We caught up with M and J Chair, Andy Wrathall, to find out a little bit more about AK.
Founded: 1897
Ground: Stelfox Avenue
League: Northern Division – North West 1
Sharklinks: We have had a number of players in recent years who have progressed from
the M and J’s at AK into the Sale set up. Perhaps the most famous is Mark Cueto, who after
starring at AK, went on to play over 300 times for Sale, scoring 76 tries (a Premiership
record at the time). Mark also represented England and the British and Irish Lions. Our
current AK 1st team coach is Cameron Nield, a top class flanker currently in the Sharks 1st
team squad. More recently, we have Elliot Gourlay, who signed for Sale after leading our
U16s to victory in the Cheshire Cup in 2017-18. He made his debut for the Senior Squad vs
Newcastle Falcons last November.
Unsung Hero: As with every grassroots club, we have a huge number of volunteers who
give up their time every week for the love of rugby. We are immensely grateful to each and
every one. All of them deserve medals. However, if we have to mention a couple, Tim
Marston (our current Club Chair, and ex M and J Chair) was shortlisted for the RFU
Volunteer of the Year Award in 2021. And then there’s Neil Hitchen, aka ‘Dobby the AK
House Elf’, who gives up so much of his time to help in all areas of the club from coaching to
safeguarding to serving the pints….a real jack of all trades and irreplaceable.
Favourite Sharks Moment: Cameron Nield scoring a try and getting Player of the Match
(although we can’t remember who against!). And Sale winning the Premiership….more of
the same please!
Club Goals: We pride ourselves as being a grassroots, community focused club. We
welcome players of any age and provide a warm, friendly environment for everyone to thrive
and achieve their potential. We hope that everyone who comes into contact with the club, be
that a player, coach, official or supporter, both home and away, has a positive experience
and leaves with a smile on their face. We have a great track record of former players going
on to coach their own children and we pride ourselves on how many of our Senior squad
have come through our own M&J section. Through everything we do rugby’s core values of
Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship are at the forefront of our
minds.
