Carl Forster, a key part of Whitehaven’s end-of-season revival, has been appointed player-coach at the Recreation Ground club.

The former St Helens and Salford Super League forward had been part of the four-man coaching team that took charge after James Coyle was sacked.

With Forster and Dave Allen on the field and local duo Scott McAvoy and Craig Calvert directing operations from the dugout, Whitehaven won three of their last five games.

Forster, 24, had signed an 18-month deal with Whitehaven when he joined the club midway through the season and made it clear he was happy to stay at the club, even though they were dropping into League One.

Whitehaven had interviewed three candidates before the end of the season but the directors had been impressed how the team had performed in the five games after Coyle left.

Chairman Tommy Todd said: “We are really pleased that Carl has agreed to take on the role of player-coach with the club.

"He has the respect of all the squad and was outstanding on the field in the closing matches of the season."