Phantoms RFC seeking new recruits

Promotion is as a result of league restructuring and it has prompted a recruitment drive. Club captain David Yems (pictured) spoke to The Wharf about the challenge ahead.

He said: "It will be more competitive rugby next season, which is why we want more players. We'll be playing well established clubs and we really need strength in depth to cope with that.

"We had a great season last year, when we really hadn't expected anything, and we'd love more people to join us to help us take things forward. It doesn't matter what standard they are, as long as they are enthusiastic. And I can promise they will enjoy it."

Phantoms formed in 2000, made up largely by players from the Financial Ombudsman Service. They were attached to East London Rugby Club and spent eight years playing merit table rugby until becoming a fully-fledged club a year ago.

David, who works for the Financial Service Authority, only took up rugby seven years ago and he believes anyone can follow his example.

He said: "I started from scratch and now I'm the club's top scorer - even though I'm a prop forward - as well as captain and chairman. It shows what you can do."

Phantoms philosophy of enjoying the game on and off the pitch has attracted players from as far afield as Lithuania, Argentina and New Zealand. There is a healthy sprinkling of English talent too, and David is keen for more to get involved.

He said: "We've got a couple of local youngsters but we want more from the area. With so many overseas players who tend to travel around Europe at weekends we want more players who are able to commit to playing regularly."

Pre-season training is already underway, with the season starting on September 12.

David said: "We're playing touch rugby until the end of August and then we'll get down to the serious business. If playing in Essex Two isn't incentive enough to join, we'll be having a tour to Hamburg in the spring, which will be brilliant."

Anyone interested in joining Phantoms should contact Tony Quinn on 07931 381031 or email director@phantomsrfc.com.