STEPPING up his coaching career, Joe Shaw has his sights set on a Newcastle Falcons return – in the fullness of time.

Released this week after seven years at Kingston Park, Shaw is all-but set for a switch to Asia for a dual player-coaching role.

Shaw led Westoe to North One title victory last season, propelling the Wood Terrace side to National League rugby for the first time.

With his level three coaching badge under his belt, Shaw now feels ready to boost his coaching credentials, and is hopeful of securing his move in the next few weeks.

Sad to leave his adopted home, Shaw hopes to be back in the North East in the future, on the other side of the divide.

“I would love to come back and coach at Newcastle, that’s my ultimate aim now,” said Shaw.

“Hopefully I’ve got a great opportunity to go out and get further involved in coaching and see where that takes me, and one day it would be amazing to come back and be able to coach the Falcons.

“The family ethos of the club is what has marked it out in my eyes as something unique in British rugby, and in the future if I could come back and foster and develop that still further, I can’t think of anything I would rather do.

“Newcastle is certainly my home now, I’ve been at the club seven years and everyone involved in it really took me to their heart.

“Rob Andrew gave me a huge opportunity and he along with John Fletcher and Steve Black over the years had a massive effect on the development of my career. Two bad injuries had me struggling over the last couple of years, but I’ve always been one of those players to put my body on the line and not worry about the consequences.”

Reserving special mention for a fanbase many of whom he feels able to call true friends, Shaw has his fingers crossed the Falcons can kick on up the league in his absence.

Never one to take a backward step, the aggressive utility back tore his ACL two years ago – but did not realise and played on for an hour before starting to feel the effects.

Warmly remembered by most for his swan dive try celebration in Newcastle’s 2004 Powergen Cup final win, Shaw said that ranks as an obvious highlight – but he will treasure that fan support just as much. I guess maybe most people will think of that cup final when they think of me,” said Shaw, “and that was a huge highlight.

“But it was probably the really tight wins at Kingston Park when we closed out results over the big teams that made the biggest impression.

“It’s always great to win in front of the home support, and there was one win over Leicester when were struggling to avoid relegation that stands out. The noise from the crowd was just incredible, and that will always stay with me.

“I know a lot of people thank the fans, but when I say thank you for a number of them I don’t feel as though I am thanking fans, more saying thank you to friends.

“They have been incredibly supportive and I always knew I could sit down, have a drink and a chat with them after a match, and some of them even ring up for a chat.

“That is what makes Newcastle so special, and along with the camaraderie of playing with some of my closest friends that’s what I’ll miss most.

“Playing with friends like Jonny Wilkinson, Tom May, James Grindal and a lot of others over the years has been fantastic.”