SEAN BASS has resigned as head coach of York RUFC.

A stalwart of the club for more than three decades, the Clifton Park chief made the decision to step down after steering the club to third place in Yorkshire One last season.

In charge for nearly five years, Bass has been replaced by fellow former player Lee Denham. Only unbeaten Doncaster Phoenix, who won every one of their league games, and derby rivals Malton & Norton were better than York during the last campaign - with Bass’s men particularly strong at home.

But with director of rugby Pete Clegg having already left, and now back in a role at former stamping ground Otley, Bass feels the time is right for a new man to try and take the club up into North One East.

“I have resigned as York RUFC head coach,” Bass confirmed. “I just felt it was time for me to take a year or two off and watch a bit of rugby without the pressure of being involved.

“I joined the club when I was 12 and I am 45 now. It was a massive decision. It is not just the bricks and mortar - it is about the people in them.”

Added the outgoing coach: “I am close with some of the players and those like Chris Fox has been fantastic. There are players like Andy Kay that I have grown with.

"Hopefully, I have rubbed off on them and they have on me.

“It’s a massive wrench to leave. There are some fantastic people behind the scenes. It was a big decision for me and it took a couple of weeks to make it.

“I felt it was time for someone else to have a go. I will miss it and I wouldn’t ever rule out that I would do it again.”