NEW BOSS DRAMA FOR DIAMONDS

NEWCASTLE have parted company with manager Darren Hartley on a dramatic press day at Brough Park.

The Diamonds have appointed Nigel Hinchliffe as their new boss – but they now have a fitness doubt over No.1 Ben Barker who suffered broken fingers in a practice crash.

Promoter Rob Grant explained: “It’s a far from ideal situation to have this happen one week before our first home meeting next Sunday, let alone the Cup first leg at Edinburgh on Friday, but we need guaranteed reliability, especially in such a critical position as team manager.

“We are fully indebted to Nigel’s quick decision, and we’re all excited to have him on board and working with him after his vast experience, with a wealth of knowledge of the rulebook with Sheffield over the last 30 years, so we know he will do a cracking job for us.

“We would like to put on record we genuinely wish Darren well for his future, but we were in a tricky situation, we had to change with immediate effect.”