Dewsbury Rams today announces a new two-year contract for head coach Lee Greenwood, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2022 season.
The news was revealed exclusively to season ticket holders last week.
Greenwood arrived at The Tetley’s Stadium at the start of the 2019 season and quickly built a squad from the bare bones, before guiding the club to Championship safety that year.
He was instrumental in the recruitment of players such as Joe Martin, Frazer Morris, Andy Gabriel and Tom Garratt, as the team pulled off the wins needed for survival, including the stellar victories away at Featherstone Rovers and Widnes Vikings.
A number of changes followed and at the end of that season there were several new arrivals for 2020, as Greenwood added strength and depth to what was an already good squad.
Among the arrivals for this year were Jon Magrin, Davey Dixon, Connor Scott and Chris Annakin, and the new-look team appeared capable of big things, winning four out of their first six matches in League and Cup before the season suspension.
Greenwood’s vision for the club has also helped deliver benefits off the field through projects including the improvement of the players’ gym and the introduction of a wrestle room.
These projects have been supported by the club’s much-valued army of volunteers, including the stadium working party and The Amber Ribbon.
Greenwood said: “I’m really happy to be staying at Dewsbury for at least the next two years.
“I have nothing but positive words to say about everyone at our club, from the board, staff and our supporters.
“Everyone has been very supportive and understanding of the challenges myself and the club have.
“I’m sure there were some people having doubts during last season but the main objective of staying in the Championship was achieved whilst I learnt the things that needed to be changed to move us forward.
“The goal is for us to progress year on year and become a real force in the Championship.
“I believe we have made huge strides within the mentality of the playing group since last season and had made a strong start to the 2020 campaign before Coronavirus hit.
“It is important we can pick up from where we left off once play resumes, whenever that may be.
“We did really well to put the current squad and coaching staff together on the budget we had and there is some real quality and hunger within this playing group.
“I’m hopeful that being able to work with those finances for 2020 will help us next season, especially when you think about the financial restraints that the majority of clubs will face.
“We have created a culture here now that symbolises Dewsbury as a town – a hard-working mentality, no favours expected and, more importantly, good people.
“Players and coaches that want to be a part of that future will know they have to slot into this, but it creates an environment that not many will want to leave.
“I have ambitions to coach full time in the future and if that can be done at Dewsbury then that would be the perfect result.
“There is so much already in place here, so, with some smart planning and success on the pitch, I believe it is a realistic goal.
“For now, we will continue to try to get stronger on and off the field.”
Rams owner and Chairman Mark Sawyer added: “We are delighted to be able to tie Lee down for the next couple of seasons.
“He put together a quality team for this year with far from the biggest budget in the game.
“It is a testament to his standing and to his coaching skills that players both those who want to make a name for themselves in the game and those who have already played at a higher level want to come to Dewsbury and help the club move forward.
“I have the utmost respect for his professionalism and the way he interacts with supporters, both on match days and other events we’ve staged during his time here.
“I am very confident in his ability and think that there are some good times to come at Dewsbury Rams once we finally resume playing.”
