BIRMINGHAM and Solihull RFC hosted their end of season awards night with a special presentation for retiring coach Clive Chapman.
Chapman guided the Bees to a league and cup double as his side romped to the Midlands 5 West (South) title – winning 21 of 22 league matches.
And the club then lifted the North Midlands Vase with a 33-18 win against Aston Old Edwardians to finish the season in style.
The campaign also saw the club twice break their previous record points total in a single game as they put 115 on Redditch before then scoring 139 against Stone.
Head Coach Chapman departs the club after three years in the role for health and family reasons and was presented with a match ball signed by the squad and Performance Team along with some memorable photos from the season.
Club Chairman and Head of Senior Rugby Lou Lupoli said: “Clive has been instrumental in the re-build of the senior playing side of the club since we changed to an amateur team.
“He stepped up without question at a very uncertain time for us. He has helped to create a real traditional rugby club feel at Portway whilst at the same time overseeing a fantastic season with a league and cup double on our return to the RFU pyramid.
“He knows that he will always find a warm welcome at the club – ‘Once a Bee, always a Bee’. We wish him a long and fulfilling retirement.”
The search for a replacement has started and Lupoli would be delighted to hear from prospective candidates at: [email protected]
Chapman’s presentation came after the Players’ Player of the Year award was given to Lewis Edwards who was the club’s top points scorer over the course of the season with an impressive 283 points.
And Brad Sinclair was awarded Supporters’ Player of the Year with Jonny Higgins taking the Coaches’ Player of the Year award.
Tom Cain was the club’s top try scorer with 31 tries this season whilst Pete Gordon was named as Birmingham and Solihull’s Most Improved Player.
And the coveted Club Person of the Year award was handed to Tim Bennett.
Birmingham and Solihull will play in the Counties 3 Midlands West (South) league at Level 9 next season.
