Bears president Rod Henderson confirmed to the Newcastle Herald on Friday morning that the club’s football committee had appointed Piggott, who Weston sacked at the end of 2014 after one season because of a “difference in philosophies about off-field issues”.

Piggott, who parted ways with Maitland this month, took Weston in 2014 to second place and the grand final, which they lost 2-0 to Lambton Jaffas. He was axed then later named the NNSW National Premier League coach of the year.

Henderson said the appointment of Piggott “will be a strange decision from the outside looking in, but we’re very clear about where we want to take the club and we believe Steve fits that very nicely”.

The Bears are winless after 15 rounds and coach Trevor Morris had advised the club to find a replacement for next year who could attract more players. Henderson said the Bears committee had “stopped to reflect about where we’re at” and believed Piggott was the man to take the club forward long term.

“We’ve done it in the best interests of where we believe the NPL competition is going to head with all the changes and the professionalism that is coming in,” Henderson said. “We saw that it was in the best interests of Weston to get one of the best coaches in the league, and we’ll work very closely with Steve to make sure that this time around it’s a successful relationship.”

Henderson said the club had made changes since Piggott’s last stint in charge. 

“We’ve put a lot of different things in place over the last few years,” he said. “We’ve got a very strong committee off the field these days and a very well-structured approach about how we want to run the place.”

Perhaps ironically, the news came as Weston prepared to play Maitland on Sunday at Cooks Square Park. Piggott returned to coach Maitland this year and steered them to fourth place after 13 games before he walked away at the request of the club on July 12.

Meanwhile, former Socceroo Zadkovich, who retired from playing because of injury in May, is among candidates to replace Robert Virgili and Bob Naumov at Magic. Zadkovich has relocated to Newcastle from Perth and has expressed his interest in starting a coaching career. Third-placed Magic play Valentine at Johnston Park on Saturday. On Sunday, Adamstown host Lambton Jaffas, leaders Hamilton take on the Jets Youth and second-placed Edgeworth are away to Charlestown.

Hamilton lead Edgeworth by a point but the Eagles have a game in hand against Valentine.

Hamilton have Grant Brown and Daniel Bird out suspended.

Broadmeadow have Shane Paul and Michael Kantarovski also out on yellow cards. 

Charlestown have Rene Ferguson, Cameron Hughes and Billy Gibbons out. Jarryd Johnson (foot) is in doubt but Josh Maguire returns from injury. 

Edgeworth have Josh Evans away with work.

Maitland have Matt Comerford out with a hamstring injury and Ryan Clarke in doubt, while Blake Thompson returns from a break.