With every new season, at any club, there are incomings and outgoings, particularly where players are concerned.

As the new season approaches, one other notable departure from the Brods ‘family’ is Emma Cliff who, after 16 seasons…and almost 400 games, leaves her role as First Team Physiotherapist.

During this time, Emma has travelled thousands of miles, to all corners of the North of England, worked with six coaches, experienced cup success and promotions, as well as relegations, and has treated countless players - from bloodied noses, to dislocated shoulders, to serious breaks and spinal injuries.

Emma looks back on her time with the Club fondly. “It has been a massive part of mine, and the family’s life. We all have great memories. We have met, and been reacquainted with, some great people through the Club, many of whom are good friends. However, all good things must come to an end. The boys have known nothing other than their mum being on ‘Brods duty’ during the autumn and winter months and, after 16 years, I feel the time is right to step down.”

Emma’s sons, Benjamin and Toby, now 20 and 18, played for the Brods Juniors, until U15s, when their respective cricket commitments took priority. Benjamin was in fact a Yorkshire Cup winner with the exceptional U15s team in 2018.

Brods Rugby Chair Clive Harris passes on the club's appreciation by saying, "On behalf of all the players, which will be well in to the hundreds over the past 16 years, we'd like to say a massive thank you for everything you've done for us Emma. You've been an essential part of the team for so long and everyone at the Brods is so grateful for all the care and expertise you've given. We hope to continue to see you, perhaps more on this side of the pitch barriers, for Saturdays and Sundays to come".

At the Seniors' End of Season awards dinner back in May Emma was presented with the Chairman's Award for her outstanding service.

Emma now hands over the treatment couch and medical bag to Ruth Lawton, who, as sports therapist, has been working with the 2nd Team for a number of years.

Emma adds. “Ruth is the perfect successor. She knows the club…and the players, and is great at what she does. I wish her all the very best and I’ll certainly be around should she need support or advice at any time.”

Emma will continue to run her Physiotherapy and Sports Injury practice, CalderPhysio, in Brighouse, and won’t be disappearing for good. She concludes: “I will always be a Brod. Time-served. It is a fantastic Club and I wish everybody connected every success for the future. I won’t be a stranger!”