TRIUMPHANT boss Dave Kay is to step down as York Acorn ARLC coach after leading his team to a stunning promotion from National Conference League division two.

As reported by the Evening Press, the Blue and Golds secured promotion to division one for the first time in the club's history by beating Millom on Saturday while promotion rivals Waterhead were losing to Saddleworth.

And Kay has now announced that he is to quit his role after three years at the helm because of family commitments, with the club seeking a new boss for their inaugural season in division one.

"I've got a young family and this role at Acorn has taken up a lot of time," he explained. "I've mulled it over for the last three or four months and made my decision several weeks ago."

Kay told club chiefs of his decision a few weeks ago and let the players know in the build-up to Saturday's all-important match.

"I thought it was only fair to let the club know, though I didn't want to tell the players earlier in case it affected our preparations.

"I'd like to think it gave them a bit of an extra spur ahead of our last two games to finish on a good note but I don't know how much it affected things because the aim all along over the last three years was to go up."

Kay will have a proper send-off after Saturday's final game of the season at home to Crosfields, when the Blue and Golds hope to celebrate a double success, as their 'A' team entertain Undercliffe in a Pennine League division four championship play-off, the two sides having finished level on points at the top.

Said Kay: "It was a pretty good atmosphere in the changing rooms once we phoned through to hear that Waterhead had lost, but quite a lot of the lads went to an engagement party so we've put our celebrations on ice. We intend to do all that after next week's last game when hopefully the 'A' team will have a title to celebrate."

He added: "Everybody is delighted and they're all looking forward to next season. I would imagine they can cut it in division one, no problem.

"We've built over the last two or three years a good squad and a good base with a good few under-18s coming through.

"There's not a great deal of difference between the two divisions, though maybe we'll need a bit more consistency, but I wouldn't have thought there'd be a problem.

"Whoever takes over will have a good set of lads and a good spirit at the club.

"I'm very happy with what we've done there over the last three years and happy with the position I'm leaving the club in."

Kay, won't leave Thanet Road altogether. "I will attend training whenever I can and I might play a few games for one of the teams," said the 35-year-old.

"I'm not sure what involvement I want but I'll still be around the club."

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, May 03, 2005