Anthony Murray, who left his role as head coach at Whitehaven a week ago, has joined the coaching staff with Championship rivals Swinton Lions.
Murray, who had previously coached Workington Town, had a brief stint as a player with Swinton in 2002.
He has linked up with Swinton as an assistant to head coach Paul Wood and was with the team for yesterday’s home defeat by Newcastle Thunder.
In announcing his appointment, Swinton said that Murray had joined the squad at training last week and “made a fantastic impression with the group, bringing fresh energy and valuable experience to the coaching team.”
Head coach Wood said: “Anthony Murray has come on board and is going to join the coaching staff.
“He was with us last week — he came down to training and added loads of energy. He’s been brilliant and brought an outside view and perspective.
I’m really looking forward to working with him going forward and I think we will work well together. We have a good team on the sidelines with myself, Mickey Higham and Muzza.”
Murray, who is 48, said: “I am really proud to be joining the coaching staff at Swinton.
“It’s a great opportunity to work with a talented young squad in a very competitive division. I’m looking forward to helping the players continue to develop and doing everything I can to support the head coach and the rest of the staff.”
One of the reasons Murray quit his role at Whitehaven was the increasing pressure of his day job, combined with the travelling to Whitehaven two to three times a week from his Wigan home.
He expressed the hope then that he would get back into the game in a supportive role – and nearer home, with the Swinton club only 20 minutes away.
Murray told Cumbria Crack: “It’s much closer to home and honestly that was the only reason I left Whitehaven.
“I have loved my time in Cumbria, a place I will always hold close to my heart, meeting such great people while I was there.”
