FORMER West Hartlepool flanker Matthew Emmerson has departed as York's player-coach on the eve of the new season.

Emmerson, who only joined the Clifton Parkers at the end of 2001 as the club's forwards coach, cannot commit as much time to the role as he could last season after accepting a place on a teacher training course at Sunderland University.

The 29-year-old was due to share the coaching responsibilities with former Otley captain Peter Curtis this season, with Andy Gair moving upstairs to take over as the director of rugby.

The signing of 36-year-old Curtis, a formidable back five forward, would have seen Emmerson take over the running of the backs.

However, Emmerson has decided to head out of the club to find a side closer to his base in the north east where he can continue his role coaching the pack.

Gair told the Evening Press: "The arrival of Pete (Curtis) meant Matt was going to be taking the back division, however, it is not an area he is as comfortable with and he wants to keep with the forwards.

"He is off to college in a few weeks to do teacher training at Sunderland University, so we always knew his involvement at the club would decrease with lectures and teaching in schools in the Tyneside area."

The departure of Emmerson means Curtis will take complete control of the first team, as well as the forwards, with Gair overseeing everything while coaching the backs.

Gair is also set to take over the coaching of the club's colts team.

The departure of Rob Swann to New Zealand and injury to Niall Barry has left the colts without a coach.

However, Gair will take over the reins while the club look to find the right candidates for the job.

"We are talking to one or two interested parties as it is an area we want to improve," Gair added.

Anyone who would be interested in coaching the colts, should contact Gair on (07712) 793081.

Gair is also set to run a monthly coaching clinic at Clifton Park, specialising in different areas of the game.

Although the sessions will be predominately for the coaches at every level at the York club, teachers and coaches from other clubs are welcome to attend at a small cost.

The first session, which will look at handling, will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday., September 11, with coaches not from the York club asked to pay £5.

FOR most players the start of the new season fills them with hope and optimism of the challenges ahead.

Unfortunately for new York signing Rob Taylor, the big kick-off was spent in the stands at Sheffield Tigers' Hathersage Road ground.

The former St Peter's School student had made an impressive start in the centres during the first half of York's pre-season victory over West Leeds when he suffered a serious dislocation of the knee.

Director of rugby Andy Gair said: "He has been really outstanding in pre-season and would have played had he not damaged his knee.

"Rob will undergo personal rehabilitation with the club now. Pete Jones will carry on the rehabilitation at the club, while Hugo Battersby, with advice from Peter Curtis, will take him through one-to-one sessions."

THE antipodean influx at Malton and Norton has continued during the close season with the signing of New Zealander Willie Barber.

The full-back, whose goal-kicking skills will be vital to Malton's hopes in Yorkshire Two this season, is the second player to join the Gannock-based side from the land of Zinzan Brook, Ian Jones and Sean Fitzpatrick with flanker James McKay having arrived back in December of last year.

Completing the ANZAC union are skipper Chris Creber and Phil Ryan, although the latter is not due to return to the club until December.

HAVING been relegated from Yorkshire One last season, Pocklington have been quick to add to their squad with a number of top young players from the surrounding area.

Former Yorkshire Schools' duo Andrew Wilson, a front row from Spaldington, and Adam Pears, a flanker with experience at Leeds Tykes from Seaton Ross, have impressed in pre-season.

Mark Biggin, a 6ft 5in second row from Warter, has moved back from Stafford and he could be teaming up in the engine room with fellow lock Rob Caley, who is a product of the Pocklington School team.

In the backs, Hertfordshire Under-21s scrum-half Jonny Frank, from Ousethorpe, has confirmed he will be making the trip north from his base at Reading University, while Stamford Bridge-based Neil Ambler, who has previously played in the centres for Ripon, Harrogate and North Colts, returns to the game after a couple of years out.

Also adding competition for the centres will be Rob Trowler, who has previously played for North West One outfit Caldy in Cheshire.

AFTER just a year's absence, Harrogate youngster Andrew Boyle has returned to Claro Road.

The highly-rated back-five forward only left the club at the start of the 2001/2 season to play for fierce rivals Otley, but despite the chance of regular National One rugby, Boyle has decided to return to home.

The former Ashville College pupil, who captained Yorkshire U20s last season, has been rewarded for his decision by edging out last season's leading try-scorer John Dudley in the side so far this season.

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, September 07, 2002