THE controversial departure of head coach Eric Fitzsimons from York Acorn ARLC will not affect the role at the club of former York City Knights star Darren Callaghan.

That was Callaghan's own assessment of the situation at Thanet Road after a turbulent week for the Blue and Golds.

Friday's game at Castleford Lock Lane was abandoned 13 minutes from time after fighting broke out and this was followed by the sacking, unrelated to the abandonment, of Fitzsimons.

The Rochdale-based schoolteacher had taken Acorn to joint-top of National Conference division one and Callaghan admitted his departure came as a surprise.

"It was a shock to me, I don't know what's gone on but the committee have come to some agreement," said Callaghan, who according to the club will formally join a coaching team also comprising Barry Gargan, who was an assistant to Fitzsimons, and Paul Lumby, the team manager in the previous arrangement.

"I'm just doing the same as I have been. I'm just doing my normal role, playing a bit and helping to bring on some of the young lads down there. Paul Lumby and Barry Gargan are taking a lot more of it on."

Callaghan, who has played more times for the Knights than any other player, has not ruled out returning to National League rugby but in the meantime is keen to enjoy life at Acorn. That enjoyment, though, was not aided by the goings-on at Lock Lane.

The 29-year-old, seemingly targeted as a dangerman by the Cas side, claimed he was hit from the side by a sin-binned Lock Lane player who ran back onto the pitch during the melee that led to the abandonment of Friday's game.

"It was a shock to the system," he said. "I didn't think the Conference League was like that. It's meant to be quite good but he could have broken my jaw. I just want to enjoy playing and help a few of the lads on in coaching with things like running lines and tackling techniques."

Acorn have asked to be present at the disciplinary hearing but can nevertheless expect a hefty fine after referee Jamie Leahy stated in his report that he abandoned the game as he feared for the safety of the players.

One thing in their favour, however, is their good disciplinary record to date, with only one yellow card this season prior to that game, and they will hope to get back to order on Saturday as they entertain mid-table Hunslet Warriors.

Callaghan added: "It should be a tough game but we've got pretty much a full-strength squad and we should go all right."

Updated: 10:31 Thursday, October 20, 2005