Spence, whose son Zac is a Salem Juniors member, played in the Premiership for Rotherham and featured for England at under-18 through to under-21 level.

He has also played for England Counties, was a member of Yorkshire's County Championship-winning team in 2006 and 2007 and has played for French club St Nazaire.

More locally, he has featured for Bradford and Bingley and Ilkley, helping them as player-coach to the Intermediate Cup final in 2012. He has since been head coach at Old Crossleyans and Halifax.

Spence already had links to Salem through developing their junior section and, in his former capacity as an RFU community coach, by forging links between the club and Bradford University.

Salem’s rugby chairman Chris Robinson said: “Neil's rugby pedigree is clearly of the highest calibre and we are delighted to have him on board.

"Neil will come in as head coach and work closely with former England international Dan Scarborough (backs coach) in what promises to be a sweet union.

"Collectively we feel that we now have a fantastic balance of knowledge and experience in all playing aspects of the game to take us forward, and we wish him every success for the coming season."

Gardner, who guided Salem to promotion from Yorkshire Division Two in 2014-15, when they were unbeaten and also won the Yorkshire Shield, said: “I currently have a few too many commitments to do the job justice and I would like to give a massive thanks to everyone at the club for their support and for some memorable moments both on and off the field."

He said, however, that he would continue as a player and intends to pass on his wealth of experience to any younger members who have aspirations of playing for the first team.

Club chairman Neil Klenk said: “Sam has been a revelation over the past three years and I am sorry that he has decided to stand down from the role of director of rugby.

"To achieve the double and have an unbeaten season in his first year as a coach was a remarkable accomplishment for which he was rightly awarded the Richard Birkett Memorial Trophy for clubman of the year, Bradford Salem’s highest accolade.

"I am delighted that Sam will continue to be involved at the club, both as a committeeman and player, and, despite the fact that he is approaching his 40th birthday, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is regularly pulling on a first-team shirt next season!”

Salem have a pre-season players' meeting in the clubhouse on Thursday, July 6 (7.30pm), with training starting the following Tuesday (7pm).