THE York City Knights squad had no idea Paul Broadbent was to resign as player-coach, according to club captain Rich Hayes.

The 33-year-old prop, a front-row partner to Broadbent and one of the elder statesmen in the Knights camp, told the Evening Press all the players were "gutted" about the news.

"It was a shock," said Hayes, who learned of Broadbent's decision with the rest of the squad at training on Tuesday. "Everybody is gobsmacked, it came out of the blue.

"Paul's been good this year, he's been a great coach. He said from the start he had a lot to learn but nobody has had a bad word against him. He was doing a great job in my view, taking the team in the right direction. I believe he's a good coach and had a lot to offer.

"I'm gutted about his decision to call it a day and I know the rest of the lads are. He was a really good coach and a really good fella as well, and sometimes you don't get that in one package."

Hayes said losing Broadbent was a blow for the Knights, but reckoned that by making his announcement now he had done right by the club.

"He explained everything about his decision, about his family, and I probably more than most understand what he means," said Hayes. "He's given his reasons for calling it a day, which is fair enough.

"He's got a young family and travelling from Sheffield all the time was not easy and, with all the homework when you're involved in coaching as well, it never really stops. You're holding down a job as well, it must have been hard on the fella.

"He will definitely be missed but I think he's done it the best way he possibly could. He's seen out the season and he hasn't dilly-dallied. He's given the club the best opportunity to look for a new coach."

He added: "He has set a platform for the club. The players are all disappointed we've gone out of the play-offs in the first round but given the amount of players we've been through and the injuries we've had to key players, including Paul, we've done remarkably well.

"I think Paul kept everybody's heads up and motivated everyone even when he himself got that injury. He did a real good job."

York RL Supporters' Club chairman Louise Ince said she was stunned by Paul Broadbent's decision, but wished him all the best for the future.

Ince said the York City Knights player-coach's resignation yesterday came as a major surprise to supporters, but said they understood his reasoning.

"I'm shellshocked. I saw the news and I thought, 'I can't believe this'," she told the Evening Press.

"It's a blow for the club as I think he's done tremendously well. When you think what we were last year and compare that to now, having finished fourth in our first season, it's unbelievable.

"When you think of the quality players we've got, it's because of who Paul Broadbent is that they were coming on board. He was a respected player and a lot of people came because of him and the likes of (chief executive) Steve Ferres."

Updated: 11:35 Thursday, September 18, 2003