All change at Rangers

Rugby: SADDLEWORTH Rangers are on the look-out for a new coaching team.

Keith Brennan, who replaced Paddy Kirwan in 2008, has stepped down, along with sidekicks Wes Rogers and Shane Wilson.

Rangers, under Brennan’s guidance, won promotion back to National Conference League Premier Division at the end of the 2009-2010 season and just failed to gain a place in the top-flight play-offs last term.

But commitments outside of the sport has led to the former Roughyeds half-back to leave the position.

Brennan said: “It was a very hard decision, because this team has a lot of potential and it would be great to be part of that.

“However, the time has come to step back. I’ve done the job for three years and the players probably need a change of voice — they can only be bored for so long.

“The role also takes up a lot of time, with a game at weekends and training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s on your mind on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and if you get beat, you spend all day Sunday sulking about it.

“But I’ve loved every minute of it. They’re a great set of lads who give everything in terms of effort, and I will miss the craic more than anything else.”

Brennan (37), who had a spell as Gary Mercer’s assistant at Oldham RL, will continue to be involved with the Masters team, while Rogers and Wilson will concentrate on Rangers’ youth section.

Rangers chairman Terry Flanagan: “We’re delghted with the success achieved under Keith and his team and are sorry they have decided to step down, because they’ve done a fantastic job.

“We recently won the Standard Cup and consolidated our position in the Premier Division, which was a major acheivement.

“But there is much work involved, with games and training and it does fill up a lot of your time.

“The end of last season was very demanding.

“However, it’s an opportunity for new people to be at the helm, and the search starts straight away.”