The Clifton Park Pod: Recent Episodes
Tom 'TC' Copeland
Keep up to date with everything that is happening down at Clifton Park. We catch up with all the big names including coaching staff, committee members, volunteers and of course past and current players talking about their time in the green, black and white hoops.
The final episode of Season 2 sees Head Coach Lee Denham back in the pod to talk about the clubs first season in Premier North.
The lads talk about some of the key performances, players that have broken through, injuries, trips over the pennines and the final game of the season this weekend against Otley.
Lee also talks about the Three Bears Foundation that was set up by Mark and Chris Burn to raise awareness and funds in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The first team will be wearing specially designed shirts on Saturday and there will be an opportunity to purchase one after the game when they will be auctioned off.
Lee's first episode back in February 2021 when the country was deep in lockdown is still the most listened to episode and we hope you enjoy this one as much as the first.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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Former first team player and Team Manager, Chairman and President of the rugby club Jack Sinclair is joining TC for the penultimate episode of Series 2 of the Clifton Park Podcast.
As a player Jack played centre for the first team in the 70's before a lengthy stint as Team Manager in the early to mid 80's. His work as a cocoa buyer for Rowntrees then took him all over the world for several years before returning to the club to carry out stints as President and Chairman until Mark Gronnow took over in 2015.
Jack is one of only a handful of people to represent York first team rugby and cricket at Clifton Park and he was part of the successful 1975 cricket side to win the national club knockout under the captaincy of Clive Robinson.
We hope you enjoy this episode and just a slight warning - the sound quality is not quite as good as it normally is due to a poor internet connection on the day of recording.
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With the annual Minis Festival kicking off at Clifton Park on Sunday 27th March we catch up with several members of the junior section in this bitesize episode of the podcast. Joining TC in the pod this week is U15 Matt Bunter and U11's from the minis section Rueben McBride, Oscar Todd and Zach Bell. The boys are all very keen, enthusiastic and talk passionately about playing rugby at York and are a real credit to the club and the junior section.
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Sean Bass racked up hundreds of first team appearances as a skilful, hard tackling centre and in his later years had a successful stint as a coach.
Bassy joined the club in his early teens and played third team for a couple of seasons before establishing himself as a key player in the first team from the mid 1990's for around 15 years. After hanging up his boots Sean was asked to help out coaching the backs by the then first team coach Ken Higgins before taking over the role himself for 3 seasons. After stepping down and having a short period out of the game Bassy returned to rugby and coached neighbours Pocklington where they gained promotion in the North Premier league under his leadership.
There are very few people that have had the passion, commitment and drive that Sean has had over the years to make the club as successful as it could be whenever he was involved and I hope you enjoy listening to this episode with one of the clubs great characters.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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In the latest episode of the Clifton Park Podcast TC is joined by Kiwi legend Jon Sharpe.
Sharpy was an outstanding player who arrived at Clifton Park on a cold wet Tuesday night in the Autumn of 2002 when he was only 20 years old. Having had plans to play down in London for Saracens Academy things didn't quite go to plan and the opportunity to play a season at York came up. Sharpy immediately warmed to life at the club and he quickly established himself as a hardworking, talented and aggressive hooker. He was a natural leader and captained the club for two successful seasons before returning home to New Zealand in 2011.
Sharpy was a very popular figure in the club rooms and and his exploits off the field are on a par with his performances on it and he is still talked about by all that know him with very fond memories. It was great to catch up with him in on the pod and I hope you enjoy the episode as much as we did recording it.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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For the Christmas episode of the Clifton Park Podcast we welcome Rob Allen aka Smiler into the pod. Smiler has been a loyal servant to the club for over 30 years. Having started off playing in the colts he progressed through all the senior teams from 5th team to first team where he was a mainstay of the front row for well over a decade. Before hanging up his boots Smiler played for the might 3's for a number of seasons where his skills and experience were a key factor in the team going on several long unbeaten runs and picking up some silverware in the process.
Smiler has remained a supporter of the club and after his playing days were over he became a volunteer Match Day Manager.
As it's the Christmas episode and time for being social we've also invited along Joe Nasson to co-host the podcast. Joe played a lot of rugby with Smiler, drank lots of pints with him and more recently cycled many miles with him on a charity bike ride raising funds for Ovarian Cancer Research, a charity very close to the boys hearts.
We hope you enjoy the podcast and would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.
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Andy Gair is one of the most qualified rugby coaches in the country and in they year 2000 he was appointed Head Coach at Clifton Park after two successful spells coaching in the North East. He joined York just as the leagues were being restructured with York being placed in the very competitive North Division East 2. It was a testing time for the club on a number of fronts but Andy was instrumental in pulling together a hard working bunch of players and introduced ground breaking coaching techniques that developed them as rugby players and created a solid team spirit.
In his playing days Andy played for Newcastle before injury forced him to retire just before the game went professional. He stayed on at the club in a coaching role working with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Doddie Weir, Martin Corry, Peter Walton, Gareth Archer and Dean Ryan.
Andy is now working for Sheffield Hallam University as a Course Leader in Sports Coaching and Sports Development as well as being a Senior RFU Sports Educator and National Trainer, a role he has done for the past 24 years.
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In this latest episode TC is catching up with former Club Captain and Chairman Dave O'Byrne. Dave aka Dobbin captained the club for three seasons during the mid 1980's. He was an excellent back row forward who was committed, determined and always led from the front. Dave was brought up in West Yorkshire and prior to joining the club he played for Bradford & Bingley, or Bingley as they were known back then, and also had a spell at Cleckheaton before moving to York.
Dave's rugby career spanned an amazing 47 years of which almost three decades were played at York where he represented the club at the top level before dropping down the teams and became a regular tourist. He looks back on his time at Clifton Park with fond memories largely due to the many friendships he made during what was a very successful period for the club.
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Head of Communications Rob Long is in the pod this week. Rob has been a very loyal, hardworking and popular member of the clubs team of volunteers for over a decade. His work includes managing the club website, putting out news and announcements, compiling the programmes, taking photos at games and relieving spectators of their hard earned cash as they enter the ground on match day.
Rob talks to TC about growing up in York and being a season ticket holder at York City FC for over 50 years before losing faith in football and switching to being a rugby spectator at Clifton Park. Rob has been a member of the club since the early 1990's and his volunteering duties began after forging a long relationship with Alan Robertshaw. It was Big Al who convinced Rob to get involved and the rest they say is history!
Enjoy the podcast and please feel free to give Rob some feedback the next time you're handing over your admission fee!
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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TC catches up with one of his former team mates Nic Ventress. Nic was a product of the York RUFC junior section and one of the first people to progress all the way to the first team and become a key player at the club for over a decade. Whilst at University Nic played for Leicester Lions in National Division 2 and also had a stint at Northampton Saints Academy.
They talk about Nic's playing days at York, the coaches that had an influence on him, his friendly rivalry with his brother Craig, injuries and some of the big games he played a key part in during the mid 2000's. Nic is now settled living down in Essex with his wife and three children and working in the 'big smoke'. We're sure you will enjoy this lighthearted catch up with one the clubs most popular players from recent times.
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For the first episode of the new series TC has invited Carter Croft into the Clifton Park Pod studio. Carter has had a truly remarkable life prior to arriving at Clifton Park. His rugby playing and coaching career has taken him all over the world. After growing up in the market town of Kendal he has been involved in the game in 40 different countries in the past 50 years. He has coached national teams Switzerland and the USA Eagles and had stints in France coaching teams in the Top 14, Wellington Hurricanes in New Zealand and Queensland University in Brisbane to a name a few.
Carter talks about those experiences on the podcast as well as his career as a dentist and playing for Guys Hospital and captaining London Combined Hospitals with the likes of JPR Williams and several other internationals. Carter is a very well respected member of the clubs coaching team and is now the coach of the second team at York who are really reaping the benefit of his experience. This really is a fascinating interview with a man who does not do things by halves!
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For the final episode of Season 1 The Clifton Park Pod delves into the fascinating and ever expanding subject of sports psychology. TC is joined by Callum Wartley and JP Kerfoot who are two graduates about to embark on a masters degree in their chosen subject. Both Callum and JP have an interest in rugby and discuss various different scenarios where the use of the mind can play a part in gaining an advantage over the opponent at both an amateur and professional level.
Big thank you to club stalwart Drew Stephenson for helping out with the editing on this podcast. It’s worth mentioning that Drew has a new album out so go check it out on Apple, Spotify etc. It’s very good!
For all the latest York RUFC news and information go to www.yorkrufc.co.uk
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Ron McBride is the latest guest to join TC on the Clifton Park Podcast. Ron moved over from Northern Ireland in the mid 1970's having played a very good level of rugby in Belfast. He was club captain at York for three seasons in the mid to late 70's before serious injury put an end to his playing days. Ron's son Naithan, a very talented centre, then progressed through the club and Ron became president during that time for three years just as the game was going professional.
Ron talks about his time growing up in Northern Ireland and the rugby experiences he had both over there and at York in what is a fascinating and insightful podcast.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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TC catches up with the former player and club Chairman Leon Shouksmith. Leon joined the club in 1987 and played in every team throughout three decades as a player. In 2013 Leon was Chairman for two years before taking up an opportunity to move to New Zealand where he is now settled with his family and still playing!
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFCA big thank you goes out to Drew Stephenson for his editing skills and also to the podcast sponsors Autohorn Fleet Servies.
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Sponsors the Clifton Park Pod. Vehicle rental and fleet management services based in York
Former first team captain Mark Davies joins TC in the pod to talk about his time down at Clifton Park. Mark was an exceptional openside who captained the side to promotion in 93/94 when the team pipped Bridlington in the club's famous winner takes all game. They talk about what made that team so special and some of the characters playing back then. Mark also talks about what happened when he left the club which involved stints working and playing rugby in the Czech Republic, China, and Israel where he was almost called up to the national team!
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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Former Scotland, British Lions and York QSG player Scott Hastings joins TC in the pod to talk about his long and successful playing career and his association with the Clifton Park Club. They also discuss the vital work being carried out by the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation of which Scott is the Chairman. Doddie who was tragically struck down with MND in 2017 has also had a long association with York Rugby Club. In response to his diagnosis the club have helped raise thousands of pounds for the charity through the QSG dinner organised by Ricky Richardson and also the bike ride that Joe Nasson and TC did last year. The lads will be repeating a similar challenge this year up at Melrose. If you would like to make a donation please follow the link below.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joeandtomsdoddie5ride2021
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TC is joined by former captain and committee member Andy Kay who has dedicated over 20 years to playing rugby and cricket for the Clifton Park Club. They discuss Andy's memories of his rugby journey from school at St Peter's to his retirement from the game in 2015 - with a few cricket stories thrown in.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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TC welcomes Chairman and Honorary Life Member Mark Gronnow into the Pod. Mark talks about his move from Wales to the University of York and how he became a member of York Rugby Club back in 2002. They discuss his successful time captaining the mighty 3rd team and his transition to the committee as current Chairman. There is also a major announcement to listen out for!
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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Recorded at the end of lockdown 2 club stalwart Joe Nasson joins TC to talk about his lengthy playing career down at Clifton Park where he represented every team and is now a volunteer match day manager. They also talk about his rugby education in New Zealand and the charity bike ride he undertook with TC last year raising vital funds for The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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TC is joined by former successful first team captain and second row forward Chris Fox. They talk about his time playing in the green black and white hoops and discuss the last few seasons where Foxy has been an influential player in the engine room. They also look ahead to the coming season.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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In a St Patrick's Day special TC’s guest is popular Irishman and long-serving club Secretary Brian McClure. They talk about his time as a player in Ireland and moving over to York in the late 1970's. They also discuss the current set up and the challenges faced in running a club at this level.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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TC talks to former York number 10 and outstanding goal kicker Andy Brown about his very successful playing days at the club where he played over 350 games and amassed nearly 4000 points. They discuss the club's golden era of the early to mid 90's where they went on a successful Pilkington Cup run and clinched promotion in a winner takes all game at local rivals Bridlington.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
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TC catches up with Lee Denham and discusses his impressive career as a professional player and looks back at a very successful 5 year period as Head Coach at Clifton Park. They also preview the much-awaited 2021/22 season in North Premier.
Disclaimer - Please note the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of York RUFC
Autohorn Fleet Services
Sponsors the Clifton Park Pod. Vehicle rental and fleet management services based in York