FORMER York Acorn ARLC boss Dave Kay is back at the Thanet Road club, as assistant to head coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul.

Kay was a key man in Acorn's rise to becoming York's leading amateur club, having led the team to promotion from National Conference League division two as player-coach back in 2005, in his last of three seasons at the helm.

The Blue and Golds have never looked back, going on to twice reach the elite tier in amateur rugby league, although they are back in division one this term after relegation last year.

Kay, a former star player with Redhill, stepped down due to family commitments but he is now in a position to get heavily involved again, and Paul-Rientoul, who played under him a dozen years ago, is delighted to have him back.

"He's now back living in Woodthorpe and asked if there was space on the coaching staff, and I was more than willing to have him on board," he said.

"Having someone with his knowledge and experience is great and it also gives me chance to step back a bit.

"We train the first and second teams together and we can have 40 blokes involved so you don't get much chance to have one on one, so this will really help.

"Dave got Acorn out of division two into division one, and back then Acorn were always a division two club, so that in itself says a lot."

BARLA international Tom Hill had been Paul-Rientoul's number two while sidelined following a serious knee operation but he is back in full training now and soon to rejoin the playing ranks.

Added the head coach: "Tom was our assistant but with him back playing, Dave has slotted in perfectly."

Acorn begin their NCL division one season at home to fellow relegated side Lock Lane a week on Saturday.