Bears announce leadership group

Head coach Tom Tsang and new Captain Simon Phillips

Bears announce Leadership

Tom Tsang and the Bears coaching team have announced that experienced Australian Simon Phillips will lead the Bears as captain in 2015. Phillips will be supported by a club leadership group of Alex Brown, Stephen Coleman, Matt Cooper and newcomer Richie Hughes. Phillips will be unveiled on Tuesday at a Kingstone Press star studded media launch in Manchester which will also see the launch of the Bears away strip for the season.

Tom Tsang commented on the Leaders:

"We have had a strong pre season so far and I feel we have recruited very well to prepare us for our first season in League One. As we have had to build what is essentially a brand new squad it has been very important to allow the squad dynamics to evolve naturally and we have seen a number of players emerge as potential leaders within the team - we believe selecting a leadership group will be the best method of getting the best out of this talented group .

Since arriving from Australia, Simon Phillips' has brought a valuable combination of experience, ability and understanding of the game. He is a very vocal player on the training field and has taken a lead in bringing on the younger members of the side.

Simon will be backed up by Coventry local, Alex Brown, as vice-captain. Alex has held a captain's role at the club for a number of years and is a much respected player in the group.

Richie Hughes, Steve Coleman and Matt Cooper have also made great strides in pre season and have been rewarded with extra responsibility as a result."

New captain Simon Phillips added: I feel very honored and privileged to be asked to lead the Bears around the park this season in what is to be there first professional season. We have worked really hard thus far and have so much enthusiasm coming from the younger blokes and I can't wait to get out there and get into it with them.