John Bentley has stood down as director of rugby at Cleckheaton.

The request to the 41-year-old former British Lion was made by the club who felt he has been "unable to give the necessary commitment which the role demands".

Head coach David Harrison has also stood down and been replaced by veteran second row John Dudley.

And while Cleckheaton aren't expected to replace Bentley as director of rugby, it is expected that both Dudley and Bentley will continue to be available as players.

Bentley, who starred for the Lions in their 1997 series win in South Africa, had been in the post for eight years and had taken the club from Yorkshire Division One to National League Three North - a rise of three divisions.

However, Cleckheaton were relegated last season back into North One.

Cleckheaton RUFC's statement said: "Following a highly successful period at Cleckheaton RUFC, John Bentley has been asked to step down from his role as director of rugby with immediate effect.

"It has been viewed that, due to his mounting commitments both within the world of rugby and in other spheres, John has been unable to give the necessary commitment which the role demands.

"John has been the major figurehead in the club's ambitious assault on the achievement of National League status and, as a result of the club's unprecedented success, will be regarded by all as an icon of Cleckheaton RUFC.

"As both a rugby celebrity and a passionate supporter of the Cleckheaton cause, John will remain an established part of the club's fabric, with his involvement being without the pressure necessarily imposed by the high-profile role."

Bentley is involved in marketing with Leeds Carnegie and is an after-dinner speaker.

Cleckheaton spokesman Alan Bentley, who was not involved in drafting the statement, said: "Our head coach David Harrison has left the club.

"He was John's choice as head coach and he has been replaced by John Dudley, who is the most qualified coach at the club and who already works for the RFU in a coaching and development role.

"I also understand that Cleckheaton are going to announce another coach this week - probably someone to look after the backs.

"A lot of players at Cleckheaton understandably have a lot of loyalty to John Bentley, but we expect the players to now rally around John Dudley."