Trio plotting a rugby league resurgence as Scarborough Pirates plan to return in 2021

The coronavirus pandemic may have put things on hold temporarily - but rugby league is set to return to Scarborough as the Pirates aim to get back into action in 2021.
By Daniel Gregory
Published 11th Nov 2020, 12:39 BST
Updated 11th Nov 2020, 13:17 BST
From left, Alex Paddock, Liam Braithwaite and Tom Read are planning a return to action for The Scarborough Pirates in 2021. PICTURES: RICHARD PONTERFrom left, Alex Paddock, Liam Braithwaite and Tom Read are planning a return to action for The Scarborough Pirates in 2021. PICTURES: RICHARD PONTER
From left, Alex Paddock, Liam Braithwaite and Tom Read are planning a return to action for The Scarborough Pirates in 2021. PICTURES: RICHARD PONTER

The town’s rugby league club folded a couple of years ago due to a lack of players and people willing to get involved off the pitch.

However, a trio of Pirates players have plotted the club’s path back to action in 2021.

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Liam Braithwaite has been named as the club’s new player-coach, with Tom Read installed as chairman at the club’s recent AGM.

Zac Metcalfe will captain the side on the field with Alex Paddock named as vice captain.

Paddock, whose dad Keith was heavily involved as a player and also coach of the club before they folded, is delighted to be playing his part in bringing rugby league back to Scarborough.

“It’s great to be involved in bringing the club back,” said Paddock.

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“We’ve had great numbers at training, up to 30 at some sessions, which is the first time we’ve had interest like this for a long time.

“It was a shame when the club folded, there just wasn’t enough interest and players were dropping out regularly, but hopefully we can get things going again.

“I was playing at Beverley and Liam Braithwaite had another club too, but we were both fed up of the travel so we started a Pirates WhatsApp group and things went from there.”

The club’s revival has been temporarily halted by the second national lockdown, but Paddock is looking ahead to a big 2021 for the club as they look to return to action.

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He added: “We’re hoping to do our traditional New Year’s Day get-together at Cayton, government guidelines permitting.

“We’ve applied to the Yorkshire Men’s League, but everything is on hold at the moment due to the coronavirus.”

When the Pirates get back into action in 2021 they will be coached by Liam Braithwaite.

Braithwaite was elected at the club’s AGM. A club statement said: “We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new player coach Liam Braithwaite.

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“Liam lives and breathes rugby league in Scarborough and we are very excited to see how he can steer the team in this next chapter of the club’s history.

The Pirates also elected Zac Metcalfe as their new club captain.

The statement added: “We’d also like to introduce Zac Metcalfe as our club captain, another man that bleeds Scarborough Pirates, a true stalwart of the club coming through the ranks from the age of nine.

“Everyone is very excited to be led by these two men that will stand up with true grit and determination to make our club as successful as possible.”

DON'T MISS: Photo spotlight on the Pirates' return / https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/photo-focus-scarborough-pirates-prepare-big-return-2021-3032421

Related topics:Scarborough PiratesScarboroughZac MetcalfeAGMPirates