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>22/04/2008 : Mick Potter leaves the Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons Head Coach Mick Potter has announced to Chairman Bernard Guasch and players during this morning training, his decision to do not accept another contract with the club. He will sign shortly with English club St Helens for the next 2 seasons, a club who beat him last year for the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final.
“ I am sad to leave the club but it is the best option for me and my family. I think we have done a great job with Catalans Dragons in 3 years and I just hope the club as a whole will still progress in the future. International Rugby League need a strong French national team, and French national team needs a strong Catalans Dragons team.” said Mick Potter.
“Despite the disappointment of his departure, I respect Mick’s choice. He must have done a great job with us to get a contract with such a prestigious club than St Helens and I think the whole club can be proud of that. I now hope he will be as motivated as before to reach the objectives of the club for 2008, which are the qualification for the Play off” said Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch.
Mick Potter arrived in Perpignan in March 2007 following Steve Deakin departure in December 2005. Recruited by former Catalans Director of Rugby David Waite, to become the first Head coach of a newly professional rugby league club, Mick brought from the start his strong Australian way of training, thinking and approaching the game.
After a difficult 1st season, the club finished 10th of the engage Super League table in 2007 but has reached Wembley for its first ever participation in a Challenge Cup Final. Played in front of a record crowd of 84 420 ( for a French club), this game has been a fantastic memory and promotion for french rugby league.
Catalans are now in the 3rd place of the 2008 engage Super League and play at home on Saturday against Castleford Tigers.
“ We have not played home for 4 weeks now and everyone look forward to the game. It is going to be a very important 80 minutes of rugby as we could be 2sd in case of victory. I just hope the players will overcome the events surrounding Mick decision” said Catalans Dragons General Manager Christophe levy.
“We are now researching a new Head coach for next season and we won’t rush our decision as we need to search globally both in England and Australia. We need someone who understand French rugby league as well as the high objectives of the club. I am very confident we will find someone seduced by our club, its young but successful history and the prospect to play with young French talents, in a new stadium and facilities, with such a fantastic fan base”. declared General Manager Christophe Levy
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