All Golds v Newcastle Thunder KPL1 2016 - FINAL_2

THE
FANTASTIC
50 CLUB
MCCLEAN’S RING OF CONFIDENCE
34
The All Golds’ Fantastic 50 club
was launched in June 2015 to
honour those who have worn the
Golden Fern on 50 occasions.
The club’s inaugural member
was Phil Cowburn. Shortly
afterwards Matt Bradley reached
the landmark and now comes
the third member of the club,
Joe McClean.
Joe reached the milestone
at Keighley having made his
debut in the All Golds’ first ever
game against Hemel Stags. To
celebrate the occasion, he scored
a superb 40-metre try early in
the second half to put his team
right back in the game.
Casting his mind back, Joe
recalls: “I remember being
extremely proud to play in the
first professional game for the
All Golds back in 2013 against
Hemel.
“Unfortunately we didn’t come
away with the win but it was a
close fought game which I really
enjoyed and it made me realise
how much I was going to have
to improve if I wanted to be
successful in this league.
“Four seasons on and with
50 games under my belt, I’m
extremely proud of the distance
the club and I have travelled in
the sport.”
That distance includes
international recognition as
part of the triumphant Scottish
side that won the European
Championship in 2014. Selected
again in 2015, Joe saw All
Golds team mates Steve Parry,
Courtney Davies, Lewis Reece
and Jamie Murphy take the
title with Wales.
Looking to the future,
Joe says: “I’m looking
to consistently
perform
to a high
standard. I
would like to
see the club
continue to
improve, get out
of this pool of
Southern teams
fighting at
the bottom
and begin
reaching play
offs year on
year until
promotion.”
Having played
a number of
positions including a spell at
centre “because I’m so quick”,
Joe may have designs on Parry’s
number nine shirt. “After my
performance at Rochdale there
could even be a future with me
at hooker, who knows...”
But as to the rumours
of him forming a
brass band with
Phil Cowburn, he
says the project
is on ice for the
moment. “Internal
issues in the band
have put a halt to
the world tour
and Phil now
only performs in
his room, alone,
with the door
shut late at night.
I’m now talking
with Richard
Jones regarding
potential progression
routes.”
It’s on the field where the
progress has been substantial
and fans of the Golden Fern
will be eagerly awaiting further
barnstorming performances
in the seasons to come as
Joe embarks on game 51 and
beyond.
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