PILKINGTON Recs are back at the top table of amateur rugby league after securing promotion to the National Conference Premier Division.

The Red, Amber and Blacks have been out of the top flight since 1991 – a long time for a club who ruled the roost in the 70s and early 80s and they even gave Wigan and Castleford a fright or two.

The Recs have been climbing back year-on-year, even coping with the move from their City Road home, but are now finally back with the amateur game’s elite.

Coach Kurt Haggerty is delighted with the achievement, especially as it has been delivered ahead of schedule – three years into the five-year plan.

Haggerty, who plays professionally at Championship outfit Leigh Centurions, was full of praise for the dedication shown by his players in achieving promotion.

He said: “When I was training myself with Centurions the lads were doing their own thing.

“They love training and are mithering me for extra sessions which is making my job easier.

“Over the years we have lost some big key players in Ryan Rogers, Ste Charleson and Richard Rafferty, but we had others to come in. We have knuckled down and done extra sessions and that has paid off.”

Recs will swap places with Thatto Heath, who were relegated from the Premier Division, which will deny a head-to-head for local bragging rights.

“I have said for the last couple of years that Pilks were the best team in town and it was just getting up there to the top to say it,” said Haggerty.

“Thatto Heath have now dropped down and Blackbrook are staying where they are in Division Two after losing their play-off game.

“It is a nice title to have but we need to work hard to keep it that way.”

Having watched a few Leigh Miners games, Haggerty realises that the standard at the elite amateur level is high.

However he is confident his squad can live with it.

The upheaval from the move from their City Road home of decades has seemingly had little effect on their playing performances, and they have settled in well at their new base.

“We would still love to be at City Road because that was home, but we have taken Ruskin and made that into our home now,” continued Haggerty.

“The facilities and clubhouse are fantastic and the pitch is good.

“It has worked well for our juniors too. It is is a bonus but we do miss City Road.”

Despite the leap in demands of top flight rugby to prepare for, Haggerty does not plan on curtailing the off-season habits of some of his players who play the 15-man code in the winter break.

“I do have a couple of players over at LSH – Ian Stanley and Greg Smith, while Mike Garrity goes over and plays at Widnes Rugby Union.

“The rule I have is that they can play union but I do want them back for the first pre-season session.

“This year we will have the Challenge Cup games again for us – and we did really well last year.”

Haggerty, aged 26, was quick to pay tribute to the players – not just in the first team – who have helped make the club reap the rewards.

“I must give praise to our second team who have gone really well and work hard in training,” he said.

“Having 32 in training makes it really competitive and I have played second team players in the first team this year.

“I am a relatively young coach, it works well because I know the young lads personally – even the older ones like John Rees and Mark Ashton.

“It is fantastic getting Pilks back up there again. We have the old guard who come down and watch – the Arkies and Jimmy Dooleys of this world give us a lot of support and maybe some stick at times, but we have high standards to play to.

“We belong at the top.”