Knights coach James Ford welcomes former ARLC Heworth boss Tim Rumford to League One ranks

Rumford, a long-standing member of the Castleford Tigers academy and back room staff, has left his role with the Villagers after two years to take over the reins at expansion club Oxford - taking York-born player/assistant-coach Danny Allan with him from Elm Park Way.

It signals a return to the semi-pro ranks for both of them, and a first time in a hot seat for former Gateshead Thunder assistant-coach Rumford.

Ford, though, a fellow rookie boss heading into his maiden season as Knights chief, believes he has the tools to succeed.

"I'm sure Tim's really excited by the opportunity," said Ford, who previously had a spell as a Cas player while Rumford coached their under-18s.

"He's been an assistant at Gateshead and has done a lot in the academy section as Cas so he will have developed his own skill set and philosophy.

"At Oxford he might not be able to attract the bigger names in the competition but he's the right kind of person to be in charge of an expansion team as he understands about developing players."

Oxford, then coached by the experienced Tony Benson, were one of only three teams to beat the Knights in the league last year and the only team to leave Huntington Stadium with maximum points.

Added Ford: "I'm sure the Oxford board have confidence he will develop their team and the club as a whole, and I wish him all the best - apart from when they play us, of course.

"He's a good bloke. When i was at Cas he was an academy coach and everyone around the place liked him and held him in good regard. He brought on a lot of players.

"He's also done quite a good job at Heworth, where people spoke highly of him."

Rumford, himself a former York and Hunslet player, had taken over there at the end of 2012, with the Villagers in the doldrums, having finished bottom of the National Conference League with only one point from 24 games.

They finished tenth of 12 teams in division three the following year and, this year, with 25-year-old Allan in as player/assistant, they were seventh of ten teams.

Rumford said of his switch: "Oxford are a development club which have made a solid start and the board have established a club with a feelgood factor about it. I’m honoured to have been given this opportunity.”

He added of Allan, whose move was revealed by The Press last month: "It’s good to have Danny with us, he’s got quality about his game and he adds a lot of experience to our group."

Allan, a Heworth product whose time in the pro arena began with Leeds Rhinos and included spells at the Knights, Featherstone and Doncaster, said: “I heard good things about the club and I wanted a new challenge.

"I needed to discuss joining with my family as to make things work - I know it’s going to be demanding. But they are right behind me and looking forward to next season. It’s going to need hard graft and commitment and that’s what Tim promised me."

Oxford managing director Adrian Smith said: "In Tim I believe we have a head coach who has the energy, desire and confidence to take up the opportunity that Oxford RL offers.

"He’s proved his ability to develop players as individuals as well as part of a team and that’s exactly what I want Tim to bring to our club.

“I was flattered as a development club to have numerous candidates in for the position, with standout CVs among them. Tim’s was one of them and he impressed us with his coaching philosophy.

"He’s definitely got the appetite and credentials to push Oxford forward. He is a thoughtful, determined individual and his attitude is spot on. I’m excited for both him and the squad. It’s exactly what we need to continue our momentum."