LUDLOW chairman Andy Wright insisted the surprising coaching review that led to Norman Stalker’s departure had been made “more important than ever” by the club’s title triumph.

Head coach Stalker left days after winning the Midlands Three West (North) crown by 10 points, claiming he had been asked to apply for his own position after the club had received an application from a player.

Having stated he did not consider there to be a position to apply for, Stalker was ruled out with Mikey Jones named as his replacement last week. Ex-Luctonians player Joe Doyle returns to the Linney to coach the backs.

Quizzed on how the switch came about, Wright told the Ludlow Advertiser: “The committee has agreed to have a review at the end of every season.

“If you’ve been promoted, it is more important than ever. We don’t want to be in a position where we go down again so we have to look at what we have and what we need to exist in a higher division.”

Asked whether it would be necessary for coaches to reapply for their posts at the end of future seasons, Wright said: “I wouldn’t say it is a reapplication process.

“We asked Norman to put forward a plan and he had in fact put forward plans for previous seasons. He declined to put forward a plan for the new season and we are where we are.”

Asked whether it had been a requirement for head coaches to put forward plans in the past, Wright replied: “I can’t tell you specifically whether that has been done in previous seasons, I am not in a position to know.

“I can say that the committee has agreed that it will happen in the future and Mikey Jones and Joe Doyle have been told that. I would have thought that would include a plan for the following season.”

Wright added that “the club and the players in particular are very happy with the decision” and that he had “heard no dissent at all” regarding the change.

On the new appointments, Wright said: “Mikey Jones has shown himself to be a very capable leader over the course of the past season and I am sure the lads will play for him.

“I am delighted we have Joe Doyle on board. He is a big favourite with the Ludlow crowd and the experience he brings from his time at Luctonians will add a great deal to our squad.

"It's a significant move for the club because Mikey's plans signal a move towards a rotational squad system and a much stronger second team, playing more fixtures next season.”

Meanwhile, Jones believes Ludlow can hit the ground running following their ascent to Midlands Two rugby.

"We have a really good group of lads and with a few additions we could push for a top-five finish,” he said.