EX-BRADFORD Bulls star Leon Pryce has returned to rugby league management, but not at a level you would expect.

The four-time Super League winner has dropped down several divisions to take over his local amateur side.

The newly-formed Mirfield Stags play in the Pennine League during the winter, and have replaced former top flight referee Richard Silverwood with the Bradfordian as their head coach.

Silverwood will still remain as chairman while also dropping down to assistant to help out a player he has referred numerous times.

Pryce, who played a key part in Bulls' 2003 treble-winning season, came back for one farewell year at Odsal before retiring at the end of the 2017 campaign.

Since then, he stayed in the game behind the scenes and took Workington Town to the League One playoff final in 2018, losing 27-8 to his hometown club, of which he spent a combined nine seasons at.

The former Great Britain and England international was sacked only six games into the following season.

Pryce had one of the most storied careers on the field winning six Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges, to go with his Super League success.

Mirfield finished 'joint-winners' of Division One in the 2019-20 season after the title was cancelled due to the Coronavirus.

Pryce told Stag's website: “I am looking forward to getting started and having some fun coaching again.

“From what I have seen, and what Richard has told me about the club, it seems well run and was obviously successful last year, so I hope to build on what is in place already.”

Chairman Silverwood added: “It was my intention to coach the team again but when I saw a guy with Leon’s pedigree out of the game I saw it a great opportunity for us to grow.

“Whilst demoting myself to assistant, I do enjoy coaching and I see it as a win-win for all concerned.

“The players learn and I will learn from Leon, whilst also spending time growing the club off the field."