Slater takes upcoaching role

Slater made 34 appearances for the Rams over two seasons and also played a key role when Dewsbury overcame Workington Town in the 2002 play-offs to secure a place in the first division.

Slater won the Yorkshire Cup with Wakefield Trinity in 1992 and also had spells at Featherstone Rovers and Hull KR.

Morrison was delighted at securing Slater’s services after the pair worked together on the Wakefield coaching staff.

Morrison said: “Richard was my number one choice to bring on board as we’ve worked together with the 20s at Wakey.

“He knows what I want and he also has ties to the club having played here in the past.”

Morrison acted swiftly to re-sign former Shaw Cross Sharks junior Matty Tebb and has also tempted hooker Ryan Wright to become his first new signing.

Wright has had a terrific season with Wakefield’s Under-20s side, who travel to St Helens tomorrow in an elimination play-off.

Wright had been attracting attention from several other clubs and Morrison was pleased to have secured the services of two quality dummy halves.

He added: “Ryan is player of the year with the Under-20s. He is a skilful player, who scores plenty of tries but also tackles for fun and is a tough nut. He has had a great year and played in the Wakefield nines team when he did really well and won the Plate Trophy.

“I’ve watched videos of Tebby and I like his style of play. I like my nines to play with the ball and engage. He is a young kid and a local lad who has done well.”

Morrison has met with several of the Rams squad and hopes to have talked to the majority of players by the end of the week, with further signings to be announced shortly.

Morrison has been combining his new role at Dewsbury with his current position at Wakefield, who are involved in an exciting end to their season.

Wakefield’s first team travel to champions Leeds Rhinos in the first round of the play-offs tomorrow, while the Under-20s are at Saints earlier in the afternoon.

Morrison added: “I was in the Wakefield office at 7.30 the other morning and left the Dewsbury office around 8.30 in the evening so it was a big day but there will be many big days ahead.”