Chorley Buccaneers: History 2001

Monday, January 28
History 2001
2001 Junior Flag
teamphoto2
The Chorley Buccaneers started training every Saturday for an hour and a half on a car park, near Chorley Railway Station, as a 12s-14s flag team. The initial players who had started the club up disappeared and left, but a foundation was laid when the founder’s brother, James Mather, and former Wolverines player’s brother Jamie Willets, brought down a friend each, and the Buccaneers then had 4 committed players to work with, and two coaches, in Geoff Leigh and founder Paul Mather.

On the 17th of February 2001, the Buccaneers played their first ever game against future rivals the St. Peters Pumas, and narrowly lost 20-18. The 4 committed players managed to recruit another, and the team had 5 players, just enough for a game!

The players recruited more players and competed against the Pumas again and new team the Salford Storm, before sealing their first win of the year against the Wirral Hawks in June. The Buccaneers also recruited another coach, in 18-year old Ian Nicolson. The players also competed in the Channel Five tournament in October, with the highlights being shown on Channel Five the following week.

December saw the realisation of a dream, as the club successfully got awarded a £5,000 grant from the Awards For All scheme. The main aim of the money was to set up a kitted team for 2002.

2001 Junior Flag Roster
Players
David Mead
Dominik Gough
James Mather
Jamie Willets
Joe Eastham
Kevin Rushton
Nik Haywood
Oliver Whaite
Peter Simpson
Philip Somers
Richard English
Coaches
Geoff Leigh                Head Coach
Ian Nicolson                Assistant Coach
Paul Mather                Team Manager