Heworth coach Harold Box has quit Elm Park Way, citing personal differences with the club as the reasons for resigning.

His assistant, Phil Butler, has also left, with 'A' team coach Phil Sturdy and first-team player Brendan Carlyle taking charge of the National Conference League club until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, York Groves have also lost their coach, with Alan Mitchell stepping down after six years at the helm. Simon Moat takes over as player-coach.

The resignations mean that only York Acorn of the city's amateur clubs have not parted company with coaches this season. The Atkins brothers, Garry and Paul, left New Earswick All Blacks near the start of the campaign.

Box did not want to detail his motives for leaving Heworth, but said: "It's for personal reasons really. There were a couple of things I wasn't happy with at the club.

"It was amicable. I've got nothing against the majority of the committee - they have been spot on with me. But there were just a couple of things I did not want to put up with."

Although the announcement has only today been made public, Box admitted he resigned 12 days ago, after the 16-10 win over Keighley Albion.

"I'm passing the time now recharging my batteries and I'll see what comes up," he added.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes denied that Box's departure had any effect on the team prior to Saturday's NCL division two match at leaders Hunslet, which the Villagers lost 46-0 to make their hopes of promotion even slimmer.

"We said all along that Hunslet were probably the best team in the division," he said.

"I don't think Harold's being there would have made that much difference to the result. There is no problem in the camp and everybody is happy."

He also said the split was amicable. "We're grateful for the work Harold and Phil put in but we have to move on," he added.

"We had a season and a half with Harold in charge but he decided to resign for his own personal reasons."

The new management team's first home game on Saturday is against mid-table Millom (KO 2.30pm). John Coulson should return after injury, while Nikki Wilson, Steve Barnard and Liam Cochrane, who also missed last week, face late fitness tests.

Sykes added: "We've got to bounce back. Millom have had one or two decent results, a including a win at York Acorn, so it's not going to be easy.

"Mathematically we're still in with a chance of promotion but it will be very difficult now. We can't really afford to lose any more and hope others drop points."

Meanwhile, Mitchell has decided to call it a day as coach at Groves, but will remain at the club.

The popular Mitchell has been a mainstay at the club, as a player and coach, and although he is stepping down he will remain with the Terriers as a committee member and trustee.

Moat takes over as player-coach, and will be given a baptism of fire on Saturday when his Pennine League division four side entertain unbeaten leaders Illingworth 'A' at Groves' new home ground at South Moor, near Huntington, where they are now established (kick off 2pm).

The Terriers go into the game on the back of an excellent 24-20 win at Undercliffe - Mitchell bowing out with a win - and Moat is confident his side will put on another good display.

The new boss is awaiting fitness checks on Rich Needham, but welcomes into the fold Lee Simpson, brother of in-form Martin.

Updated: 11:46 Thursday, November 15, 2001