KENDAL head coach Ian Thompson looks set to take a back seat at the club to help the Black and Ambers shake off their losing run and move up the table.

Kendal have not won a match since they beat Bradford and Bingley 39-32 on September 22, and Thompson felt that standing down from his coaching role could help his side buck their losing trend.

The existing coaching staff, which consists of Simon Mulholland, Ian Voortman, Garry Holmes and new signing Alistair Livesey, will take over first team matters for Saturday’s trip to Waterloo, who Kendal defeated earlier in the season.

“With the way results were going we felt we had to do something to get us out of the losing mindset we were in,” Thompson said.

“We felt we were picking the right team and we changed some of our training and warm-up methods but that wasn’t working so I felt it was in the best interests of the club to take a step back and shake it up.”

Thompson pointed towards the 48-24 defeat to Percy Park and the 46-7 loss against Sandal as examples of good work in training not being turned into gaining points in matches.

Thompson said he did not want to walk away from the club, and hopes he and club chairman Dr Stephen Green can come to an arrangement which will see him stay on at the club in more of an administrative capacity.

The club’s board will meet with Thompson over Christmas to thrash out a new role for the man affectionately known as ‘Gandhi’.

“I know people are always biased about their own teams but we have got a strong group of players who I think are capable of being one of the best teams in the division, not just avoiding relegation,” Thompson added.

“I’m happy to help the club in any way I can because Kendal mean an awful lot to me.”

Dr Stephen Green, chairman of the club, said: “I was disappointed but I respected his decision and I can see what he is trying to achieve for the club.

“I don’t feel it is his personal responsibility that the club is bottom of the table because there are all sorts of factors but generating change and giving us some impetus in a different direction can sometimes help in situations like this.”

Dr Green also said he was keen for Thompson to take on a different role at the club.

Meanwhile, Kendal’s postponed game away to Billingham on Saturday, December 8 has been re-arranged for Saturday, December 22.

Kendal have also welcomed back two new players to the club in the shape of Rob Quarry and Mark Bowman.