Former Sandbach player Josh Brown has been selected for the Sale Sharks bench in Friday evenings Premiership Rugby Cup tie v Newcastle Falcons at the AJ Bell. Josh only recently left the Bach, having arrived from neighbouring Winnington Park in 2017 and quickly became a firm favourite with the players and supporters, not least for his wholehearted displays. When he arrived, he quickly developed under the tutelage of Sandbach’s then forwards coach, the Sale Sharks and former England hooker Rob Webber and for the last couple of seasons has been the standout player for many a game for the Bach. During his time at Bradwall Road he racked up over 60 appearances and scored 19 tries, ending up joint top try scorer in his last season.

His form merited notice by the County, and he was capped in 2019, playing in the dramatic Twickenham final, when Cornwall snatched the title with a stoppage time 14 v 12 victory over Cheshire, who were down to 14 men. This brought him to the attention of Neil Briggs, the Sale Sharks Transition Coach and ultimately, he left the Bach to join Sale FC, where he has established himself as the starting hooker.

With Covid 19 wiping out the 2020/21 season, Shortie could still regularly be seen down at the club, despite then being affiliated with Sale and training regularly with the boys and playing in adapted games, when the rules allowed. Josh is also often seen down at the club after games, when he drops in for a quiet beer when he can and to catch up with his old mates and brother Nick, who still plays at Sandbach RUFC.
The club wish him well and hope he gets on the paddock, as he is a top player and bloke to boot.