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Halifax coach joins rivals
DAVE Harrison has left Halifax RUFC and returned to Cleckheaton as head coach.
Harrison was officially unveiled to the Cleckheaton players and officials at a meeting last night.
His decision to leave Ovenden Park marks the end of a torrid eight month reign which saw Halifax win just once - a 12-11 final day home victory over Harrogate.
Harrison, a Twickenham winner with Heath in 2002, inherited a demoralised and clearly under-strength squad.
Now he is taking up the reins again at a progressive outfit who have designs on regaining National League status.
Harrison is likely to take a couple of familiar faces to Moorend with scrum half Dom Castle and hooker Steve Worsley also keen to return to their former stamping ground.
"Cleckheaton spoke to me last week and offered me the position of head coach," said Harrison.
"They wanted a quick decision as they had two or three other people in mind for the job.
"I had to bite the bullet and go for it."
Harrison had said he would have been happy to stay at Halifax and try to rebuild the squad.
However, uncertainty about which level the club will be operating at next season helped to force his hand.
"I spoke to Graham Allan prior to talking to Cleckheaton but he could not give me any assurances about where the club will be playing next season," added Harrison.
"That was no good to me because I am a coach and at the end of the day I need a team to coach.
"Graham could not tell me about budgets and things like that because he did not know himself.
"He thanked me for the help and work I had put in at Halifax but basically told me to look after myself."
Harrison revealed he had also been asked to apply for a job at Leeds Metropolitan University while Ilkley RUFC were also in the hunt to secure his services.
Former club Heath were also keen but Harrison believes that is a move for another day.
"I am a Heath man - that is my club," said Harrison. “I have no doubt that I will finish there in some capacity but at the moment I am keen to continue coaching at this level.”
The appointment will mark Harrison’s second spell as coach of Cleckheaton after he helped to guide them into the National League system in 2004.
And although the Moorend outfit managed to maintain their North One status despite finishing third bottom last season, Harrison is excited about the prospect of working at a progressive thinking club.
“I had a good open chat with the senior people there and I have said that they should not expect instant miracles.
“There is a lack of quality in certain areas but I will have the chance to recruit and build links between the club’s various teams.
“Then, hopefully, in two or three years we will be in a position where we can be challenging for promotion again.”
Harrison admitted that last sesason had taken its toll on him but was feeling re-vitalised with his new appointment.
“It was only at the back end of the season when I really felt downbeat,” said Harrison. “But I am looking forward to the new challenge.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am feeling pretty upbeat about things now.”
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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