The controversial former Great Britain captain and coach, who was sacked by St Helens in 2000, sensationally quit as coach of the part-time south Yorkshire club in the wake of their biggest match of the season, the National League Two play-off final against Oldham.

The former Bradford, Wigan and Leeds loose forward, who had two years left on his contract, cited the resignation of chairman Craig Harrison and the club's financial problems for his decision to quit.

Doncaster's players were told of Hanley's decision 90 minutes before their 18-10 victory, which secured promotion to League One, and it was announced publicly at the end of the match at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium.

''That was my last game,'' he said. ''You never really know what might develop at the 24th hour but that was my last game.

''Craig Harrison is leaving and he's the owner of the club and it's not viable for me to be at the club while there are financial restraints. If the money was there, I would stay at Doncaster.''

Hanley, recently voted Britain's greatest player, had been out of the game for more than seven years - aside from a brief stint at Castleford - when he made a surprise return last December.

He had been linked with Warrington earlier this year but insisted he has no other job lined up in rugby league.

''I've no rush to do anything in particular,'' he said. ''I'm going to put my feet up again. I'll concentrate on my tennis and squash and go back to Australia. There is no drama for me.''