Jackman jumps at Rangers role

MEET the new team. . . Saddleworth Rangers chairman Terry Flanagan (right) is all smiles after unveiling Emerson Jackman (left) as the club’s new coach, with Miles Greenwood (centre) as his assistant.

RUGBY:

EMERSON Jackman didn’t need asking twice to become the permanent coach of Saddleworth Rangers.

“The club is in my blood, so I jumped at the chance,” said the 38-year-old, who initially took charge of team affairs for the National Conference League interim season after the sudden departure of Martin Crompton.

Long-serving player Emerson picked up the reins after the former Oldham Bears captain and Blackpool Panthers coach stood down on the eve of his first game.

“It was a great idea that just didn’t work out,” explained Rangers

chairman Terry Flanagan on Crompton’s exit. “We couldn’t get the training schedule to work.

“Emerson stepped up from number two and did a good job.

“He has a strong appetite for it and we’re looking forward to an exciting year.”

Rangers through-and-through — he joined the Greenfield club as a teenager — Emerson has achieved a goal in his career.

“It has always been my ambition to coach the club after I had finished playing,” said Jackman, who represented Great Britain amateurs and spent a couple of seasons at Oldham Roughyeds.

“I suppose that goes for many players who have built up a strong connection with a club in any sport, and that’s what I wanted to do.

“I did the job on a temporary basis in the autumn, enjoyed it and then it was offered to me.”

Jackman, who also coached Rangers ‘A’ to third place in their league last season, can’t wait for the NCL summer campaign to get under way next spring.

He is excited by the challenges which lay ahead and expects his young squad, alongside a sprinkling of experienced heads such as Jimmy Rogers and Michael Coates, to make their presence felt in the top division.

The likes of scrum-half Josh Bradbury, full-back Ollie Kerr and centre Jack Connor, to name but three, are among the next generation of Rangers players ready to step up.

Emerson, who intends to carry on playing for Rangers in the Masters team, said: “The kids really stood up in the interim season and they are the future.

“It was a tough section, with a lot of good clubs from Yorkshire in it, but I was pleased at the way they performed.

“They are a good bunch and hopefully we can keep them together.”

There is a family feel to the new coaching regime as Emerson’s nephew, Miles Greenwood, is his right-hand man.

The 23-year-old played for Halifax last season in the Championship after stints at St Helens at Leigh.

Emerson said: “Miles coaches rugby league at Hopwood Hall Collge and I’m looking forward to tapping into his knowledge.

“He obviously sees a lot of good, young players, so it could be that we’ll take a look at a few.”