Head coach Stanley Gene leaves Newcastle Thunder

Newcastle Thunder have announced the departure of head coach Stanley Gene.

The former Papua New Guinea international, who coached the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in the 2010 Four Nations Series, was out of contract and has left the Kingstone Press League 1 club with immediate effect.

This comes less than a fortnight after the 41-year-old said that he wanted to remain with the Kingston Park club.

Gene, a favourite with Hull Kingston Rovers for most of his playing career, which also included spells at Hull FC Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls, guided Thunder to the League 1 play-offs in 2014, his first season in charge.

This year the Thunder's early-season good form gave way to a second-half slump, seeing them end the year in a disappointing eighth place in the 14-team division.

Newcastle chairman Bill Midgeley said: "Stanley has done a good job over the last two seasons, helping to progress the club up to where it is today.

We have, however, agreed that we are at a point in time where both parties feel they can progress further by going their separate ways.

I'd like to take the time to thank Stanley for all his work here at Thunder and wish him all the very best for the future."

The club have confirmed they will be advertising for a new head coach very soon.