HUDDERSFIELD Giants have been left stunned by the resignation of assistant coach Billy McGinty just a week before the start of Super League IX.

The 39-year-old former Wigan star has taken the decision due to family reasons.

McGinty moved to the McAlpine four months ago after quitting as head coach of National League Workington Town and admitted he has enjoyed every minute of his time in West Yorkshire.

But the Blackburn-based father-of-one felt the demands on his time proved too great.

"I know this may seem a strange thing to say right now, but I have had a fantastic time at the club," he said.

"Giants head coach Jon Sharp is probably the most knowledgeable I have ever worked with and he has taken this squad on to another level.

"But such is the high standards he sets that the demands on my time were getting greater and greater and I found it was affecting my family life.

"Because I live in Lancashire I was leaving before 6am and not getting home until 8pm.

"I wasn't seeing my seven-year-old daughter, Heather, at all during the week and that wasn't fair on her or my wife Corrine.

"I do work hard and I'm happy to do so, but there comes a point where you have to take stock and do what you believe is right. This seems right.

"But I would like to stress again that I have no regrets about my time here."

Sharp was today considering whether to search for a new assistant, but he is fully behind McGinty's reasons for going.

"Billy is a quality person who's brought much to the team, but he has made this decison for all the right reasons," he said.