Phil Maynard has made a dramatic return to professional rugby as director of rugby for National One outfit Coventry.
The former Pertemps Bees, Stourbridge and Worcester supremo has been out of the sport for 18 months since being made redundant at Sharmans Cross Road in December 2006.
During that time he has been working as a player agent and coaching junior club Kings Norton and many felt his long career had come to an end.
But after extensive negotiations with Coventry chairman Andrew Green, Maynard has agreed a two-year deal and been charged with bringing some stability to Butts Park Arena.
His first task will be to retain the services of last season’s interim head coach Dave Addleton and find a backs coach following the departure of Brett Davey midway through last term.
