Hornets part company with coach

Rochdale Hornets have today, Monday 9 July, sacked coach Darren Abram after Hornets' defeat at Halifax yesterday. Hornets were smashed by 54 points to 8 at the Shay, a result that leaves them second from bottom in Co-Operative National League One.

The end had been nigh for Abram as Hornets lost twice in a month without scoring a single point in either game, losing 32-0 to Widnes and 24-0 to Sheffield.

The Hornets coach offered his resignation to the board after the Sheffield game, after being abused by fans during the match, but the board refused to terminate his contract.

Abram issued an apology to the media ahead of the Sheffield defeat but his team did not respond and it became clear after yesterday's defeat that Abram was not the man to reverse Hornets' fortunes.

Abram said after the Halifax defeat: quot;I was totally embarrassed with some of the players. Not all of them, but there were only a few players out there with any enthusiasm and it's not on."

The players will have to show renewed enthusiasm under the new coach if they are to avoid relegation to National League Two; if relegation was to occur it could throw the club into turmoil given their poor financial situation and dwindling support. The new manager will have just seven games to avoid relegation.

The former Leigh coach had been in charge at Spotland since November 2005. He guided Leigh to the Super League in 2004 but they were relegated after just one season in the top flight, having won only two games in the entire campaign.

Abram has been sacked just ten days before Hornets play Dewsbury live on Sky television.

Fans have made an early call for Bobbie Goulding to return to the club after he left in November 2005, citing frustration at the club's financial problems.