POCKLINGTON RUFC will have a new man in charge for the coming season following the selection of Mark Floyd as first team captain.

Prop forward Floyd, 33, who lives and works in Pocklington, was named as skipper at the club's annual general meeting last month and is already looking forward to the season.

"I feel really honoured to be chosen," he said. "I'm a Pock lad, and when I came to the club as a teenager I couldn't have dreamed that I would end up captaining the first team. I can't wait to get started."

Another change behind the scenes sees Tim Clappison take overall charge of the club's playing operations as rugby manager.

Clappison has wide experience as a player, coach and pundit across Yorkshire and now returns to a major management role at Percy Road where he was a record breaking skipper in the late 1980s.

He welcomed the appointment of the new captain, saying: "Floydy was very much the players' choice as skipper. He plays with total commitment and is sure to lead by example.

"If the players who voted for him give him the same backing in training and on the pitch, we shouldn't go far wrong."

Clappison added: "Of all the club's I've been associated with, Pocklington is without doubt the best proper rugby club for all round enjoyment, both on and off the field.

"My objective is to make the most of that foundation and club spirit, with more continuity from juniors to seniors."

"I think we've got a decent squad of players and some good young talent coming through. But I also think we need a few new faces, and newcomers of any standard will be made welcome."

The club's first pre-season get-together went well last Saturday. Almost 50 players, from teenagers to veterans, turned up for a breakfast run-out and to watch the British Lions.

Pocklington's 'Breakfast with the Lions' sessions will continue for the next two Saturdays, with training at 9am followed by the televised Australia versus British Lions tests at 10am.

Updated: 12:45 Thursday, July 05, 2001