Thirds

	Simon Redford Prop / Second Row
	Simon is know by all and sundry as Fester on account of his striking similarity to the charatcter in the Adams family! Fester is known for wearing flamboyant clothes when the opportunity arises. He is always easy to spot on the pitch wearing his bright pink socks and boots. Fester is noted for playing for the opposition more often than he plays for Longton, so if you are from a visiting side, get ready to have him in your front row doing his best to make big Neil squeal. If you’re playing with him or against him and are feeling peckish on the pitch have a word, as he always has a supply of jelly babies in his pocket!

	Phil Redgate Prop
	Phil is known as the Honeymonster - and if you look at his photo you'll see why! He is new to the team this season having moved up from the colts. He's currently learning the dark arts of front row play from the masters in the 3rds. He's doing well so far and has even had a couple of matches for the 2nds.

	Alan Gidman Prop
	Alan is another new player this season learning the black art of the front row, doesn't get many opportunities to start due to the experienced older players in the thirds, Just needs to gain the experience and apply himself when the opportunities arise.

	Shane Dix Prop
	A bit like Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, Shane was born with a dreadful affliction. He is a fullback who was born into a prop's body! He can usually be found as far away from the ruck or maul as possible, loitering on the wing or under his own posts, waiting for a long kick to come his way. But he reads a game better than just about everyone else on the team and is usually in the right place to field the opposition's big kick when it does arrive!

	Ben Shutt Hooker
	Shutty, as we have too many Ben's in the team, has been with the 3rds for a couple of years, normally plays in the front row, but has appeared in the back row and centre when required. Has been out injured for long periods which has surely hampered he progress at Longton, destined for the 2's next season if he keeps fit.

	Alan Wain Hooker/Prop
	Seems old man Al, has been around for years playing for the 3rds and 4ths, with the odd game for the 2nds. Famed for been able to play anywhere along the front row, he is also a qualified ref, and has taken time out over the years to concentrate on improving his skills. Last seasons player of the year, Alan should also be congratulated on taking 10 weeks out this season to donate bone marrow.

	Neil Pickering Tighthead Prop
	Neil is one of the big match players for the Thirds. Well one of the big players anyway - as he's 6 foot 3 inches, and tips the scales at nearly 23 stone give or take the odd ounce! He's an Englishman who started pretending to be Welsh when they had a bit of a rugby revival in the early 90s, and changed his birth certificate from Stoke to Colwyn Bay soon after! Often you will see Neil seeking out genuine Welshmen in opposition teams as he tries to perfect the accent heard from the mouths of real boyos. Neil is an impressive scrummager and lifter in the lineout - when he's not feigning injury to have breather! He's still working on his match fitness and hopes to one day emulate his hero - Graham Price - in the loose. But with the big 50 and retirement just around the corner, he's going to have to be quick!!

	Gary Humphries Second Row
	Gaz is a solid, dependable second row/back row. He doesn't mind putting himself about on the pitch - just as long as the rheumatics don't start playing up! Due to the number of players called Gaz in the team he is somewhat unkindly referred to as "Old Gaz". In an effort to ensure he gets a better nickname for the new season, Gaz has taken on the Captaincy of the side, and will be looking for a bit more respect in the name department. Cap'n Gaz looks favourite for 2009/10.

	Gaz Edwards Second Row
	Gaz is vice-captain and one of the dependable players in the 3rds engine room. Gaz is a great mauler of the ball and a real master of the dark arts. He never fails to deploy the slipper in the scrum when required. But, like all good Welsh 2nd rows, he tries to get to the breakdown after everyone else has done all the hard work, and is usually seen wandering about the pitch from ruck to maul offering advice to players and referees alike. He's been coaching the 3rds for the last couple of seasons and has done a great job.

	Ben Evans Second Row
	You wouldn't know it from his photo, but Young Ben is one of the biggest players on the team. Still only 17, Ben isn't old enough yet to play in the front row, and so has been playing at lock forward for his first season in senior rugby. When he comes of age next season, Ben is certain to become a great Tight Head Prop, and will surely move up the ranks at the Club. He is poweful and aggresive in the loose - but just needs to learn to keep a lid on his aggression at times, and has already been on the wrong side of a few penalty decisions this season.

	James Sargeant Second Row
	Another youngster with limited starting opportunities, has had a few games for the 2nd team this year, needs to decide what position he will play next year when he reaches the legal age for drinking in the bar !

	Rich Hewitt Second Row
	FR (short for Fat Rich, which he's not as it happens!) has become more consistent in his workrate as a second row this season and is a great jumper in the linout. He has become one of the first names down on Fester's team sheet when available with his playing head on.

	Ben Walker No. 8
	Big Ben (although there's is now a bigger Ben on the team, but he's called Young Ben) is the cornerstone of the team. A real rumbustious number 8 who loves taking the game to the opposition. The only problem is that he's good enought to play for the 2nds regularly so Fester has a job on his hands to keep hold of him. Hopefully, Ben will stay with the 3rds next year as Captain, if/when Fester steps down.

	Rich Bailey No 8 / Flanker
	Without fail when players get up from a ruck, you will find Bailes at the bottom having slowed down the ball expertly. Over the years he has developed a supreme quizzical look that he deploys at every opportunity at referees who ping him for anything. He is one of the fittest players on the team and has an enthusiasm and stamina that defies his advanced years. Like a supreme racehorse he is so finely tuned that his body isn't ready for the fray until at least November each season!

	Carl Howson Scrum half / Winger


	Robert Krywckyj Fly Half / Full Back


	Gaz Bartlett Fly Half
	Gaz is creative stand off/centre who can be relied upon to put the opposition under pressure with some accurate kicking and secure the penalty or conversion points when on offer. He has a superb touch and can move the ball to within an inch of where he wants it to go. The only problem is that this ability lies solely in his size nine feet. He could be a great passer of the ball but as no-one has ever seen him pass, we just can't be sure!

	Jon Mathias Centre
	Jon is a big battling centre, from the Welsh valleys, he has played for the last few years with the Thirds team but for work commitments would surely have played in the seconds or firsts on a more frequent basis. Was the clubs top try scorer in 2009 season, but with working every other weekend has not had the same opportunities this season. There is a rumour he was seen buying a round in the club recently, the security videos are still being scanned and members interviewed but no confirmation yet.

	Henry Tremble Centre


	Chris Pike Winger
	One of the most improving players this year, always selected as the first choice winger, but often has to give way at half time due to the high number of players turing up each week for a game.

	Andy Quimby Winger
	Yet another youngster who started playing for the 3rds mid season, has played on the wing and in the odd line out, as well as helping out and playing for the opposition. Has gained in confidence, though he did miss that tackle when playing for Stafford and big Neil was charging down the wing towards him !

	Chris Harrison Winger
	Still fairly new to rugby, Chris has made a good impact on the team as probably the quickest player on the park. He has forged a great double act with Gaz B by getting on the end of some of the stand off's long kicks downfield and was the club's joint leading try scorer last season. He is still getting over the stick he got for not being able to play because his new tattoo was "a bit sore". Shame he didn't have a note from his Mum as well!

	Craig Brown Full Back / Centre / Wing
	Craig is one of the best tacklers on the team, and a great running fullback who can always be relied upon to put the opposition on the back foot. When not playing rugby, Craig tours with the X Factor show as a Rhiddian look-a-like!