Glenn Delaney column

By Glenn Delaney
Nottingham director of rugby

We haven't got to this stage by chance, it has been three years in the making

Well, 2008 has been a fantastic year for Nottingham Rugby and I have been both delighted and honoured to have been a part of something so special.

There have obviously been some low points, especially the announcement of the financial difficulties in November, but the club is moving forward rapidly both on and off the pitch and long may that continue.

One of the most pleasing aspects for me this year has been the way the players have developed.

At the start of the year we were on a good run and considered the surprise package of National One; now we have grown into a very mature top-of-the-table team.

After such a brilliant second half to the 2007/08 season, the important thing - and ultimately the most difficult proposition -was to follow that and prove we were not a flash in the pan.

We have definitely proved our case and it is very pleasing to know the players are still developing.

We haven't got to this stage by chance, either. It has been three years in the making and a lot of the players have been with the club for at least that period.

There is still a huge amount of growth to come from within, and the potential of what could be achieved in the next few years is very exciting.

High pressure

There are four games that stand out for me in 2008 - last season's wins against Cornish Pirates and Exeter at home typified how far we had come as a side in the year and the progression we had made.

This season, the games against Bedford and Leeds at Meadow Lane will go down as two of the greats.

Bedford were on a great run and it was a high-pressure occasion but we showed great belief in front of a big crowd.

Narrowly failing to beat relegated Premiership teams has been a theme of the year.

Northampton away will live long in the memory. We were 7-6 up at half-time but Joe Duffey was given a red card and in that instant the game was gone. The card was later rescinded but to play against that quality of opposition with only 14 men for a full 40 minutes was just beyond us - but it did show how close this team is as a group.

Tight knit unit

In terms of imposing our style of play, sadly the rule changes have meant that the forwards can't get as close on the pitch as we would perhaps like.

The loss of the maul from rugby due to experimental law changes is something that has undoubtedly meant a change of plan for us.

We scored a lot tries through the driven maul last year and although we have adapted well to the changes it does make me wonder how high up the league we might have been had we been able to drive teams over.

It hasn't stopped the club being such a tight-knit unit off the field, however. From players and staff down to the supporters, Nottingham Rugby is a very special place to be.

Another highlight is the growth of our academy system and the influx of young players into the 1st XV squad.

John Widdowson has done an outstanding job and we now have players who have grown up locally and are ready for the test of National One rugby.

The likes of Charlie Davies and Phil Eggleshaw have already made the step up and there are a lot more players identified within the academy structure.

Outside of Nottingham Rugby, I have had some wonderful moments in 2008. The birth of my daughter was a particular highlight and being asked to coach the Barbarians next April is something I am very proud of.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - 2008 has some wonderful memories but there are even more to be made in 2009. I have no doubt about that.