WOLVES’ players have let down departing head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith, captain Chris Hill admits.

Smith will leave The Wire at the end of the season, bringing his eight-and-a-half year spell at The Halliwell Jones Stadium to a conclusion.

After a 2016 campaign that saw them lift the League Leaders’ Shield and reach both major finals, Wolves have desperately underachieved this year and were forced to battle for Super League survival in the Middle 8s.

Five wins from five Qualifiers games have seen them secure their top-flight status, but Smith has paid the price for a season riddled with poor results and performances.

Wolves skipper Hill says the players wanted the 50-year-old to stay on and admits they have to accept responsibility for what has happened.

“We’ve let Tony down this year. There’s no question about that,” he said.

“It’s not just Tony we’ve let down either. It’s the board, the fans, everyone associated with the club.

“After all that happened last year, we’ve underachieved and we have to take ownership of that.

“Tony doesn’t go out on the field and play, we do. We have to accept responsibility.

“Of course, I wanted Tony to stay and so did the rest of the lads, but it’s a result-based industry.

“Look at Crystal Palace’s manager in the football, he’s just been sacked after four games! Results are the be all and end all.

“We did have injuries, with Stef and me missing the start of the year and Ben Currie missing pretty much all of it, but we cannot use that as an excuse.

“Every team has injuries but it hasn’t derailed others like it has us.”

Having been brought to Warrington by Smith from then-Championship outfit Leigh Centurions, Hill has gone on to establish himself as one of England’s leading props under his guidance.

The 29-year-old says he “owes his career” to the Australian and admits he was “deeply saddened” when he heard of the decision to part ways with Smith via a phone call from chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick on Sunday morning.

“I owe Tony my career, it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“I will always be grateful for what he has done for me. Without him, I don’t think I’d have got as far as I have.

“Maybe I would have got to Super League but I highly doubt I would have got to play for England.

“Fitzy phoned me up a couple of hours before the decision was announced and of course, I was deeply saddened by it.

“You only have to look at what he’s done for the club since joining to know how big an impact he’s made here.”

Ex-Wigan and South Sydney boss Michael Maguire and former Manly and Bradford coach Geoff Toovey have been installed as the early favourites to take over Smith’s position for 2018 and beyond.

Hill says he will give his input on the appointment process if asked and will “do what it takes” to ensure a smooth transition.

“We’ve got to rebuild. We know that and there’s a big job to do,” he said.

“It’s been a really bad year for us but we need to use it as a bit of a kick up the backside.

“I want the club to move forward and for that to happen, we need to make sure this appointment is the right one.

“If Simon (Moran, owner), Karl or anyone involved wants my opinion on any names that might be on the shortlist, I’d be happy to give my input.

“When the new coach does arrive, there will be a certain responsibility on senior players like myself to make sure things run smoothly and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Smith’s final away game in charge of The Wire takes place on Sunday when they travel to Featherstone Rovers.

Despite having already secured their Super League status, Hill says the players are determined to ensure Smith leaves on a high.

“We’re playing for personal and professional pride, as is the case every week,” he said.

“Featherstone will want to knock us off but we have to stand up to that.

“It’s been embarrassing for us in the past few weeks but we’ve got on with it.

“Now we want to finish on a high, for ourselves and for Tony.”