David Longstaff and Simon Leach
Whitley Warriors are delighted to announce that former GB international David Longstaff who has won over 100 caps for his country has been appointed as the clubs new player/coach. Longstaff began his career with Whitley back in 1989 when he first appeared for Warriors in a competitive match up in the old British League as a teenager.
David went onto have a hugely successful spell with Warriors during the early to mid nineties and was even able to tally over 100 points in a single season in the 1994/95 campaign when ’Lobby’ picked up a colossal 110 points in the 44 appearances he made for Whitley. During his time with the Warriors David was selected for the national team at under 18, under 20 and senior level.
David then went onto ice for a host of top clubs both in the UK such as the Sheffield Steelers, Newcastle Vipers and Guildford Flames as well as playing for some prestigious sides on the continent in both Sweden and Switzerland. He also had a hugely successful international career with Great Britain playing in numerous World Championships and Olympic qualifying campaigns during his lengthy playing career which has spanned 4 decades.
Warriors new player/coach shared his thoughts on returning to his home town club.
“I’d been with the Guildford Flames in the English Premier League for about the last 5 years and just felt it was time to move closer to home. I’m good friends with Simon Leach and when I was speaking to him he mentioned he was planning to step down as Warriors coach at the end of the 2014/15 season. Things went on from there really and I’m delighted to be coming back to Hillheads as the clubs new player/coach.
David then went onto speak about his coaching experience to date and his thoughts on the NIHL North set up.
“As far as coaching experience goes I was involved with the coaching for the GB national team when Tony Hand was Head Coach of the senior set up and I’m really looking forward to coaching the Warriors on a day to day basis. It’ll be a learning curve for me but over the next couple of weeks I’ll be speaking to a lot of players and we’ll go from there. “
“I saw Warriors play the Widnes Wild in the play off game at the end of last season and I’m really looking forward to working with the young players in the Whitley set up on a regular basis. There are lots of good up and coming players in NIHL North set up and I’m really looking forward to coaching my home town club.”
Whitley’s former coach Simon Leach who is now part of Warriors off ice operation offered his opinions on Warriors signing of David.
“The signing of David as our new player/coach is a great capture for the club. His career speaks for itself and all of our players will surely benefit from this. This is another fantastic stride the club has made and I am certainly looking forward to seeing David back in a Warriors Jersey. We have seen players sign for other NIHL North teams from higher leagues but none of David’s calibre and experience. This addition should send excitement right throughout the whole of NIHL North. David will bring his own style and fresh ideas to the table and this will give our players a chance to learn and benefit from one of the countries best ever performers.
“As a life long friend and on behalf of our club I would like to welcome David HOME and wish him all the success going forward. We now believe we have assembled a solid group of people all supporting each other to help change the clubs fortunes for the better.”
Warriors Team General Manager John Crammond also spoke about David’s return to Hillheads.
“Once we were made aware that David was available, with the total support of the rink management we have been able to secure David as our player/coach which is a massive accomplishment for the Whitley Warriors. I am absolutely thrilled that we have managed to get David back into a Warriors shirt.”
In the coming weeks fans should keep a close eye on Warriors website and the local press as announcements on the make up of Warriors playing roster for the 2015/16 season will be released as they occur.