Former York Rugby League Club player Stewart Smith was today confirmed as the new head coach of amateur side York Acorn.

The 41-year-old ex-Yorkshire and Great Britain Under-18s amateur international succeeds Alfie Hill in the Blue and Golds hot-seat.

Hill, who led the side as player-coach and then coach for 14 years, steps up to become director of coaching at Thanet Road.

Smith had a spell with the Wasps towards the end of a 17-year professional career, which also took in Featherstone, New Hunslet, Rochdale, Wakefield and Doncaster. He has coached Yorkshire League senior division side Brotherton for the past three seasons, leading them to a championship win and White Rose Trophy success.

The new boss, who is based in the Knottingley area, plans to hold a meeting with the Acorn players next week.

Club spokesman Paul Lumby welcomed the appointment of a coach with experience of the game at professional and amateur level.

"It is great to get somebody who has obviously played for a number of years at the top level, at a time when Featherstone, New Hunlset and Wakefield were actually forces in the game," he said.

"The other pleasing aspect is we have got somebody who has dealt for the last three seasons with an amateur club. He knows the problems and inner workings of an amateur club.

"The club are aiming to go forward and the appointment of a man of this calibre can only underline this and help us to get out of this division and go on to bigger and better things."

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