SCOTT TAYLOR will leave Goole Vikings at the end of this season.
Taylor was appointed ahead of the club’s inaugural professional campaign on a two-year agreement and will depart at the end of that contract to take up an opportunity in Super League.
That is expected to be as an assistant coach with the ex-England prop’s former club Hull FC, under their incoming boss Steve McNamara.
In their first season, which was also his first as a professional head coach, Taylor steered the Vikings to eight victories in 18 League One games, and so far they have won three from 14 in the merged Championship.
The club say they have already been planning for a succession and have a new coaching structure in mind.
A statement from the Goole board said: “Scott has played a key role in the creation and development of the Goole Vikings and the club is extremely grateful for his dedication and commitment from day one.
“Building a professional club from scratch is no small task and Scott embraced that challenge wholeheartedly.
“He has been a positive role model for our players, staff and supporters, and his place in the club’s history is secure as the first head coach of the modern-day Vikings.
“The step up to the Championship has been significant and we recognise there are areas where we must continue to improve. Our succession planning has focused on ensuring we have a coaching structure in place that can deliver those improvements while remaining true to our identity and values – building upon the strong foundations laid by Scott, his staff and the players.
“We would like to personally thank Scott for his professionalism and contribution to the club’s development and wish him every success in the next stage of his coaching career.”
Taylor said: “I would like to thank the board, the staff, players, supporters and sponsors – all who have been an amazing part of two years together at the Vikings.
“From the dream to build a brand new professional rugby league team from scratch, it has been an absolutely crazy ride.
“We’ve had plenty of ups and downs, lots of challenges and some unbelievable moments and memories – I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“The support they have given me has been everything I needed in my first professional coaching role.
“We have so many achievements we can look back on and I’m so proud to be associated with the first two years of the club’s history.
“I think it’s been a huge success and we have plenty more work to do this season to leave the team in the best shape we can.
“Joining the Vikings and embarking on this adventure is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made – and I can’t wait to see them continue to grow in the future.”