ONE of the key figures in Ilkley’s successive league title triumphs has left the club.

Player-coach Steve Graham has returned to National League One outfit Wharfedale after two highly-successful seasons at Stacks Field.

The Dalesmen won Yorkshire One and the Yorkshire Shield in Graham’s first campaign and followed up by winning North One East earlier this year.

His place on the coaching team has been taken by the former Harrogate forward Nathan Smith who made his full debut for Ilkley last Saturday in the home defeat by Birkenhead Park. Head of rugby Rhys Morgan said: “Steve has done a fine job for us both on and off the field, but he wanted to move on.

“He has his ambitions and we agreed to release him with our best wishes.

“I am sure that once he stops playing he will become a head coach somewhere. In Nathan we have somebody who has been able to step in immediately who has the experience to do a good job”

Wharfedale have named Graham among their replacements for their home game with Hartpury College this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ilkley will be looking to halt their run of two defeats at Rossendale who are also new to National Three North after winning promotions from North One West.

Skipper Josh Kimber is on holiday and misses the game but experienced forward Ian McKenzie returns and will lead the side.

The players have been working hard in training and Smith has been concentrating on a number of areas where the Ilkley pack were found wanting against Birkenhead Park.

Morgan said: “We lost our way and there are definite areas of our forward play that we need to address.

“This is a tough league and you cannot afford to allow your standards to slip in any part of your game as the opposition sides are capable of exploiting it.”