Read ready for Scarborough Pirates' return to action

With the restrictions easing, and the Pirates returning to training, Read’s been impressed with the attitudes of the returning players.

He said: “Training’s been really good and we’re just starting to get back into the swing of things again.

“It’s always nice to see that the lads have kept up their own fitness and the standard doesn’t seem to have dropped and we’re gelling week on week.

“It’s exciting to see what’s going to come from this side in the future.”

The Pirates are still seeing a good number of players attending training and some players are even turning up before the start of training to keep practicing.

“It’s class to see lads turning up early and throwing the ball around before we get started with the sessions,” Read added.

“It’s all due to excitement and the lads are really keen to get going again and start playing matches in front of supporters.

“We’ve missed the support of the crowd and it really gives you a huge amount of pride to be playing in front of your own fans.”

Read and his team mates set out on a fundraising event to try and collect as many Easter eggs as they could and give them to NHS workers.

With it being a huge success, Read wanted to pass on his thanks to all those who contributed.

He said: “We said, from the moment the idea got brought up, we wanted to really show how appreciative we are with all the hard work the NHS has done for us.

“They’ve kept the public safe and we managed to get all of the lads buying into the plan and contributing with Easter eggs.

“We were getting messages from the public and people were dropping the eggs off which has been brilliant and we are so proud to have been a part of it.”