FORMER Hull KR star Steve Smith and club stalwart Jimmy Rothwell are to take over the reins at Heworth ARLC - and their first season in charge will almost certainly be in the National Conference League.

Smith and Rothwell have replaced Alfie Hill, who has stepped down as head coach, and have already set themselves the high aim of restoring former glories at Elmpark Way.

And they have immediately received their first big boost at the helm with the news the club's re-election application to the NCL has been successful, as Conference chiefs this week decided to keep them in the flagship league next season. That decision by the NCL's management team now only needs ratification at the league's annual general meeting in late June.

The Villagers had finished second bottom of the league, which thus required them to submit a re-election bid for the second successive season, but Smith and Rothwell are optimistic of improving on-field success.

"I'm not wasting my time to have them where they are now," said 35-year-old Rothwell, who has played through the ranks at Heworth and more recently coached juniors.

"We're coming there to get them out of the proverbial. I'm prepared to give it all my time and commitment, and the players know that. We're there to turn Heworth into a top-class team like they were before."

Joint-boss Smith, 42, was a player at Hull KR when they lifted the Challenge Cup in 1980 alongside Dave Watkinson, under whom he later played at Heworth in more successful days at Elmpark Way.

Rothwell said: "The players know his pedigree. I'm really up for this and so is Steve. We're both Heworth lads. I've been there since I was 11, and I've been fortunate to play with some fantastic players in fantastic teams and win trophies. Hopefully we will bring that back to the club."

The first team return for pre-season training on June 7 and Rothwell, an electrical contractors businessman by trade, added: "There seems to be a bit of a buzz about the place looking forward to next season.

"Our target will be to get into the top four (of Conference division two) and hopefully promotion."

Updated: 10:34 Thursday, May 19, 2005