What a double act to follow at Waterhead

Bowing out . . . Jon Perks (left) and Paul Geener

WATERHEAD are searching for a new coaching team after Paul Geener and Jon Perks stepped down from the role.

The pair guided the Peach Road outfit to promotion from Division Two of the National Conference League last season.

However, increased commitments with their full-time jobs — Geener is working towards a promotion in the police force and Perks (40) is a firefighter — means they were unable to continue their successful partnership.

Geener (38) announced his decision at the club’s end-of-season awards ceremony. However, he has not ruled out returning to the coaching ranks in the future.

He said: “I tried to work out a way in which I could carry on, but it wouldn’t have been possible.

“I didn’t want to let down the players, so I thought it best I did it now.

“I might still play the odd game or two and also work with the injured players in aiding their recovery, but it won’t be as intense as before.”

Geener and Perks, who have served Waterhead loyally on the pitch for many years, grabbed the reins in June, 2011.

After a promising series of results in the interim league — the competition was organised as a prelude to the new 2012 NCL Summer League season — Waterhead stepped up a gear to win promotion on a dramatic final day with a with a 35-16 win at Askam.

During the season in which they won 18 of their 24 league games, Waterhead put 130 points on the board against Normanton Knights.

Geener added: “Hopefully, Jon and I have built a platform for the club to move on to even better things in the future, because the players are there.”

Waterhead’s end-of- season awards saw Dale Lowe named as player of the year, Kieran Grennan coach’s player of the year and Andy Sands players’ player.

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