CORSHAM chairman Jon Brennan says his club cannot believe their luck after securing Kevin Snape as their new director of rugby.

The Lacock Road side moved quickly to make the appointment following Snape’s surprise departure as senior playing chairman at nearby National Three South West Chippenham earlier this month.

Despite enduring a tough season, Corsham have survived in Southern Counties South and Brennan believes Snape’s arrival can prove the catalyst for an improvement in the club’s fortunes.

“As soon as we found out that Kevin had moved on from Chippenham, we made contact. I found it extraordinary that they had let him go if you know the chap and that depth of knowledge of grass roots rugby,’’ he said.

“We’re extremely excited and positive about working with him.’’ Brennan revealed Snape, nicknamed Snapper, had already made an impact in his first few days at the club.

“He was there all day Saturday and most of Sunday. He just sticks around and absorbs it, it is a breath of fresh air,’’ he added.

“He’s already produced his vision and the support he has had is immense. We can’t believe we’ve got him it’s on a par with five numbers on the lottery. Chippenham’s loss is our gain.

“We’re a small club with a large junior section and part of our strategy is to create a visible pathway through the club to the first team.

“We have incredibly strong U15s and U16s and we have got to give these guys coming through a pathway.”

Snape, who played for Corsham in the early 1980s, will work alongside existing head coach Dan Jeffries and said: “Initially, I said I wanted a bit of time away (from rugby) but I met Jon and president Tony Iacono and they sold me their vision of what they wanted to do at Corsham.

“It’s something I can really get my teeth into. Dan has done a great job in difficult circumstances and we’re going to sit down and see how we can take it forward.

"Hopefully, he’ll stay on board and we can add to it.’’

Meanwhile, Snape’s former club Chippenham were relegated from National Three South West after a 71-17 defeat to champions Lydney on Saturday.

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