1871 Men Welcome Phil Smith as New Head Coach

Ealing Trailfinders 1871 RFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Phil Smith as Head Coach.

Phil is a hugely experienced, level three coach and has coached at international, divisional and county levels. He was DoR at Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds gaining promotion with both clubs. Phil has coached representative rugby for Middlesex senior men, England U17s and Northampton Academy. With an impressive track record of player development, cup success and promotions he brings a wealth of knowledge to the club.

Most recently he coached at Counties Level One guiding Beaconsfield to an unbeaten season gaining promotion to level 6 and is pleased to be able to take over the reins for recently promoted Ealing 1871 in its forthcoming campaign in Counties One Herts & Middlesex league.

Phil says “Ealing Trailfinders is a great club offering development pathways for men’s and women’s, professional and amateur, players of all abilities and ambitions. The facilities at Vallis Way are superb and I’m looking forward to meeting all and contributing to the success of the 1871 squad, continuing its league successes whilst maintaining its exciting brand of running rugby.” 

1st XV captain Lewis Steadman added “I am really excited to begin working with Phil and for the season to come. I want to take this chance to give a huge shout out to Eddie and Brathers who did a phenomenal job to step up so late in the day last pre-season as dual interim head coaches and to help guide us to promotion. I have full confidence that we should continue to go from strength to strength as a club as a whole with this new coaching structure.“

With recruitment in full swing and some new exciting additions already added to the squad, the first pre season session on July the 2nd promises to be the start of an exciting season at Vallis Way.