Aviva Premiership
Hetherington admits Leeds mistakes
ESPNscrum Staff
June 9, 2011
Leeds coach Neil Back consoles his players, Northampton Saints v Leeds Carnegie, Aviva Premiership, Franklin's Gardens, Northampton, England, May 7, 2011
Leeds suffered final day heartbreak © Getty Images
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Leeds Carnegie chief executive Gary Hetherington has admitted that the club got the balance wrong in the 2010-11 season.

Despite a late rally, Leeds found themselves relegated on the final day of the season in heart-breaking fashion, losing out to Newcastle on points difference.

Hetherington now wants the club to bounce back into the Aviva Premiership at the first attempt and will look to the local talent pool to aid their promotion push.

Since the end of the season, head coach Neil Back has left the side and has been replaced by Diccon Edwards and Hetherington is now happy with the balance.

"There has been some significant changes to the staff following our relegation and we have had a fairly major restructure," Hetherington said.

"I think it's fair to say that last year we had the balance wrong, we had a very big backroom staff and that inevitably meant that we couldn't put as much money into the playing squad but we have now taken the decision to downsize the number of support staff we have and we are confident that those that remain are totally committed and enthusiastic about the club's future."

"Our goal for the team is to win promotion at the first attempt. We have had different strategies as a team over the last 15 years and we know the most successful one is to develop and nurture a nucleus from home-grown players and then through shrewd recruiting add experienced players to that group.

"We want to build a team around players who have come through our Academy system. We have some great youngsters at the club and it is our job to bring them together as a unit and supplement them with quality players to enable the team to grow."

Leeds also announced the re-signing of US Eagles prop Mike MacDonald on a new two-year deal.

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