Maynard return is ruled out

The future of Pertemps Bees chairman Brian Marshall is in doubt following Phil Maynard's decision to withdraw as a candidate to return to Sharmans Cross Road as a coach. Marshall had lobbied hard to secure the return of Maynard as part of package involving former chairman Lawrence Grove and ex-Bees and Moseley prop Rob Sigley, all part-ners in the Try Hard agency.

The Bees' board had spent almost two weeks in deadlock after Marshall failed to attract sufficient support to drive his plan through.

In the most recent vote last week, Marshall is believed to be the only member of the six-strong board to have been in favour of Maynard's return.

The Bees board rejected a similar proposal to re-instate Maynard last summer.

Maynard's decision to withdraw after being interviewed two weeks ago has broken the latest impasse and spared him further embarrassment.

"I have notified Brian Marshall that I do not want to return to Pertemps Bees at this stage," Maynard said.

Having vigorously championed Maynard's cause and suffered such an embarrassing rejection, Marshall's position now appears untenable.

Whoever is appointed to take charge of playing affairs at Sharmans Cross Road will know that they were not the chairman's first choice.

Marshall, a financial advisor, is a former president of the Bees who took over as chairman earlier this season.

Marshall could claim the vocal support of former chairman Steve Blundell and Bahamas-based former director of rugby Keith Jervis, for Maynard's return.

Both are former Bees players but have become peripheral figures at Sharmans Cross Road in recent seasons.

Concerns about the return of Maynard, who departed somewhat acrimoniously in December 2006, had been raised by senior players.

Former Bath and Doncaster flanker Russell Earnshaw remains as head coach while the Bees widen their search for a new director of rugby.