Rugby league legend Eric Fitzsimons has been unveiled as the new head coach of York Acorn.

Fitzsimons, who can list coaching Oldham to promotion to division one among several impressive CV entries, will take the reins of the newly-promoted club as it faces its biggest challenge in years.

And he is confident he can get the team going in the right direction by building on the foundations that got them promoted from division two of the National Conference last season.

He said: "Everybody wants to see rugby with a lot of flair and at Acorn they do that automatically.

"They are a group of lads that have grown up together. What's needed from me is a little bit more control and discipline.

"I'm trying to build on some of the qualities they have already got, and by trying to bridle some of the things that need improving by working together and not giving up."

Pre-season training got under way last week, and Fitzsimons, who has coached at Sheffield, Rochdale and Whitehaven and played at Oldham, Rochdale and Hunslet - where the utility back still holds a kicking record - is pleased with the early progress.

He said: "We talked about not just surviving in division one. We went up as the third placed team so we are the lowest common denominator in that league. But we are going in to try and compete and win the championship if we can.

"If we go in with that sort of mindset it's much more positive, whereas going in to survive is a bit negative.

"I've got a group of very responsive players who have responded well to training and to the things I have had to say.

"The week-by-week content of training is a good balance of skills, technical analysis and speed so we are covering all the major areas."

The 56-year-old PE teacher was a regular at Thanet Road last season, watching son Mick at hooker, and it was his commitment to the cause that made him a clear choice for the selection committee.

Club chairman Kevin Warters said: "We had other applicants in but the fact that he is willing to travel from Lancashire three times a week for training and matches shows he is dedicated, as well as his coaching experience.

"It's going to be a big season for us having just been promoted and that's why we needed somebody strong.

"We have had some strong coaches before but we needed someone to take us forward and obviously Eric's done a lot both in his coaching and in his playing careers."

Barry Gargan will continue as assistant coach, while Paul Lumby will also stay in touch with team affairs as team manager, while an as yet unnamed professional player has pledged to join the club as player-coach once his summer commitments are fulfilled.

Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.45pm at York Acorn.

Updated: 09:50 Friday, July 08, 2005