PAUL March is more determined than ever to guide Cougars back into the Championship following their heartbreaking Play-Off Final defeat to Swinton.

Sunday’s agonising 29-28 loss to the Lions denied March and twin brother David a fairytale ending to their playing careers before their retirement.

But Paul will continue to hold the coaching reins at Cougar Park and has vowed to return the club back to the second tier in 2016.

He said: “It’s the right time now to give up playing and concentrate on my coaching.

“It has been a bit difficult for David this year because he’s had a few injuries, but it was good that we got to play together in our final game on Sunday.

“I thought he played his part then, like everybody else did.

“It’s a big hole to fill without us both, but we’ve had our time as players and it’s up to others to come in and make sure they have their time as well.

“I’m more determined than ever to get the club back up after what has happened this season.

“That disappointment will drive us forward and I’ve got the backing of Gary Fawcett, Neil Cullen and Simon Harrison, who will take the club forward off the field and it’s up to me to do it on the field.”

March admits it will be strange to not be able to influence his team as a player any longer.

“It’s a tough one because I think the players react a bit better when I am on the field,” he said.

“They will get used to me being on the sideline and I’ll have to get used to that as well.

“That will probably be the toughest thing – being stood on the touchline and directing the team as opposed to actually being out there as a player.

“I’m disappointed there was no fairytale ending but I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“We’re a tight-knit squad anyway and what has happened this season with losing Jonesy (Danny Jones) has just made us a lot tighter.”

Cougars have snapped up Hull KR forward Sonny Esslemont while the bulk of the current squad are set to remain at Cougar Park, with Aussie Brendon Rawlins signing a new two-year deal.

That will take him up to 11 years of service for Cougars and will see him earn his testimonial in the 2017 season. The fans favourite made his 200th appearance for the club last Sunday.

Others to sign new 12-month deals in the last week include Jesse Sheriffe, Jode Sheriffe and Sean Kelly, while Liam Darville is also being retained. However, Josh Guzdek has signed for Dewsbury Rams, while fellow loanee Samir Tahraoui will head back to Bradford Bulls.

March added: “Even before Sunday’s game, we had a squad ready to compete in whichever league we were in.

“Yes, we are staying in League One but we still have a Championship squad signed up and I’m looking forward to it.

“Losing to Oldham and Swinton in these two finals is going to take some getting over, but come November time the hard work starts.”