Paul Redman, Weston Rugby Club’s head coach, is to step down at the end of the season.

WESTON Rugby Club’s head coach Paul Redman is to step down at the end of the season and the club is to take the opportunity to review its coaching structure in preparation for next season.

Weston are ninth in the SSE National Three South West table, but with five games remaining, four of them at home, they need 14 points to ensure they retain their league status.

Redman said: “I’ve always said that three years was the limit of a head coaches’ tenure - I did three and a half years at Bristol Saracens and left there on good terms and now I have had a similar time here at Weston.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here tremendously, but I think it is in everyone’s interest to let somebody else take the reigns.

Weston, the Somerset Cup holders, are through to the last four of this season’s competition where they will face either Hornets or North Petherton - the 2012 winners - on April 8.

In the other semi-final, Taunton will take on last season’s beaten finalists Old Redcliffians on April 1. The neutral venue for these ties has yet to be confirmed.

“The Somerset Cup is something special for me and the club, but taking over the reigns three and half years ago when we were really struggling, when relegation was staring at us, and we won a string of games and lifted the cup - that was really memorable,” added Redman.

“I am proud to have captained the Weston side and also proud to later to have the opportunity to coach the senior squad. I want to thank everyone at the club - players, coaches and back room staff - for their support.

Chairman of rugby Simon Godfrey paid tribute to Redman’s commitment and contribution to the club both as a coach and a former club captain. He stresses that the door is always open for him to return at some later stage.

“Paul has been a great asset to the club and will, I am sure, will be again in the future,” said Godfrey. “I having been planning for next season for some time plus being in talks with potential players and coaches.”

Redman will continue to work alongside joint head coach Steve Worrall until the end of the season.