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Tony’s Talk 9th July

Posted on the 11th July 2011 by Tony H

Howdy folks,

Well I’ve just finished my last night shift for a while and have the rest of the day to try and stay awake so I can get my body clock back to normal. I’m scheduled to train twice today so the routine hasn’t worked out too badly. On anther note I should hopefully be home on or around the 19th/20th of August (fingers crossed).

What is great to see is the amount of rotation and transition the Open age teams are going through, last years first team was nearly always the same with little changes here and there but with the likes of Gossy, Trigger and Sebber away and the influx of players that the coaching staff have brought in the club is definitely in a more advanced position than last season which is one of our clubs goals – improve and develop from year to year, it’s fantastic to see.

I have a lot of time to think out here, I think about the club a lot, the camaraderie, the brotherhood, the way the lads meet by slapping hands before training or before a game, the passion we show on the field and that winning mentality that has been drilled in to us by the likes of Joe, Gaz and Patrick and I can’t wait to be back in to that again, putting the hard graft in on a Wednesday and Friday not to mention the extra work all of the lads do during the week is all beneficial and a step in the right direction for the club – I particularly miss the Gary Campbell specials, slalom sprints, diagonal sprints and “Round both sets of sticks or you’ll go again!” – I miss it all!

The Junior RL looks to be coming along nicely as well, hopefully I’ll get a chance to work with some of the young and coming Demons when I get back, fair play to all the Junior coaches for taking on that responsibility, it’s by far the toughest type of coaching to do although Smith, Campbell and Wilson may not totally agree!

I haven’t spoke to our illustrious, mid life crisis ridden Chairman for a while, I miss his random text messages which always force me to ring him asking him what the hell he is on about! I’m sure I’ll catch up with him soon though, I did send him a video message the other week but I don’t think he is very computer literate as I haven’t seen it on the website yet!

I love getting Facebook messages from all the young lads; Scotty, Olly Cottle and Sam telling me how their training is going, I’m a Demon team player and anything I can do to make this club stronger, any advice I can give from my 20 years in the game (makes me sound old but I’m only 26!) I will do for as long as I can, good luck this weekend lads, give them hell, raise the roof and in the words of my good mate and a former Demon from New Zealand ‘Bring home a W’

Work hard, train hard, play harder.

Hetherington, out.

Team Mates is back!

Posted on the 14th April 2011 by Tony H

Team mates is back!  NorthamptonRL.co.uk caught up with young hooker Scotty Howkins to get the low down on his team mates….

What are you hoping to achieve this season personally with the Demons?

Personally I’d like to break through and establish my place in the first team in the absence of the great Chav

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Hopefully as a Barrister keeping Geoff and Magic out of jail on various offences.

Best Trainer?

I would say JC or Magic as they’re always putting in the hits and have a great work rate in t and p.

Quickest Player?

I would say Brothertons got the pace but I’ve seen Nathan streak past for a 50 yarder in the past!

Most Skilfull?

I think for skills it would have to go to Kie Fewster, he’s got all sorts in the locker.

Biggest Moaner?

Seeing as Garys excluded, probably me

Hard Man?

Undoubtedly Grant (Magic) Wond, because if I said otherwise he would set fire to my house

Best Dancer?

Close race this as I have experienced the infamous ” jump the carrie” with various demons, but it has to go to Johnny (Polish pin up boy) Jaznik with his Big K influenced “lunges”

Worst Dress Sense?

Got to be Bambi with illustrious collection of muscle vests

What sort of motorbike should Quirkey buy?

 Anything pricey and socially awkward to explain

And….

Who’s the longest in the shower?

Moose.  If he misses a tackle he could hit you over the head with it

Team Mates with Desmond Tutu

Posted on the 27th May 2011 by Andrew

What are you hoping to achieve this season personally with the Demons?

Personally to score more tries than Mike Hulme, he always scores lots of tries so would be nice to beat him. As a team Winning the Midlands Premier and qualifying for the National Premier Cup would be amazing! Lots to do beforehand though.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

On a beach (hopefully not Scarborough beach) with a fit missus and lots of money, Defo’s retired from ruggers!

Best Trainer?

This has to be between Ryhs and Freddy. Both are fit as a fiddle, always at training(ish) and smash everyone in fitness drills.

Quickest Player?

I’d have to say Reece Rance, he’s lightening quick. I don’t think he even knows the word ‘jog’! 

Most Skilfull?

Kie – with his ballerina-esque footwork its difficult to argue.

Biggest Moaner?Again Kie – he hates doing any kind of physical activity that isn’t playing a game (like the rest of us ‘senior’ players though!)

Most Potential?

Both wingers in little Frankie B and Reece are showing lots of potential. They’re quick, score tries and stop tries. Both have a good future ahead if they continue to progress at the rate they have.

Hard Man?

I’d like to say someone different but it’d have to be Grant, he’s a scary mo-fo when you catch him on a bad day. Although I think Predator (Martin) could do him with his reach advantage!

Best Dancer?

Cheggers hands down. The little ginger bugger has got some smooth moves; justice for having copper hair I suppose! 

Worst Dress Sense?

Has to coach Joe, he has a terrible eye for fashion and has the worst ‘Vegas’ shirt I have ever laid my eyes on! 

What sort of motorbike should Quirkey buy?

A peddle and pop! That guy will be a danger on the road.

Who’s the longest in the shower?

Not that I am that way inclined… but Moose (Carl) certainly lives up to the name!

Tony’s Talk February edition

Posted on the 2nd February 2011 by Tony H

Well folks, all good things have to come to an end and unfortunately, last Sunday Leeds Met were just a little bit too good for us. As gutting as it is I think all the lads will agree that Leeds are a very well structured and well drilled outfit but that we will take a lot more from that loss than we ever would from putting 60 or 70 points on a team, it will help us grow as players and to some extent as men, all the lads know what they need to work on for this season and I can tell you now that everyone is chomping at the bit to get into pre season on the 2nd of March and we will hit the ground running for the start of the season.

Speaking of the new season it’s going to be interesting to see what teams think of us in the Midlands Premier, my thoughts are that we will enter the competition with a high standing reputation from our previous success but we won’t be taking anything for granted and will have to work hard all season if we are to be in the mix by the business end of the season, I am informed by Joe that our pre season is going to be one of the toughest yet which will come as music to the ears of some of the boys I’m sure!

I just have to give a mention to Mr Smith and congratulate him on being picked for the Irish Wolfhounds to play against the USA Tomahawks this Summer, just goes to show that there is life in the old dog yet, maybe some extra participation in training may help you out there though Coach!

Whilst I’m mentioning people, it’s a common theme at Northampton at the moment with people going travelling etc and the next one on the band wagon is none other than the big dog himself; Trigger. Trig has always led by example on the pitch, as stated in his very own tribute on this website he will be a tough man to replace on the pitch and off it. I will always remember my first session with the Demons and aside from the Coaches talking to me, Trig was the first to learn my name, shake my hand and genuinely welcome me to the Club so this is my personal message to Trig, and I’m not too good with mushy stuff so I’ll just say thanks mate and all the best on your travels, you will be sorely missed!

Speaking of travelling, as some of you are aware I’ll be heading off for an all expenses paid 4 months holiday earlier than scheduled. Yes the powers that be have sentenced me to 4 months in Afghanistan as of 1st of May instead of the original plan which was August. This means I’ll miss the entire league season which I am absolutely devastated about, I wanted to be a part of this season which is shaping up to be a benchmark for us to hopefully get our place in National South in 2012. I’m gutted but these things happen in life and I’ll just have to get on with it – it also means I’ll have to work even harder to earn my place back which can only benefit the squad with regards to competition for places!

Right folks, that’s me signing off for another couple of weeks, hope you are all well and I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Stay safe, work hard, play harder.

- Tony