STEVE Hampson is to take on the coaching role at newly promoted Lancashire Lynx following the shock departure of manager Kevin Tamati.

Tamati had masterminded Lynx's recent Second Division title success but was axed after he could not agree new terms with the club's board.

The New Zealander is bitterly disappointed to be leaving Deepdale after meeting an ultimatum to get Lynx promoted to Division One.

"I knew the parameters. I knew that if we didn't get promoted I would be out of a job anyway but when we were top of the league and I was confident of winning the division I thought at least I had got a job for another 12 months. Then bump, this comes straight between the eyes," he said.

"I felt it was going to flourish into bigger and better things but unfortunately it's not to be. I know the club is ambitious to do well but it's disappointing that I'm not geing to be there."

He does, however, leave on a high note. "The history books tell the story and that can't be taken away from me."

Lynx are believed to be doing away with the manager's job and employing solely a coach with Hampson doing the job which starts with a European tournament over the next few weeks.

It therefore appears to be a cost-cutting measure to dispose of Tamati with the club, which comes under the auspices of the plc running both Lynx and Preston North End, looking to make a profit.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.