THE Basingstoke Bison have re-signed their coaching team for another campaign, with the news Ashley Tait and Tony Redmond will be back.

However, for next season Tait will be head coach only and no longer a player, bringing to an end an illustrious career which started back in Nottingham in 1990.

The 46-year-old went on to become one of the top players of his generation, being part of numerous league, play-off and cup winning teams.

He joined the Bison in the Autumn of 2018 and in total made 167 appearances and picked up 212 points.

In his last play-off campaign for the Herd which finished last month, he was the club’s top British points scorer.

Tait said: “I feel this is the right time for me to stop playing and I am happy with my decision.

“It will of course make the coaching role very different as I am no longer playing. I think we under achieved so much this year, so we have something to build on.”

The head coach is delighted that his assistant Redmond is returning. The popular Scot is known as ‘Mr Basingstoke’ as he holds the record for the most appearances for the club.

Tait said: “Having Tosh back is great for the team as people under estimate the need to have a sounding board to see what is going right and wrong. It is a lot for one person to take on so I am really pleased he has agreed to return.”

The league finale last weekend saw the Sheffield Steeldogs upset the form guide to take the play-off crown in Coventry, beating Milton Keynes in the final, after semi-final success over Telford.