Doncaster Knights reveal new head coach as Clive Griffiths' impending departure is confirmed

The former fans’ favourite returned to Castle Park in the summer in a coaching capacity and will succeed Clive Griffiths who, as expected, will step down as director of rugby at the end of the season.

In-depth interview with Clive Griffiths as Welshman enters what is set to be final season at Doncaster Knights

Boden, who was previously head coach at Yorkshire Carnegie, will officially take charge in May but will immediately begin work on recruitment for next season with support from Griffiths.

Knights benefactors Steve Lloyd and Tony De Mulder said in a statement: “By mutual agreement, the Board of Doncaster RFC and Clive Griffiths have determined that the current season will be Clive’s last engagement as Director of Rugby at the Club.

“In turn, the Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Boden as Head Coach to manage all aspects of The Knights and strive to capitalise on the many years Clive has been involved and take the Club forward into the ever changing world of professional rugby.

“As all supporters and the wider rugby world will know, Clive has spent two stints at Castle Park totalling nine years at the helm.

“The Board of DRFC Ltd know they speak for the Club as a whole in expressing a massive thanks to him for all he has achieved during his tenure as Director of Rugby with notable highs being the resurrection of the Club from National League 1 back into the Championship; a successful British and Irish Cup campaign to get the Knights into the final; and, probably the greatest of all achievements, to play a home and away final against Bristol Rugby for promotion to the dizzy heights of Premiership League rugby – only to miss out, against the vastly more significantly funded opposition, by a couple of scores, losing at Castle Park but winning, with one of the peak performances of Clive’s reign, at Ashton Gate, Bristol.

“But life has to go on and Clive’s “hard act to follow” is already determined via the promotion of Steve Boden, recently returned to the coaching team, to be Head Coach of the whole professional set up from May 2020, whilst taking charge of the creation of next season’s squad with immediate effect, with the full backing of Clive.

“Steve has returned to us for his second stint after a successful playing period as Knights’ hooker making over 100 appearances for the club. The Board have every confidence that he will put his heart and soul, plus undoubted expertise, into the ongoing story of Doncaster Rugby Football Club.

“To Clive we say “we will miss you and there will always be a welcome in the hillside of Doncaster”; whilst, to Steve we say “aspire high, produce the goods, and you will be given all possible backing to achieve further successes with The Knights”.

To all involved at DRFC we say “embrace the change and help to create the future.”