FORMER rugby league player Simon Atkin is to captain Keighley's rugby union team in the coming season.

Simon, who is a police sergeant based in Keighley, began playing rugby with local amateur team Keighley Albion as a teenager and played the Union code while serving in the RAF.

After leaving the forces he returned to Keighley and the 13-a-side game, playing with Keighley Celtic, but then joined the rugby union club at Utley.

"I started playing in the fifth team, but in the last three years have been a regular member of the first team squad. It is a great honour to be asked to be captain," he said.

After a disappointing last season he expects to see big improvements this term.

"Last year a lot of young players were thrown in at the deep end, but this time we a number of experienced players are returning to the club and the youngsters will have developed."

Martin Whitcombe and Tim Brunskill are to continue as coaches, preparing the team for the re-organised league structure.

"We will be playing in the new Yorkshire One division which will see us playing derby games almost every weekend, taking on old rivals like Brodlians and North Ribblesdale -- true amateur clubs just like Keighley.

"It will give us a chance to find our true level. Last year we suffered with quite a lot of injuries, but if we stay injury-free we should have a good season this time," he said.