IT'S all change at Darlington Mowden Park, where comings and goings among the playing staff will be accompanied by the appointment of a new chairman.

Mike Keeligan is to stand down after four years and another extraordinary general meeting has been called on July 20.

Although Keeligan said at the end of last season there would be no reduction in the playing budget, members were told of heavy losses at the last EGM.

Three players who were expected to stay have signed for Championship clubs this week, the greatest loss being South African fly half Warren Seals.

He made a big impact after arriving last November and had signed for another season, but Mowden felt they could not stand in the way of his move to Yorkshire Carnegie.

Winger Jake Henry and scrum half Matt Walsh have joined Rotherham and coach John Newton said: “It's disappointing that they will not be here, but it's great recognition for the club that they have secured full-time contracts with Championship clubs. Our pre-season begins on Monday and we have a bunch of talented lads coming in.”

Italy A flanker Luca Petillo had also signed to stay but has decided not to return for personal reasons, while centre Tomas Appleton has earned a contract with Portugal Sevens and Argentinian scrum half Bruno Bravo will not be back.

Director of Rugby Danny Brown is looking hard for second rows following Rob Conquest's move to Coventry, but Talite Vaioleti is to stay and a 6ft 9in South African named Myles Tucker has been signed.

Josh Bragman, also born in South Africa but raised in Hartlepool, has also joined after impressing at fly half for Durham County.

Among the other signings are former Australia Schools and Under 20s scrum half Tim Duchesne and England Under 20s hooker Curtis Langdon, who was dual-registered with London Irish and Henley last season.

Matt Heaton, a back row who was with Otley last season, will be teaming up with Mowden on Monday after featuring for Canada in three internationals against Japan this month.

Supporters' Player of the Year, Simon Uzokwe, has been handed a two-year contract by Newcastle Falcons but is expected to be available to Mowden for most of the season.

They have arranged friendlies at Hawick and Doncaster on August 12 and 27, with a home match against Ayr on August 20 (3pm). The opening National One match is away to Hull Ionians on September 3 followed by the visit of Blaydon.

Mowden have early home games against newcomers to the division – Cambridge (Sept 24), Old Albanians (Oct 8) and relegated Moseley (Oct 29).