CARL FORSTER says now is the right time to step away from rugby league’s playing side.

Forster brought the curtain down on his playing career with a try-scoring showing in Sunday’s 40-10 success over Cornwall to end the League One season on a high.

Now, his full focus can move to plotting the future of the side, as Forster has penned a two-year deal to remain as the head coach with the Crusaders.

Forster told CruCast: “I’ve not made the decision lightly.

“I have joked about retiring for the last couple of years, just with the operations I’ve had and how the body’s feeling and it’s not been an easy decision, but, you know, ultimately, I have got to start to put myself first, my body.

“You know, I want to pursue that coaching career. I get a lot more passion out of coaching than playing now.

“So, that’s a clear direction of what I want to do and, also, I need to put the team first. Unfortunately for me, I know what I’m asking the lads to deliver, sometimes I can’t always deliver, which has never been the case since I’ve been a player-coach.

“So, I’d rather go out now than be that guy who holds on and holds on, and effectively becomes a burden on the team.

“So, kind of pull myself out of that picture and with the resources that were coming into the club and recruitment that we seem to be doing at the minute, hopefully I won’t be needed on the field.”

Despite managing to end the season on a positive note, Crusaders ultimately missed out on the play-offs by just two points.