IPSWICH RHINOS 2003/04 PLAYER PROFILES
(by Dan Garbutt)

CHRIS COATES
	DOB: 11/05/83
	POSITION: Prop
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (League) Crofton Cougars RLFC, Westgate Redoubt RLFC, Wakefield Trinity Academy and youth
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: The phrase "northern monkey" could have been designed for Coatsey. He's a proper northern man who really loves his gravy I tell thee! Coatsey is one of the few lads within the club who has played since he was a kid and his knowledge of the game and experience are a real asset to him and the club. A big and strong runner, Coatsey will cause trouble for most defences in the conference. Coatsey's passion for the game of rugby league also knows no bounds as shown by his often expressive and always loud comments when on the sidelines. Any member of the Rhinos will testify that Coatsey's extravagant reactions to some refereeing decisions could quite easily give him a hernia. Recruited after the start of the 2003 season using the classic method of "you're wearing a league top, fancy a game?", Coatsey forced his way into the squad but it would be fair to say didn't get as much game time as he would have liked. With a full season ahead of him however it would be hard to deny that he'll figure significantly in 2004.

ADAM COOK
	DOB: 27/05/85
	POSITION: Second Row, Hooker, Centre, Wing
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (League) London Broncos Academy (Union) Colchester RFC, University of Brighton RFC
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: Put quite simply, Cookie is the worst dancer in the club and really earns his nickname of Legoman from the stiff armed thrashing about we've come to expect from him. He more than makes up for it on the pitch where he is one of a crop of talented young Rhinos coming through the club. He is the ultimate utility player and it is a mark of his ability that he can slot into any of these positions easily. Cookie is one of two young players to have been picked up by the London Broncos academy in 2003 and has learnt a lot from them coming back an even better player. It is a mark of his commitment to the club that he chose to make himself unavailable for the Broncos to help with the Rhinos play off run in 2003. Adam really came into his own in the latter part of 2003 with some memorable performances, particularly against West London where he scored two tries of real quality. Hopefully going off to university and living in a house full of girls may have improved his dancing.

BRENDAN COOK
	DOB: 21/09/83
	POSITION: Loose Forward
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Colchester RFC, Clifton RFC, Bristol RFC Academy
	HONOURS: RLC Young player of the year nominee 2002, Eastern division 2003
	BIOGRAPHY: It would be fair to say that Brendan is a quiet man, he doesn't say much but tends to do his talking on the pitch where his massive work rate in both defence and attack are vital to the team. In 2002 this contribution was recognised with his nomination as RLC young player of the year and he has deserved this accolade in 2003 with a very strong season. Brendan's contribution to training is second to none as is his effort on the pitch. Despite being a student in Bristol, Brendan still manages to make himself available for early season games and he has the undoubted honour of being the best nightclub dancer in the Cook family but that really doesn't say much if you've ever seen his brother Adam dance.

PATRICK DUFFY
	DOB: 08/11/81
	POSITION: Second Row, Prop
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Colchester RFC
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: Duffy, or Duffman as he's otherwise known, had a very successful first season in Rugby League in 2003 and got better and better throughout the summer. His strong, athletic running and high work rate are entirely at odds to his smoking habits and he never fails to cause any opposition problems. Duffy is a legendary handy man at home where he lives with Rhinos centre Mike Fields and typical of most forwards his language is absolutely atrocious. Was particularly impressed with Simmsy's blister antics at the Rhinos 2003 dinner but not overly impressed with the dessert, the name of which he couldn't even pronounce.

MIKE FIELDS
	DOB: 14/11/81
	POSITION: Centre
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Colchester RFC
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: Another debutant to the game in 2003, Fieldsy has taken to league like the proverbial duck to water. His top try scorer battle with Dave West was a point of interest at the Rhinos all season and despite being beaten into second place Fieldsy still managed to cross the line in every game he played in up to the semi-final. Fieldsy's ability to break a tackle is his greatest asset and he also has the pace to back it up……….well over 20 metres anyway. Fieldsy also achieves the distinction of never letting his distinctive hair style be affected by play, if any opposition are reading this even if you can't tackle him at least try to mess up the hair.

STEVE GLEESON
	DOB: 24/07/78
	POSITION: Second Row
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Braintree RFC, Bishop Stortford RFC, Melbourne RFC, (Aus), Parramatta RFC (Aus). Essex, Eastern Counties.
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: Steve has been involved with the Rhinos for a number of years and continues to put in 100% for the club at every opportunity. He may play for Braintree at union we don't hold that against him (well all apart from the Mersea lads). Despite not being our biggest forward Steve's aggressive and incisive runs always get the team going forward in attack and his pace has troubled many would be defenders. His defence is always strong and he puts in some big and decisive tackles at every opportunity. His main asset would probably be that unlike many of us fat b*****d forwards (well me at least) Steve is fit enough to play like a dynamo in attack and always get back a good ten in defence. Unfortunately for Steve and, Braintree RFC, he broke his leg at the beginning of the 2003-04 union season but Steve hopes he'll be able to figure for Braintree towards the end of the season and be fit and raring for the Rhinos in the 2004 season.

MATT HARWOOD
	DOB: 14/07/79
	POSITION: Centre, Wing, Second Row
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Colchester RFC, Clacton RFC
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: Anyone who's played League will tell you what a hard and punishing game it is. Most players will see Sara in the physio room on a training night to get those little aches and pains sorted out but not Matt as he goes out with a physio, the lucky git. Matt played in the centre, on the wing and at second row in 2003 and it is a measure of his ability that he can slot into any of these positions with ease. He is big, strong and fast and is always guaranteed to make an impact. Matt has really enjoyed his first year playing league and says that he can't wait to get back to it in 2004. By that point he may have got round to tidying his car which is a bit of a tip. So much so in fact that Duffy managed to write Rhinos in the dust on his dashboard halfway through the year and it's still there.

STEVE HAYCOCK
	DOB: 15/10/71
	POSITION: Second Row, Loose Forward
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) De Montfort University (Bedford), Mersea Island RFC, Camborne RFC, (League) De Montfort University (Bedford)
	HONOURS: (Union) Malta
	BIOGRAPHY: Let's face it, Maltese Rugby Union international Steve Haycock is as old as the hills. In fact in his job as a PE teacher, Steve has even taught a number of the other Rhinos and as he would see it he continues to teach them on the rugby pitch every week. Steve makes a massive contribution to the team every time he plays with his surging runs and fantastic defence. Steve first played league at university where he received a call up to the southern universities squad for the final England Students trial. There is a suggestion that he may have made the squad had he not gone out and got pissed the night before the trial. You'd have thought this action would have helped his selection for a students team but apparently the England coach didn't see it that way. Steve's playing contribution and the fact that he always plays with a smile on his face has been a great asset for the club for a number of years.

DAVE HUSBAND
	DOB:
	POSITION: Centre
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Ipswich YM, Dorchester RFC
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: Dave arrived at the club this year and has settled into the club almost immediately. He's one of our forces players and despite being based away from the area for some time he still managed to get up to training…………from Yeovil!!!! Dave showed immediate promise in his first game in 2003 against St Ives Roosters in going over for a hat-trick with nearly his first 3 touches of the ball and his experience and ability continued to be a great asset from then on. Unfortunately a wrist injury sustained during the defeat against the Essex Eels (or so he tells us!!!!) cut into Dave's season but he recovered to put in a good performance against Bridgend Blue Bulls in the Harry Jepson Semi. Despite being injured for some weeks, Dave still kept a great interest in the club by making it along to support the team and he will certainly come back stronger in 2004.

PAUL LE MARQUAND
	DOB: 26/12/83
	POSITION: Full Back
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Mersea Island RFC, Colchester RFC
	HONOURS: Eastern Division 2003
	BIOGRAPHY: Paul has a French sounding surname and most of the time he may as well be speaking French as he is the hardest man to understand in the club. This is especially difficult with his gum-shield in, however those of you looking at his photo may question how effective his gum-shield actually is. Despite only being 19, Paul could be classed as an experienced player having been playing for the Rhinos since he was 16. He must be one of the safest men under the high ball in the whole league and has proved his worth in defence all season. Paul's massive hit against West London Sharks in the 2003 playoffs went down as the biggest tackle of the season and saved a certain try in a tight match. Paul's work rate in attack is also excellent and he's always there to help us knackered forwards out in putting in some good hit ups. Paul also loves a challenge as proved by some his larger conquests in Colchester nightclub "Club Valentino's".

PETER LE MARQUAND
	DOB: 09/12/79
	POSITION: Stand off
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (League) London Broncos Alliance (Union) Barking RFC, Mersea Island RFC, Colchester RFC, London Scottish RFC
	HONOURS: RLC Dream Team 2003, RLC Player of the Year Nominee 2003
	BIOGRAPHY: Pete has been with the club for a number of years and proved what an asset he is in 2003 by stepping into the role of player coach at late notice. Quite simply Pete makes an immeasurable contribution to the team as playmaker on the pitch, coach off the pitch and committee member behind the scenes. His pace, power and ability to bring out the best in those around him lead to him receiving both the player of the year and the player's player of the year in 2003. He was also selected for the RLC dream team being widely recognised as one of the best players in the league and hopefully representative honours will follow soon. His horrific taste in shirts, including the green silk monstrosity ripped off him on one night out, severely lets him down but this is more than made up for by his patented victory walk which never fails to amuse.

DAVE SIGNOR
	DOB: 23/03/81
	POSITION: Hooker, Scrumhalf
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (League) The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Griffith Black and Whites RLC (Aus), St Gregory's College (Aus)
	HONOURS: Army U23
	BIOGRAPHY: You may be thinking what would make an Aussie leave beautiful New South Wales to live in deepest darkest England………the Army. Bangers, as he is known, has been with the Rhinos since he arrived in this country and despite being based away has put in another strong season for the club. Unavailable for most of the early part of the season, Bangers more than made up for it in the run in posting the best average tackles per game out of anyone in the club and scoring a number of important tries. His running from dummy half and general lively game cause problems for most sides and his effort is second to none. Banger's achievements off the pitch have also included leading the Rhino's victory song, getting the whole team put up in a boarding school dormitory at the end of a night out and managing to get most of the club referring to the changing rooms as "the sheds". Bangers left, Bangers right, Bangers up the middle!!!

ALEX STRATTON-THOMSETT
	DOB: 05/10/81
	POSITION: Wing, Centre
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Mersea Island RFC, Colchester RFC
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: ST was yet another union boy that made his debut for the Rhinos in 2003 and was subsequently poached to play for Mersea by reprobates such as Adey Evans and the Lemarquands . Despite never playing the game before ST took to the pace and skills involved with league easily. Initially playing as a second row and centre, ST settled on his best position of wing and has never looked back. Despite the fact that he drives an overly flash sports car (I'm only bitter because I drive a Nissan Micra) ST is one of the hardest working and down to earth guys in the club and will never fail to make a difference in any game. His tackling is very solid, he has a high work rate in attack and is fantastic under the high ball, a skill that has got the Rhinos out of many a difficult situation. Just out of interest though ST what is with the teeth on the photo?

TANE TRAFFORD
	DOB: 18/10/79
	POSITION: Scrumhalf, club idiot
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (League) Hibicus Coast Raiders RLC (NZ) (Union) Colchester RFC, Silverdale RFC (NZ)
	HONOURS: Eastern Division 2003
	BIOGRAPHY: What is there that can be said about Tane Trafford that he hasn't already said himself. Tane's hyperactivity and load constant jabbering can be a pain in the arse on long coach journeys but he's always a great guy to have around both on and off the pitch. Tane has many sayings and catchphrases and can often be heard calling the rest of the team "teabags", accusing Chik Knox-Macaulay of being northern and loving gravy and shouting "Right side, strong side" with the likes of Dan Garbutt, Fieldsy and ST. On the pitch Tane's contribution is just as valuable to the team. Whether it be making reckless tackles on bigger guys or putting team mates through gaps, Tane always gives 100% for the Rhinos. He proved his worth all season culminating in a massive performance in the Harry Jepson Semi final. Playing opposite former Warrington half back Kevin Ellis, Tane received the plaudits for a great performance on the day.

DAVE WEST
	DOB: 09/01/85
	POSITION: Wing
	PREVIOUS CLUBS:
	HONOURS: RLC Dream Team nominee 2003, RLC Young Player of the Year nominee 2003
	BIOGRAPHY: Dave West is definitely the club pin up (admittedly that doesn't say much about the rest of us) and has been nicknamed Zoolander by a certain kiwi loud mouth as a result. This is Zooey's first year of League and to say he's been a success would be an understatement and he's made a great impact to the Rhinos. Top try scorer this year with 18 tries in 11 games, Zooey has the ability score from anywhere on the pitch. His swerve and change of pace have shown up many sides and has earned him praise and plaudits beyond the Rhinos. This has culminated in nominations for 2003 RLC young player of the year and also for the RLC dream team and led to his winning the club's young player of the year. Dave's off to uni but should be back in 2004 to continue what promises to be a bright career in League. Come on Zoolander, show us the Blue Steel!!!

ANDY WILSON
	DOB: 02/12/78
	POSITION: Prop
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (League) Portsmouth University RLFC (Union) Ipswich RUFC
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: Don't let Andy's gut deceive you, despite being one of the team chubsters he is in fact quick, very quick. Andy plays on the wing in union mainly because of this and due to the fact he's too much of a pussy to get involved in the rough stuff. It is to my eternal disappoint therefore that "the flying pig" as he is known by one particular person has taken it upon himself, along with Coatsey, to get fit and trim ready for 2004. Who am I going to stand next to in order to look slim in the changing rooms now? Andy's first taste of League, and in fact rugby in general, came at university where he joined the league side due to the fact that the union side didn't want him. Can't say I blame them but union's loss is league's gain as Andy has become a great league player. He is one of the longest serving Rhinos having joined the club in 1998. Andy's job in accountancy has left him wide open to the obvious role of club treasurer which he also performs rather ineptly. I play with Andy in union and his new slim line performances bode well for a successful 2004.

ANDY WINDRIDGE
	DOB:
	POSITION: Second Row, Prop
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Mersea Island RFC, Colchester RFC
	HONOURS:
	BIOGRAPHY: Windy is a tackling machine, simple as that! Recipient of the tackler of year this year, Windy gets through an unbelievable amount of work and is sorely missed if ever unavailable. This was shown in 2003 when he got himself concussed against St Ives Roosters away and the team greatly missed his defensive talents. His surging runs are always effective going forward as well. Windy's cheeky grin and inane chuckling are always welcomed in the dressing room and help to brighten up many a social……..when he's allowed out. Looking at his date of birth one or two people may be a little surprised to see the apparent receding hairline we think this may be due to excess thumbing of the top of his head.

SARA
	DOB: Rude to ask a lady her age
	POSITION: Club Physio
	PREVIOUS CLUBS: (Union) Mersea Island RFC Physio, Colchester RFC Physio
	HONOURS: Getting to rub my back every week obviously.
	BIOGRAPHY: Sara is our very own Shiatsu grand master and the answer to everyone's aches and pains. Sara has been the clubs physio for a year now and due to the rigors of summer rugby she's been very busy. To say that Sara has fitted in at the Rhinos would be an understatement as she has quickly become a big part of the club. Her shiatsu training means she gives a mean massage that has to be this props highlight of the week and I for one have taken up massive amounts of her time. Along with her sidekick Rita the physio team have made a massive contribution to life at the Rhinos and hopefully will do for a long time to come.