KERN Yates, currently Sedgley Park's longest serving player, will be the first member of the double winning side to leave the Park Lane outfit.

Yates, who has just completed his fifth season with the Tigers, is taking up a new job opportunity.

"He is unsure as to what commitment he can give to rugby, so rather than let anyone down he has decided to move on and will be joining Cleckheaton," explained Park president Geoff Roberts

"He has been an absolutely super lad to deal with, he is a quality player and a quality person and we will miss having him around, we wish him all the best for the future."

With flanker Yates going, the search for a replacement begins, along with at least another 10 players, as the Tigers gear up to face the full-time professional set-ups of many National One teams.

With the club Sedgley are replacing in National One - Manchester - looking at an uncertain future, along with Lancashire neighbours Orrell, there could be rich pickings close to home, although Park is spreading it's net far and wide in the search for playing talent, and that includes the Premiership.

Two players already in talks with Sedgley are the Wilkes brothers.

Both number eight David, and flanker Richard are out of contract, with David set to leave Manchester, and former Sale Shark Richard free to depart Orrell.

However, Park are not the only club chasing the pair and a deal for both or either of them is still far from being completed.

While Manchester appear resigned to losing David, Orrell are believed to be trying to hold on to Richard, who is also attracting attention from other top sides.