DAN HYDE is to leave Huddersfield Rugby Union Club at the end of the season.
The head coach, who has served the club both as player and coach for the last four years, has decided the time is right to move on, and has been offered, and accepted, the post of head coach at Leodiensians for next season.
“My heart is still at Huddersfield, which is where I began my playing career, but I feel that I’ve taken the club as far as I’m able, and moving to Leos will allow me to spend more time with my family,” reflected Hyde, who both lives and works in Leeds.
Huddersfield have yet to appoint a successor, but Lee Paxman has taken over the reins as first team manager, along with skipper Nick Sharpe.
“We made a big effort to change the focus on senior rugby over the last three months and presented a new structure and framework going forward, to the rugby committee, but unfortunately, given the current financial constraints they felt unable to be in a position to replicate what we were trying to do.
“It has been an extremely challenging season this year, given a couple of departures and a host of injuries to key personnel and it has been frustrating at the numbers we have had turning up for training.
“But I have to say that at the core of the team has been fantastic heart and spirit, and even going into Saturday’s final scheduled League game (there is still at least one re-arrangement to fit in) the boys have fought all the way, putting their bodies on the line right up to the final whistle.
“Huddersfield is a fantastic facility and sustainability without having to rely on a ‘sugar daddy’ as has often been the case at some clubs.
“Hopefully, when the financial climate begins to pick up, the club will be able to start renting out the properties down at Lockwood Park, which, along with the help from Kirklees who took over the gym, will continue the good work begun by Carrie France, who is doing a tremendous job on the promotions and sponsorship side of the operation.
“The players have a never-say-die attitude, and Huddersfield need to keep that rugby club feel, with everyone pitching in together and retain that all-important craic.”
Hyde is an associate at Leeds-based Property Retail Consultants, Knight Frank, and his appointment at Yorkshire II side Leos will certainly be a convenient move for the former England international, who during his illustrious career had a spell at Leeds Tykes.
“There is nothing to say that in the future, should we move the family home to Huddersfield, that I wouldn’t be tempted back to get involved at Lockwood Park once more,” added Hyde.
“But dropping down a few levels to Yorkshire II will mean it is a bit more social and I’m looking forward to the new challenge, and to spending more time with my wife Lena and my two daughters.
“Huddersfield have two fantastic men in Lee Paxman and Nick Sharpe, and I’m sure the club can utilise the experience and expertise of Gaz Lewis in a coaching capacity, and I really do wish the club all the best for the future.”
Hyde had to utilise himself in the unusual position as inside centre in Saturday’s 57-19 defeat at Caldy following an injury to Mike Clark.
Although they conceded another half-century of points, Huddersfield did at least have the consolation of scoring three tries, the first a penalty try, converted by Joel Hinchliffe.
Nick Sharpe then confirmed his status as the side’s leading try-scorer by notching the second on the day, while Ross Thornton added a third, again converted by Hinchliffe.
