MIKE Ford has acknowledged the part Dukinfield RUFC played in his rise to the top in rugby union.
The rugby league legend cut his teeth as a coach in the 15-man game at Dukinfield where he spent five successful seasons.
The success Ford enjoyed near the foot of the rugby pyramid at Dukinfield, where he won three promotions and a cup in five memorable seasons, did not go unnoticed.
“It was quite a step up as I went straight from Dukinfield to becoming defence coach for Ireland,” he explained.
And that would be followed by spells as head coach at Saracens, Bath and Toulon along with being assistant coach at Leicester Tigers and a short spell in charge of Germany’s national team.
Yet Ford revealed it was only my chance he became head coach at Dukinfield.
He explained: “I was still playing at Castleford at the time but wanted to be a coach and was looking for a men’s team.
“Dukinfield wanted somebody to help with fitness and skills pre-season, so I went along twice a week.
“The club’s head coach had to take some time away from the game and never came back and I was asked to take charge.”
Ford soon became player-coach at Oldham, and he recalled the demands on his time.
He said: “Oldham would train on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and play games on Sunday while Dukinfield trained Tuesday and Thursday and their games were on Saturday.
“It was tough as I was involved in rugby seven days a week.”
Ford soon built a successful side and used his RL contacts to strengthen the side.
He explained: “I was given a little money to spend and brought in three RL players – John Henderson along with my brothers-in-laws Steven Mawdsley and Daryl Rogers – to play 10, 12 and 13 which were key positions while I learned the game.
“Later I brought in Graham Steadman who once was the world-record holder for a transfer fee when he moved from Featherstone to Castleford.”
Ford added it was also a completely different ethos dealing with amateur players – he had been a professional throughout his playing days.
He continued: “I soon realised I would never coach the way I was coached as a player.
“Yet they are probably more committed as they have family, works and any spare time was spent at rugby. I took my hat off to them.
“It had its challenges as I never got my starting 15 to train together. I would bring the players in early on matchday so we could run through the plays we would do in the game.”
Ford added when he took charge at Dukinfield he believes they were at level 13 out of 15 in the pyramid but, when he left, they were at level eight.
“We won three promotions while there were also a couple of rejigs of the system. It was a great time, and the guys did well.”
Committee member Dave Whitham was a 17-year-old when Ford handed him his debut.
He recalled Ford once turning out for the club while son George, who recently won the Premiership title with Leicester Tigers, used to attend games as a boy and would bring water on to the field for the players.
Mike ford was and is a fantastic coach. He certainly helped dukinfield rugby club to be a better team and probably gave them a winning mentality. I was fortunate enough to be a player who was coached by Mike ford and was lucky enough to see him and John , Steven, Daryl and Graham play. It’s good to see he appreciates the opportunity that dukinfield rugby club gave him. Rugby Union’s gain is rugby league’s loss.