A popular coach at a Kent club has quit - after decades of services.

Medway Rugby Club stalwart Taff Gwilliam resigned last Tuesday at a meeting with the club’s senior playing squad.

With Medway bottom of Regional 1 South East, he feels now is the right time for change.

“After more than 30 years of serving the club - 1976-89 as a player and 2006-23 as a coach - and with more than 600 games under my belt, I feel the time is right for the 1st XV to have a fresh voice,” Gwilliam said.

“I believe the group needs re-invigorating.”

A statement from joint-chairmen Tracy Bullock and Jez Saxby said the executive committee are now working behind-the-scenes on recruitment plans while Medway RFC men first-team’s coaching and management team will oversee the rest of their season.

The statement also explained Gwilliam offered to continue coaching until the spring - an offer which has been declined, although he will still continue in his recruitment and sponsorship roles.

It read: “The executive committee are now working behind-the-scenes on recruitment plans, and will be advertising for a new coach immediately.

“On behalf of Medway RFC, we want to thank Taff for the last 16 years - for bringing Medway RFC [to] this point, for being instrumental in the success of the 1st XV and his part in the growth of the whole club.

“Retiring in 1989 from his playing career at Medway after 13 years, our distinguished former 1st XV captain, Taff Gwilliam, re-joined the club in 2006 as a coach when we were at the bottom of the Kent leagues.

“The ambition was to take us into National Rugby. At the end of last season, we achieved that.

“Huge congratulations to Taff for his part in the team at that time, for the vision and the commitment to deliver and fulfil that ambition.

“We know Taff has Medway RFC running through his veins and we are sure he will be a part of the club for many more years to come.

“He leaves an incredible legacy here - first as a player and now as a coach.

“Taff offered to continue coaching until the Spring. He understood if the club were to choose change now and, after much consideration, the decision was taken that Taff would step away as 1st XV coach now.

“The club has asked Taff to continue in his roles of recruitment and sponsorship for the rest of this, our club's 91st season.”

Back in 2006, the club rose out of Kent 3, winning their way through Kent 2, Kent 1, London 3 and London 2 (twice) and dealing with the Covid pandemic before winning promotion last season from London 1 South.

Last weekend, they narrowly lost 22-19 at second-placed Colchester and are due to host Tunbridge Wells this Saturday.

Anyone with any questions can email club president Mark Marriot at markseanmarriott@icloud.com.