COACH Dave Duxbury is confident that he has left Skipton in better shape than he found them.

The 52-year-old, who is taking over at neighbours Keighley, helped them to promotion from Yorkshire Division Four.

The Reds also reached the Yorkshire Silver Trophy final, where they were beaten 36-22 by Old Otliensians at Bradford Salem last Wednesday.

Duxbury, who replaced Mark Wharton at Sandylands in November 2015, said: "I was asked to sort it out and take them forward, and I think that we (Dave Hoyle and I) have achieved that.

"When I took over we were second from bottom and struggling to get one side out, but now we are getting three sides out regularly and have won promotion and reached the Silver Trophy final – job done."

Duxbury added: "I think that the club know which direction they want to go in for a new coach and, as far as I am aware, they are not losing any players.

"It will be a different challenge but I think they will survive comfortably."

Duxbury, who has also gained promotion with Baildon – taking them to Twickenham twice – and West Park Leeds, is being assisted at Keighley by player-coach James Cunliffe, who has joined the Rose Cottage side from Bradford Salem.

Duxbury said: “I see it as great opportunity to work at a club which I know well.

"On a personal note, it feels like I have come full circle as I played all my junior rugby at the old ground.

“The club has a strong group both on and off the field, helping with the continued development of local talent.

“We can’t place enough emphasis on the importance of the integration of Keighley’s developing player programme into the senior section to continue this work.”

Keighley director of rugby Russ Gibson said of Duxbury: “He has experience with playing on a 3G pitch with West Park, which will be invaluable as we transition from grass to an artificial pitch this coming season."

On Skipton's Facebook page, they said: "The club and everyone involved wishes David Duxbury every success as he moves on to develop his own career and a huge thank you for guiding us to success."