Fans favourite returns for Titans
Titans Rugby are pleased to announce that former fans favourite Mike Whitehead has agreed a return to Clifton Lane for the forthcoming 2012-13 Championship season.
Twenty-eight years-old Whitehead is a former club captain and is returning to the Titans in the role of player/coach. Mike is experienced at Championship level having spent 5 years previously at Clifton Lane where he made 117 league appearances, scoring 581 points, which sees him sat 3rd in the points list just 15 behind Ramiro Pez.
Mike made his Titans debut back in September 2005, with his finale coming against Coventry two years ago in May 2010. Since then Mike has had spells with Esher and Doncaster Knights.
Romford-born Whitehead is a former London Wasps and England U21 representative and he’s delighted to be linking back up with his former club, as he explains, “First of all I’m really glad to be back at Rotherham. I think everyone knows that I get on very well with Andre. We’ve always spoken regularly; even when I wasn’t at the club we’d still speak a couple of times a week. I left Rotherham just before Andre re-joined last time; otherwise I think that it may have been a different story.
“Andre’s brought me in as a player/coach, but I think the preference from everyone is I don’t think I’ll play that much. I see my role as implementing what Andre wants alongside obviously inputting my own ideas and plans. I may feature quite a bit in some of the pre-season games, but I don’t think throughout the season that Andre sees me as a starter in too many games.
“For me to be working as a coach under Andre is a massive advantage to me. I’m sure I’ll learn such a lot because he’s been coaching for a long time and he really knows what he’s doing.
“As you get that little bit older – and that’s not saying I am old – but you start to think about your future and I’d like to still have some involvement in the game. The way I played would always lend itself towards moving into coaching. I understand the majority, I understand game plans, how other teams play, how to shut those teams down or to play to your strengths, so I think it is a natural move that I progress into the coaching side of the game.
“I think this year with just the top 4 sides progressing, our ambition has to be in that top 4. Once you’ve attained that, we all know absolutely anything can happen from that point forward. Strong home form is vitally important and we know here at Clifton Lane that opposing teams don’t relish their visits.
“Without criticising any other team that I’ve played for, but when you have been at one club for 5 years and you know everybody and all the supporters, it does make one heck of a difference. I am so glad to be back, it didn’t feel right living in South Yorkshire and not to be playing for Rotherham.”
