Clevedon RFC have announced Alex Giltrow will re-join as a player/coach next season.

 

Giltrow replaces Nick George at the helm, after the former head coach had to step down after securing a role with the Fire Service.

 

“A couple of weeks ago we announced that Georgey was leaving and that we would be looking at the coaching structure, during that review we thought that our young squad would really benefit from bringing in a player coach," Director of Rugby Tony Dauncey told the club’s website. 

 

“We spoke to a couple of people but once we realised that Gillie could be available it was a no brainer.

 

“Bringing Gillie in isn’t just about his ability on the pitch, hes a great bloke who’s proven himself every where he has been, I have worked with him before and he was clearly excited about the opportunity to transition into coaching”

 

Giltrow first played for the Seasiders in 2008, where he played a key role in the all-conquering under-17s team, coached by the late Tim Brooks and Dauncey.

 

He won the Somerset and Combination Cup as well as picking up the County Sevens Title.

 

After leaving for Nailsea, Giltrow returned to Clevedon in 2011, after he was convinced by Dauncey to return, and scored a hat-trick in Clevedon’s 42-23 win at Sidmouth to keep the Seasiders in Tribute Southwest 1 West in 2014. 

 

Recently Giltrow has been a regular for Clifton RFC, with his form gaining him International honours for England Students, and signed for Bristol Bears in 2017.

 

The following season saw Gillie return to Clifton and in 2022 he was named in the 2022 ND2 team of the year.

 

“We know our place as a club, we have a great youth set up that keeps producing quality players, some of those have a brief stay in the senior set up before playing rugby at a higher level and earning a few quid,” Dauncey added.

 

“We cant and don’t ever want to pay players but the hope is that these guys will return to the club to invest experience into the next batch of young players. 

 

“Currently we have Joe Willims, Pottsy (John Potts), Jack Williams and Georgey who have all played rugby away from Clevedon before coming back, but getting Gillie who is still young in front row years is a massive coup for the club.”