Shaun McFadyen has been appointed as Head Coach by Chelmsford Chieftains.

It was originally anticipated that the club would have a player coach with McFadyen as assistant/bench coach.

However, the Chieftains management team have been impressed with McFadyen's dedication and attitude both pre-season at the start of the season, and they have every confidence in his ability to do the job.

Karl Rogers, who has played more games for Chieftains that any other player (468) is set for a return to the club.

Rogers, who last season scored his 632nd point for Chieftains, tying Karl Goebel's total, has delayed his start to the season because of injury and work commitments.

Noth are now behind him and he is relishing his start under new coach Shaun McFadyen.

Rogers said: "I really can't wait to get started, now that things have settled down.

''I didn't enjoy last season even though we were successful and I wasn't on top of my game for several reasons.

''But now I'm back looking forward to working under Shaun and I'm determined to recapture my old form and help the club to another treble".

Chieftains newest defenceman, Karl Hopper, 20, from Hull broke his ankle in training last Thursday when he fell badly on the boards.

Hopper had made an impressive debut for Chieftains, netting his first goal and collecting the man-of-the-match award in Chieftains first match against Solihull a fortnight ago.

Initially it was felt that an operation would be required, but doctors were pleased with his first x-rays and put him in plaster.

They are optimistic that Hopper will be out of the cast within six weeks and that he will resume training within eight.

Meanwhile, Canadian Mike Camelon, who was due to join Chieftains this week, will not now be coming.

It would appear that the 'British' passport stamp he was in the process of securing because of his ancestry did not materialise, as, apparently, he was one generation away.

A Chieftains spokesman said: ''It is disappointing for us to find this out at such a late stage, but at least we found out before he arrived and were able to get the deal and his flight called off. We will obviously be seeking a replacement''.

Canadian Carl Greenhous has decided to leave the club and move to close neighbours Romford after a disagreement about money.

Greenhous, who was part of Chieftains treble winning side last year, was left out of the side to play Haringey at the weekend.

The club is disappointed by Greenhous's decision, but they were not in the position to offer him what he wanted.

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