End of an era as Edwards retires

It is the end of an era at Maidenhead Rugby Club after Simon Edwards, the club’s head coach, announced his retirement. 

Andy Barron, currently the backs coach, will take over the role, with Allan Greene continuing in his position as forwards coach.

Edwards, who is also the club’s chief executive, will continue to play a key role at the club but will have no more to do with
coaching.

He has been head coach of the 1st team since 1997, but feels the time is right to step  aside.
He said: “It was always planned that I would step down at the end of the season but I just feel now is the right time to hand it on.”

Edwards has had his hands full in recent months juggling his commitments to the South West under 18s  with life at Braywick.

Although his wife Sandra is now back at home, she has  been seriously ill in recent weeks and Edwards admitted that it had caused him to re-assess his life.

He added: “My divisional commitments have kept me away over Christmas and New Year and my wife, Sandra, has been in hospital over the last fortnight. She has been quite ill and it is a serious thing.

“I think it has made me re-focus on what’s important to me.”
He added: “I have done a lot of work for the club over the years but I think I have just lost the buzz for club coaching. And if I don’t have that then I am only cheating myself and the players.”