HAVING taken on ‘the hardest job in rugby’, guiding Pendle Phoenix to promotion must seem pretty straight forward for new coach Getty Schinkel.

The South African is back in East Lancashire after three years with the Cheadle Hulme club who made headline news for going 82 matches without winning a game.

It was a run of defeats that saw Manchester plummet from National League Three Midlands to South Lancs/Cheshire Division One.

Schinkel had only been in charge for two months when they finally broke that mammoth losing run – a 25-17 win over Old Northamptonians in March 2012– but admitted the coverage was a bit excessive.

“When I took over the job, Manchester were on this well documented long losing run and everyone was saying it was the toughest job in rugby.

“They were pretty hard times but it definitely wasn’t the hardest job in rugby. That was a bit over the top.

“Saying that, when we eventually won, the celebrations were incredible!”

Schinkel left Manchester in February for a much-needed break from rugby which including eight years as a player and coach at Burnley RUFC. But when the offer came to return to East Lancs at neighbouring Pendle, the lure was too big to resist.

“I needed the break,” said Schinkel who has also played for Fylde, Halifax and Sale Jets. “I had been in rugby for so long, I just needed to get away and recharge my batteries but I feel better for it.”

Now he is focused on getting Pendle out of North Lancs Two – something the players themselves insist is achieveable.

“When I went to meet the players I asked them what their aims were and they said it was to get promoted this season,” he said.

“It was a big statement but it was something I liked to hear because I might not have taken the job.”

And Pendle have started the season in promotion winning form, winning their opening four games to head the table.

“We know there is a long way to go and a lot of hard work to put in but I like this group of players,” he added.

“They are young, eager and honest. In Eagle and Hutton, we have beaten two of the top teams in the division so we are moving in the right direction.”

Pendle have one of the smallest squads in the division – something that could prove a problem should injuries strike later in the season – and it is a far cry from Schinkel’s time at Manchester.

He said: “In my first season there, were went through about 60 or 70 players, players who were only in it for themselves. Here at Pendle, we have about 27 registered players and a squad of 17 or 18 players turning up on match days.

“It is a small pool of players to work with but I am enjoying it.”

Schinkel has fond memories of his time at Burnley where he worked up until January 2012 and is looking forward to returning – but this time as an opposing coach.

“I enjoyed my time at Burnley and still have a lot of friends there,” he said.

“There was talk of me going back to play a few games at the end of last season but it never materialised.

“But now, if things go well, I might get the chance to go back there as coach of Pendle.”