us.

“We want Eastside to remain a difficult place for every visiting team, and the connection between the players and supporters has a major part to play in that.”

The objective for 2027

Preparations for the new season will begin with a short period of recovery, followed by a full pre-season meeting and a clear programme for the entire Open Age section.

Danville wants Skirlaugh to return fitter, stronger, smarter and more consistent, without losing the togetherness which has driven the club forward.

“We have to retain the things which matter,” he said.

“We want players who work hard, enjoy their rugby and are proud to represent the badge.

“We must then add greater consistency, strengthen the squad, keep developing the pathway and learn how to win the biggest games.

“The foundations are there. We know we can compete, we have talented young players coming through and the standards are rising.

“Now it is about turning progress into achievement.”

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