The former Warrington and Leigh winger had been in the job at Ledgard Avenue for three years, guiding the club to a Grand Final appearance  and a play-off position in his previous full terms.

"We'd like to announce the resignation of Head Coach Paul Wingfield," Rugby Chairman Dave Coyle said.

"He has taken a position with Rugby Union club Waterloo and we would like to wish him all the best. I'd also like to thank Paul for his efforts over the last few years behind the scenes in moving the club forward. He's done a sterling job with the committee."

"When he arrived a lot of players had moved on and he brought players through. It is testament to him that a lot of our previous Under 16s and Under 18s that played together are now playing in the first and second team."

"There's a lot of effort that has gone in from those players but Paul has assisted greatly with that. He moves with our best wishes."

Appointed as Wingfield's successor is Martin Roden who has worked alongside Paul and been on the field for much of his three year tenure. 

"We've had discussions with all the coaching staff that worked with Paul and we've appointed Martin Roden, assisted by Lee Rowley." Dave Coyle said. 

"Martin is very much up for the job and appropriately qualified to take the club forward. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes and we are officially making Ryan King Team Manager. He is going to look after the day-to-day contact with the players."

"Ryan will continue his involvement with the second team and we have other volunteers that are also helping with the second team. Kevin Anderton is still there and Dave Rudd who coaches the Under 16s is assisting."

"All these people have been involved for a few years. Martin came onboard a few years ago with Paul. Martin brought a lot of experience in from various professional clubs and via the conditioning part of the game and is happy to embrace a bigger role. We are happy to go along with that. We wish him all the best and the club will support him in any way we can."

Speaking after accepting the role Roden said, "I'm looking forward to it, it's a new challenge. The last time I was a head coach I was at Oldham, probably three years ago before I came down to Leigh East as assistant to Paul who has just left. I left Oldham and wasn't doing anything, so I said I would come and help him down here."

"I'm going to relish the challenge I've been an assistant for some time and was an assistant at Oldham, at Oxford, at Leigh. I'm my own man and am going to make a few subtle changes but myself and Paul are very close, we talked about everything, all the game plans, but there are just slight changes I will make.

"I'm a big believer that you have to test everyone in training as you would in a game so the conditioning side is massive. At this level it has helped us out a lot. We've had a lot of injuries and a lot of adversity this year and the conditioning of the fellas has helped to pull us through."

Speaking of Paul Wingfield, Roden added, "He's a great guy, he left no stone un-turned in preparation as the Head Coach here. He always had time for the lads and is just a great guy. He's going to be a big set of shoes to follow but I am my own guy, I'm a slightly different animal to Paul in terms of, I'm a bit more direct."