SCOTT RHODES has officially stood down as York Acorn ARLC boss, with 'A' team coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul taking over.

The two swapped roles last Saturday as Rhodes' work commitments prevented him taking the first team to Cumbria for the clash with Wath Brow Hornets.

It has since been confirmed that former playing star Paul-Rientoul, a BARLA Coach of the Year runner-up last year, is to keep hold of reins permanently.

Rhodes, 35, who has overseen two promotions to the National Conference League premier division, as well as a relegation in between, cited family and work commitments for forcing his hand. However, he also reckoned it was time for someone new to take over, having only last week bemoaned the attitude among some players faced by the tough life in amateur rugby league's elite tier.

"It's not a short-term decision, it's been coming," said Rhodes. "I maybe should have done it at the end of last season.

"I've got a young family and the rugby has become very time-consuming, with work shifts as well.

"The club maybe need something fresh as well. I've been there five years now and it's time to have a rest and concentrate on my family. It's a million hours these days to be able to compete at that level.

"Leigh is a very good, young, up-and-coming coach and I think he'll do a great job."

Acorn have lost all six league games so far this term, but Rhodes insists a win is "just around the corner". They host mid-table Kells on Saturday (2.30pm).

"The players are a young group," he said. "I've built maybe two or three teams in my time there and this is probably the best one. They're young so will get better over the next four or five years.

"Results haven't been great but this is a very, very high standard of rugby league. We only got beat by two points away at Wath Brow, which shows how well we can compete.

"They're a talented bunch and a win is definitely not far away. It's just fine margins. They've just got to stick at it."

Rhodes said the two promotions, not least last year's memorable play-off success which brought the club's first-ever trophy, plus the Challenge Cup tie with York City Knights this spring, were "unforgettable" highlights.

"I remember my first training session - it was a winter's night in the snow and only six players turned up," said the former Knights captain.

"This season we've got 56 players signed on.

"The facilities here now are fantastic and there are lots of players coming through.

"Winning the play-offs and getting that first trophy in more than 25 years - that's a definite highlight. To play in the premier again is great, even if it is tough.

"The cup tie against York as well - the result wasn't great but to get 2,300 people watching was fantastic for the club and for York.

"We had other great cup runs - we should have beaten Gateshead Thunder at Gateshead a few years back.

"We've had some great times and I wouldn't swap any of it for anything."

He added: "Acorn gave me a chance to coach and I'm very grateful for that.

"I think we've done something special over the last few years. I'm not going to walk away. Leigh can ring any time and I'll still go down there when I can and do some work with them, whether it's the first team, second team or juniors."

Meanwhile, in the Yorkshire Men's League, premier division leaders Acorn 'A' go to Mirfield Stags, Heworth, on the back of two victories, host Queensbury in division one, and York Lokomotive host Keighley Albion in division two seeking their first win of term.