LEE DENHAM says he cannot wait to get started after becoming the lead coach at York RUFC.

Denham, a former first-team player at Clifton Park who has been at Hull Ionians as assistant coach, takes over from Sean Bass, who resigned after five years at the end of the Yorkshire One campaign.

The new man at the helm has moved quickly to build his coaching team - bringing in York junior stalwart Ian Thompson as his backs’ coach.

Denham, who will combine his duties with the head coach’s position at the University of York, will be studying for level three coaching qualifications and is excited about the quality of the squad he is inheriting.

“I get to coach at my local club, which is fantastic,” Denham enthused. “I am really looking forward to it.

“It’s a real challenge. York have been in Yorkshire One for a good few years and it might now be the time for us. We have had the shake-up in personnel, and with the coaching team, and we want to move York up the league.”

He added: “York finished third last year and have been building over the last couple of years. We have got an excellent second row in Chris Fox. He is absolutely amazing and I will be meeting him to keep him on board as skipper.

“There are some very talented rugby players around and we need to build on that and gain momentum.”

On his appointment of Thompson and his own qualifications, Denham said: “He has been coaching University of York’s women’s team as well and also for Yorkshire Ladies so he brings a lot of pedigree with him.

“I have been at Hull Ionians since 2012. I was a second team coach and first team skills coach. I stepped up to forwards coach and, this season, have been assistant coach to head coach Alex Crockett. We helped to get the club promoted to National One and that was huge.

“Now I am at York and where better than in my home town? How many coaches get to coach in the city they love?”