DAVID Stout will stand down as coach of Bromsgrove RFC First XV at the end of the season.

Stout (pictured), who has been in charge at Finstall Park for four years, made the announcement to fans in his programme notes before last Saturday's 38-11victory over Kenilworth.

He said: "I have come to the conclusion in my own mind. The commitment is massively demanding and it has got to the point when I have got nothing more to give."

"I have no intention of carrying on but I am stopping at a time when the club is in good heart."

Despite offers, the 42-year-old will not be joining another club, instead opting to devote more time to his family and work.

He will be replaced next season by current club captain Dean Ball and centre Dave Wilkinson. A vote will take place for a new skipper as Ball steps up.

And club chairman Tony Finn said he thought the team had a great new partnership in Ball and Wilkinson.

Stout took over the post in 1999 and, along with Conrad Davies, steered the club to the Midlands Two West championship last year.

Originally he agreed to a two-year stint as coach, but stayed on when promotion to Midlands One was on the cards and accepted another season once that goal was achieved.

Now his side has two vital games left in the quest for Midlands One survival, starting at Walsall this Saturday.

"That will be a tough nut to crack to be honest but the incentive is still there to stay up," Stout added.

"If we lose that does it but if we win then we give ourselves a chance."

Bromsgrove have won four of their last five fixtures and can claw their way out of the bottom three although, depending on other leagues, they will have to wait to see whether that is enough to keep them up.