Rosslyn Park skipper Hugo Ellis said it was no surprise that head coach James Buckland was relieved of his duties last week.

The club has yet to make an official announcement to fans about the circumstances of Buckland’s departure, amid rumours he was sacked.

Buckland became head coach at the Rock in the summer, hoping to build on successive runner-up spots under Alex Codling.

However, despite a good start to the season, Park are now languishing in eighth in National League One.

Ellis confirmed he and the players were told of Buckland’s departure last Thursday.

He said: “It has been a very disappointing season, for the past two years we have finished second and we pushed two professional teams in Doncaster and Ealing all the way.

“This year has there no professional teams in the division, and it was primed for us to do well, but the world does not always work that way and it has been disappointing on that front.”

He added: “It was not a surprise [Buckland’s departure], as we’d lost something like seven out of the past 11 games, and with the squad that we have it is nowhere near good enough.”

For the time being, Ellis said the coaching staff will take over until the end of the season, and it started well with a 22-16 win over Coventry on Saturday.

Ellis added: “The whole place was a lot more positive, you could see it in training on Thursday and on Saturday.

“Everybody had smiles on their faces and were enjoying themselves again, and it was a good win against a decent Coventry side.”