MARK Brennan makes the switch to the men’s game as the new head of coaching for Crosfields’ National Conference League side.

The 29-year-old takes over promoted Soap following Tony Benson’s return to his native New Zealand.

Brennan, a programme leader for sport at Cronton College, joins the Hood Lane outfit after success in women’s rugby league.

He had three trophy-laden years coaching Thatto Heath Ladies, the England Students women’s team and working with the Rugby Football League as the national women’s development coach.

Brennan, from St Helens, also had a spell as the head coach of Mancunians in the North West Merit League.

“The NCL team have made great strides under Tony and I am keen to push that on and take it to the next stage,” he said.

“Players from both open-age teams expect to be pushing for promotion from their respective leagues which is great to hear and we have a belief that we can achieve that this season.

Derby day to launch new season

“It’s clear this is a good place to be with good people. There is a huge junior section here with teams in every age group which shows the club must be doing something right at all levels.

“I am keen to help and support the junior section to produce a production line of players that want to play at Crosfields and enjoy playing their rugby.”

He will be casting his eye over the players’ performances ahead of the season’s start.

“We have some pre-season games planned in against Halton Hornets and Woolston, which will give me a good opportunity to see all players perform and allow them to stake a claim for a starting position as we have a big squad.

“They will all want an opportunity to play in our first game of the season in March which is a tough one at Millom.”

Brennan played his club rugby at Golborne in the back row or centre but an injury to his back limited his opportunities.

He did appear in the first Great Britain Teachers’ game against BARLA, going on to represent them five times as well as Lancashire Teachers on three occasions.

But after realising he had something to offer the sport as a coach, encouraging the development of junior players to progress into first-team regulars which is something he hopes to replicate in a new challenge at Crosfields.

Club stalwarts Ian Boden and Paul Williams will be taking over the Alliance team duties for the 2017 season.