The Pambula Panthers veteran is also one of the single most successful coaches, leading the club to back-to-back undefeated premierships in 2014 and 2015.

And the Panthers have just announced Smith will return to the senior coaching role in conjunction with 2017 premiership coach Paul Noack and assistant coach Lachy Small, while Pambula's Top Pub have signed on as major sponsor for the 2022 season.

"I had a couple of years off and I decided I want to get back into it again," Smith said on Sunday.

Smith said he was keen to reignite the golden era of the Panthers and maybe even lure back a few of the players from those flag-winning rosters.

"With Paul Noack, Fethers back involved as well, he's another premiership coach and getting some of those players back is 100 per cent why we're doing it," Smith said.

"Between the three of us we've been conducting some meetings with players and getting really strong response back so far."

Smith said they had lost a few playing numbers through the years with work commitments elsewhere, tertiary studies or time away to start a family, while COVID-19 has also greatly road-blocked the club's chances to recruit new players.

Smith hopes to see a return to club functions and build on the family atmosphere at the Panthers, which could in turn see an uplift on the paddock.

"It's been really hard because we haven't been able to get together and have functions and now that restrictions are easing we're looking to get that social side back up and running."

Smith is excited to join with Small as the Panthers' danger player this year has taken on a job with the new coach and hails from the Murray League, where Smith also started his playing days.

"He moved over last year after playing at Deniliquin in the Murray league and that's the same league I had come from, so there's a bit of spiritual heritage there," he said.

The players came together for a bit of a Christmas celebration recently with Smith saying the Panthers will look to launch pre-season runs around mid to late January.

"I'm just excited to get the good club culture back around, it's been difficult for the clubs and the league and we want to see the competition back up and running strong, it's been a bit sad to have so few teams in, but with Bermi coming back up again will be good," he said.