A new coaching team of Craig Forsyth and Keith Loft will spearhead Heworth's bid for an immediate return to the premier division when the National Conference League season gets underway on Saturday.

IN THE HOT-SEAT: Heworth forward Craig Forsyth, pictured above during his York Wasps days, will assist Keith Loft as the Villagers' coach. He will be joined at Elm Park Way by Gareth Lloyd (below right) who has signed for Heworth from Acorn

Former York Wasps forward Forsyth has been chosen as the man to replace Stewart Horton who retired at the end of last season.

He will assist Keith Loft, joint coach with Horton, who remains at the helm. The move ends months of speculation during which time Wasps player Garry Atkins, Doncaster Dragons coach St John Ellis and Heworth play-maker Chris Hammerton have all been linked to the post.

Forsyth has no plans to give up playing so will again be one of the key men in what is expected to be a tough year for the Villagers.

They kick-off their programme at home to Barrow Island with a familiar-looking side. They have made few changes from last season but have lost BARLA international forward Chris Plowman who is spending the next year playing rugby in Australia.

Their major addition is powerful centre Gareth Lloyd, who has joined Heworth from neighbours York Acorn. He teamed up with nephew St John Ellis to play a handful of games with Northern Ford Premiership club Doncaster this summer which should have aided his step-up from the Conference second division.

They have also added strong running forward Jason Martin, a veteran of amateur rugby league in York, to their squad.

Heworth completed their pre-season programme with a much improved performance and a 30-18 victory over Pennine League side Calder Valley at the weekend. They welcomed back Hammerton and star forward Jason Gatus for that game, while Dan Briggs is also back after recovering from a bad thumb injury he sustained last season.

Spokesman Ken Sykes said: "We are expecting a difficult season. From speaking to other clubs, the first division is a division where the skill level is not as high but you have to battle for your points. There are going to be some tough matches and while we're optimistic we're not taking anything for granted."

Acorn are putting their faith in youth as they begin their second division campaign at home to Keighley Albion. Several members of last season's Under-18s will be making the step up to the Conference, including centre Richard Tinker, Hull Sharks Academy stand off/loose forward Michael Embleton, prop Jamie Towey, full back/centre Ryan Calam and highly-rated half-back Danny Liddell.

But they will have to begin the season without York Academy duo Stephen Waldron and Alan Willitts who have been suspended until December 31 and October 15 respectively for their part in the well-documented Hemel brawl.

The youngsters will be aided greatly by the experience of former York professionals Graham Sullivan and Nicky Warters who will be a big asset to the new coaching team of Mick Calam and Alan Hebblethwaite. They know the club cannot risk another re-election fight after being forced to re-apply to the league twice in the last three seasons.

Most significant out-goings are Gareth Lloyd to Heworth and livewire scrum-half Dean Kilbride to New Earswick All Blacks. Into the squad on the wings come ex-South bank footballer Craig Fletcher and former Barmby Moor player Tim Wilcox, plus Dave Peacock and Darren Rhodes who have both been out of the game for a couple of years.

All the newcomers will be vying for places in the team for Saturday's Thanet Road clash between last season's two bottom clubs.

Though it looks like a banker in view of Albion's performances last season, spokesman Paul Lumby said: "You'd think it would be the easiest game but because it's out first game and we haven't had a chance for the players to gel together it could turn out to be the most dangerous game we could have had.

"We have the talent, we just need to work together as a team. We are looking for improvement in defence because silly errors in the past have let us down and consistency has to improve.

"We have some of the best juniors coming through but we need to see it turned into the first team because we need to go forward. It's time we got out of this division."

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