Two-time Siam skipper stands down

By Aaron Scoones

The new skipper looks on as Andy Bailey lifts the Siam at Foote’s Lane in May. (Picture by Serena Tremlett, 0574115)

GUERNSEY’S double winning Siam Cup captain Andy Bailey has stepped down from the role. The 27-year-old winger decided not to seek re-election at the rugby club’s AGM during the week.

‘I’ve done it for three years and the work involved is pretty immense,’ said Bailey (pictured). ‘It’s incredibly challenging and incredibly hard work, but there’s been some pretty amazing days as well. I’ve loved every minute of it but I’m looking forward to being a player again.’

There were jubilant scenes at Foote’s Lane back in May when under Bailey’s leadership Guernsey retained the Siam Cup. This was undoubtedly the highlight of his tenure.

‘My last game winning back-to-back to Siams for the first time since the 1960s was a pretty special moment and made all the hard work worthwhile,’ he said. The man replacing Bailey is Simon Sharrott who paid credit to the former skipper.

‘He’s done an amazing job over the three years and you can’t take anything away from that,’ said Sharrott.

‘But change is sometimes a good thing. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.’

The 25-year-old from Chester has been on the island for the last three years.

In that time the 5ft 9in, 17-stone prop has been a mainstay in Guernsey’s front row.

His rugby cv makes impressive reading having played for National One league outfit Rotherham Titans and Waterloo.

Sharrott said his and the team’s aim for the season ahead is to gain promotion out of London Three South-West, something which he believes they should have done last year.

‘It was on the achievable goals list for last season,’ he said.

‘It wasn’t down to the players’ ability - it was down to the players’ attitude. We’re going to get a strong mentality throughout the squad.

‘We definitely want to win the Siam again but we’ve got a lot of games ahead of that. Our goal is to get out of this league.

‘We’ve been in it for too many seasons. Yes we want to win the Siam but not getting out of this league is not good enough.’

Article posted on 12th July, 2008 - 9.30am

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