County coach Connell signs up for Penrith
Last updated 11:36, Monday, 28 April 2008
STUART CONNELL is the new coach for relegated Penrith who will are likely to be playing in North Two East next season.
The Winters Park club have chosen Connell to head the coaching team next season after rugby development manager Nigel Beaty quit last week.
Connell is currently in charge of the Cumbria county side alongside Malcolm Brown and the pair are preparing to lead the team into the County Championship with the first game on Saturday at Kendal.
Connell, a former Netherhall and Cumbria player, had been head coach at Fylde until October when he and his assistant Martin Scott were sacked and replaced by the director of rugby Matt Emmerson.
At the time chairman Mike Brennand said that such is the nature of the game that the club required someone full time to take responsibility.
Connell, who had played for Fylde before taking on a coaching role, is based in Preston.
Penrith finished third bottom of North One despite a late flourish to the season and unless there is an RFU late decision to change the league structure are likely to be back in North Two East.
The opposition is to be decided but could include Carlisle, Driffield, Morpeth, Durham City, Gateshead, possibly Aspatria, Ilkley or Northern, Pontefract, Sandal, Billingham, Old Crossleyans and Rochdale.
