Richie Hughes in action last season versus South Wales
Coventry Bears former skipper Richie Hughes has agreed a new contract and will be returning to the club this week. He will also take on some responsibility for coaching.
Hughes left the club at the end of 2016 to take up a new career as a prison officer and has prospered in his new job but has now decided to return at a crucial time in the season for the Bears.
Tom Tsang said of his return and spoke of the new role he will take;
"I am delighted to welcome back former first team captain Richie Hughes to the club effective immediately. Richie was our captain for the 2015 and 2016 seasons and was a big part of our success in that time.
Richie will take up dual role as player/ assistant coach, specifically working with our forwards and middle unit players
As a player Richie can slot in at either loose forward or hooker and combines a tough hardworking no-nonsense style with good skill in both passing and kicking.
He is a natural leader and by taking up a coaching role alongside playing, he is sure to have a big impact for us.
Richie Hughes in 2015
We have also taken this opportunity to restructure the coaching team with another former player and club captain Alex Brown taking up an assistant role, working specifically with the younger, less experienced players in the team and helping them develop into regular League One players.
Mark Sloan retains his existing assistant coach role but will now focus more on our play makers and outside backs.
We have unfortunately had to part ways with Jonny Tuson after 18 months of great service. Jonny was a very influential during our successful 2016 season and will be a huge loss and we wish him all the best for the future.
The new look coaching team will now start working on turning the current season around".
Richie commented on rejoining the club;
"When Tom rang me and asked me if I could get back on board with the Bears I knew straight away it was something I wanted to do. I look forward to being back in the environment and getting rid of the cobwebs. I am excited to link back up with some of the lads I've played with over the last 2 years and also the new talented lads added to the squad this season."
This week the Bears travel to Cumbria to play Whitehaven with a 3 pm kick off on Sunday. The next home game is versus Oxford on Good Friday at the Butts Park Arena at 3 pm.