TOM McGee is returning to Wharfedale as head coach.

He replaces Jon Feeley, who, due to a promotion at work, can no longer give as much time as he would like to the role.

Ironically, McGee, who was head coach at The Avenue from 2010-13, was himself replaced by Feeley, the good friends having worked together for a season in 2012-13 when the latter was backs coach for the Greens.

Feeley will not be disappearing, however, admitting at Wharfedale's annual dinner last Friday in the clubhouse that he will "help out Tom as and when needed", although the pacy former back says he has no formal title.

Thurso-born McGee, 35, was coach at Leeds Met University before he was in charge of the Dalesmen previously, having propped for Boroughmuir, Edinburgh and the Borders before moving to Leeds Carnegie.

He then retired from playing and, after his initial stint with the Greens, moved to Leeds Carnegie as assistant coach in May 2013, working under James Lowes and Gary Mercer at Headingley before taking temporary charge when the latter was put on gardening leave.

McGee was then shown the door himself in March prior to Bryan Redpath's appointment.

Wharfedale's rugby chairman Michael Harrison said at the dinner in the clubhouse: "Jon has been a great addition and I would like to publically thank him for all he has done for the last two years.

"He is a calming influence. He is the voice of reason in the changing rooms, although he has lost his temper once or twice!"

Feeley said: "Journalists ask me – not the local journalists – when is the fairy-tale going to end for Wharfedale? (in terms of playing at level three for 20 successive seasons), and that annoys me.

"It is not a fairy-tale. We are where we expect to be. It is about character and resilience.

"We used six fly halves this season, including a 39-year-old (Andy Hodgson) who was man of the match in our last two performances.

"Our dressing room was like a field hospital at times but our character has been phenomenal.

"The spirit of the club is tangible. It is out there on the pitch, it is in the hut and it is in the very soil that our forefathers left for us.

"It has been an absolute pleasure to have coached this club, and incredibly humbling knowing that the players are putting themselves in harm's way every week, so I want to give a thank you to the players.

"Scott Jordan lives ten minutes away from the club that he plays for (Preston Grasshoppers) but wants to come back to us even though that involves a long drive to training because it isn't the same not playing for us."

Harrison added: "A total of 157 players pulled on the Wharfedale shirt this season, and that is something to be proud of.

"The secret of this club is continuity, and that is exemplified by Chris Baker, who has given 65 years of service to the club, including 63 on the committee, and has been absolutely unbelievably generous with his time.

"Remember two things – that rugby is to be enjoyed, and that can be forgotten; and that ambition is important, which means we are going for promotion."

First-team skipper James Doherty, who rose on the morning of the dinner feeling right for the first time in over a week after being tip-tackled in the Yorkshire Cup final against Harrogate, said: "The way that the Colts won the National Plate final in added time with a try following 30 phases showed true Wharfedale spirit.

"We have very little hierarchy here, and long may that continue.

"We are not at level three because of what we have read on the back of a cereal packet. We are there because we deserve to be."

Club president John Spencer said: "We have two characteristics in spadefuls – courage and loyalty – and remember that you only borrow the jersey, and you should make it as difficult as possible for someone to take it from you but you should leave it in good heart."

Yorkshire Premiership Merit Table winners Wharfedale Foresters, who Harrison said "contribute absolutely to the club" won the Kath Harrison Trophy with 82 per cent of their matches won, although they were pushed hard by the third team with their 79 per cent.

Paul Marklew won the Damian Foley Trophy for the most important contribution to the third or fourth team, while Jake Parkinson won the David Palin Trophy as the most improved player.