Fylde RFC has announced that England Counties and Lancashire lock forward Paul Arnold (30) will be joining the Club on a two year contract. The totemic 2nd row giant has a great deal of Championship (level 2) experience at Orrell, Nottingham & Moseley after coming through the Sedgley Park youth system and making his senior debut for the North Manchester Club back in 2000. He made 78 appearances for Sedgley Park, 23 for Orrell (2004/5), 22 at Nottingham (2005/6) and 84 for Moseley (2006/9).
He moved back to his native North West and joined National Three (North) Caldy for the 2009/10 season at the end of which he finished the campaign as the division's top scorer with an extraordinary 27 league tries. This is a record for a forward in any of the national leagues. With Fylde's established flying star wingers Nick Royle and Oliver Brennand heading the N2N try scoring tables in recent seasons, the addition of Arnold promises a further burst of scoring but maybe from rather closer range!
Fylde Chairman Michael Brennand said: “This is not a short term arrangement. We are hoping that 'Arnie' will form the cornerstone of our pack for several years to come.”
There's rugby action at the Woodlands Memorial Ground tomorrow as Fylde host a 4 team tournament for the Ocean Hotal Challenge Cup. The tournament features teams from Leigh, Skipton and East Grindstead, as well as a Fylde XV. Games start at 2pm and admission is free but with a collection for Derian House children's hospice.
For more information about Fylde Rugby Club and the new season, visit www.fylderugby.co.uk
