HEWORTH ARLC do not yet know if player-coach Chris Smith will remain at the helm next season – but they hope he agrees to stay in charge.

The former Super League and York City Knights star has overseen a torrid season in National Conference division one, their depleted squad losing all of their 24 league and cup games so far.

But the club – who have two games to go of this season to forget – have been happy with his input and dedication, travelling from his St Helens home three times a week for training and match-days.

And they believe the progression made by their young players in testing circumstances should stand them in good stead next season when they hope to bounce back.

Club spokesman Ken Sykes remains positive for the future, and full of praise for the coach.

“Chris has battled on all season, continually leading by example on and off the field,” he said. “He sees raw talent in a lot of our young players and is keen to develop that.”

Asked whether Smith would remain at the helm, Sykes said: “We haven’t yet spoken about it with Chris, but we hope he stays on.

“Chris is a good bloke who sees the best in everyone. Travelling from St Helens is a big commitment and we wouldn’t hold him back if he were to move on, but we hope that won’t be the case.”

The silver lining to the Villagers’ awful season has been the introduction of promising young talent.

Sykes said: “Due to our awful luck with injuries we’ve had to use more of our under-18s than we would have liked, and, although it’s been far from the ideal situation in which to introduce them to open age rugby, hopefully they will benefit from the experience in the long run.

“These young lads now know what is needed to compete at this level, and will be battle hardened for life in division two next season.”

Sykes said there had been some shining lights. “The signs are promising,” he said. “Ben Stoker has been strong at centre and there is more to come from him, Craig Richardson has come into his own at half-back, and 16-year-old hooker Tyler Craig has already impressed.

“The spirit is definitely there. Hopefully they can now develop their skills and benefit from their tough introduction.”

Sykes said the injury situation at the club had been devastating.

“We have used 51 players, which is a huge amount,” he explained. “We haven’t been able to get any consistency in the team, and as such we’ve never got going.”

He said: “There have been times where we were in winning positions, and if we could have converted one of those, it may have led to two or three more.”

As for next season in division two, Sykes said: “We hope to get off to the best start with a good pre-season. We should have most of our players back fit and then we can get some consistency in the team.

“With that I feel we can compete strongly in every game and soon start to turn in winning performances.”

The first team have no game this Saturday, but the ‘A’ team go to Oulton ‘A’ for a Yorkshire League division two relegation battle.

Sykes said they would send a genuine second team rather than strengthen the line-up with first-teamers.

York Acorn have no game either as scheduled National Conference premier division opponents Leigh East are in National Cup action. Acorn ‘A’ host Chequerfield at the top end of Yorkshire League division two.