Sam Beaumont has announced that he is stepping down from the captaincy of the Fylde 1st XV. He has started a new business venture and wants to focus solely on playing rather than carrying the additional responsibility of captaincy.

Head Coach Mark Nelson said:

“I'm very sorry that Sam is standing down from the 1st team captaincy. I wanted him to continue but totally understand his business reasons. I recognised his real leadership qualities when he toured with the Lancashire squad to Canada as a development player. Although he was a young and inexperienced member of the party, his conduct on and off the field really stood out. Sam took over from Roger Banks in 2009 and has been an exceptional leader throughout his tenure in the most prestigious role at Fylde Rugby Club. His qualities as a player inspire his team mates to follow his example and his astute understanding of the game made him very tactically aware on the field.

"Off the field he inspired his team and in my mind epitomises the Corinthian captain who is willing to stand up and be counted, leading his men from the front. Although he will no longer be skipper he is still a massive part of the 1st XV pack and will continue to play a major part as a senior player. Sam can look back on his captaincy with great pride having led the club to promotion and winning the Lancashire cup on two occasions. He has also represented England Counties, The Barbarians and Lancashire during this time.”

Sam Beaumont said: "It has been a very difficult decision to step down as Fylde captain. Having recently set up my own business, I am finding it increasingly difficult to fully commit to the position. The last three years have been a fantastic experience of some real highs and lows. In my first season  I captained the team to a record number of consecutive losses (8 I think), and we finished the lowest league position in the clubs history, which at the time wasn’t an experience I particularly enjoyed!

"Obviously, captaining the club in winning N2N a couple of seasons ago and doing so well in the league last season have been a real honour. I am still fully committed to the club and  am looking forward to next season. I think with the new signings the club has made we have a really strong squad this year and have a great opportunity on improving on last year’s league position."

Sam, 26, made his 1st team debut in 2006 and has made 147 1st team appearances to date. He has been an ever present selection in the last two seasons, 60 matches, the only National League forward to have achieved this feat.

Mark Nelson will announce the successor to Sam within the next few days.