Video: Blackett hopes to leave lasting legacy at Titans

10 Sept 2013....Rotherham Titans Head Coach, Lee Blackett

The bond between the players and their supporters is clear for all to see at the Championship club.

They mingled together on the pitch at Abbeydale Sports Ground in Sheffield long after Sunday’s Championship play-offs semi-final defeat to Bristol, a scene which has become a common sight at their Clifton Lane home.

With easy access to the players in the clubhouse afterwards, too, there is a real link which underpins the spirit at the club.

Asked what he is proudest of, Blackett, who soon heads off to be backs coach at Wasps, said: “Just the style of rugby the club’s played.

“And the way the fans have got really close to players and vice versa.

“I think they are the two things that are really special.

“My emotions are a bit strange at this moment in time; with it being a two-legged affair semi-final you never really know when the season is going to end.

“I don’t think it’s really sunk in. When it does it will be quite devastating.”

With Rotherham’s campaign now over, Blackett will help in the recruitment of a new head coach before departing a club with whom he emerged from the Academy ranks to play in the Premiership and serve as captain before a six-year spell at Leeds Carnegie.

The England Counties winger/centre rejoined Titans as a player in 2012 before helping out with defence coaching and then taking over at the top the following year, becoming the youngest head coach in the Championship aged just 30.

Blackett, though, guided Rotherham to successive top-four finishes.

“The new guy has got to come in and put his own ways on it,” he added.

“I don’t think he can just come in and take over.

“I think we will be looking for someone to play attractive rugby.

“Hopefully they have done over the last couple of seasons and I hope they progress further.

“There is a good squad here that is staying. I’ve no doubt the Championship will improve again next year and if this club is going to get in the top-four again we will have to improve on what we’ve done this season.”