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Halfax RUFC - Craig's ready to help Halifax
EVERGREEN centre Craig Emmerson has pledged to help the new-look Halifax RUFC set-up at every possible opportunity.
While adding that he is unlikely to play on a regular basis, the 37-year-old former top-flight professional has agreed to turn out occasionally while offering to assist head coach John Henry when required.
Emmerson confirmed that he received a couple of offers to join other clubs, but has decided to maintain his involvement at Ovenden Park.
"I am not going anywhere else at this stage, I don't see the point," said Halifax-born Emmerson, who started his career at his hometown club before taking in spells at Morley, West Hartlepool, Harlequins, Leeds Tykes and Gloucester.
"I have said I will play when they need me and do a bit of coaching if they ask.
"I will also help out around the clubhouse generally.
"I would like to get involved with raising a Vets team and will probably help out with the junior section as well."
Emmerson was devastated when news broke that Halifax were pulling out of national league rugby and dropping down to Yorkshire Six - the lowest level of league rugby in the county.
And as one who has seen his fair share of good times at Ovenden Park, Emmerson is hoping that the decision marks the start of another bright era for the club.
"It is a massive drop and it cut me up big style," added Emmerson, who spent the majority of last season as coach Dave Harrison's assistant.
"There have been some fantastic times at Halifax - playing against Worcester in the cup at Ovenden Park and then winning at Twickenham in particular.
"But they really had no choice but to pull out of National Three.
"It was either drop down the leagues or drop out altogether and that would have been a tragedy."
Emmerson knows it will take a lot of hard work behind the scenes to make the new club a success and paid tribute to the work put in by long-serving club officials in the past.
"There has to be enough people willing to put the work in if Halifax are going to build," said Emmerson.
"There has been the likes of Grayham Smith, Chris Mellor, Mike Smith and Graham Allen who put so many man hours into the club.
"It will be a hard ask to fill those kind of shoes but that is what will need to happen.
"It is a new era and they are having to start from the bottom.
"I just hope it works. There is definitely a future there and the only way is up."
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
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