19 replies to this topic

[doddj1]

Iestyn Harris has been confirmed as the new Crusaders coach. He said that the Welsh club would emerge from its latest financial crisis and maintain the progress made under Brian Noble in 2010.

Harris, a former league and union international who was one of Noble's assistants last season and who also coaches Wales, has been reassured by the Crusaders directors that he will be able to add to his squad if their application to enter administration is accepted later this week.

The Crusaders may start the 2011 season with a deduction of up to six points, under conditions laid down by the Rugby Football League after consultation with the other Super League clubs.

"The Wrexham people who own the club are good people and they want the club to succeed," said Harris, 34. "My sole responsibility is getting the team prepared for our first game of next season against Salford at the Millennium Stadium in February.

"We've still got a bit of recruitment to do and I'll be aiming to bring in another two or three players. But at this time the off-field stuff isn't affecting us, and hopefully the club can have a bright future."

Harris is expected to sign Andy Bracek, a regular in his Wales pack who has spent the last two seasons in the Championship with Barrow. He may also dig up some of his old rugby union contacts in an effort to repeat the publicity generated by the Crusaders' move for Gareth Thomas.

However, the club's attempt to persuade Jon Sharp to stay in a managerial role is highly unlikely to succeed. Sharp, a former Huddersfield coach who was on Noble's back-room staff last year, is keen to become a head coach again and has confirmed his interest in the vacancy at Harlequins.

"They seem to be at the same sort of stage Huddersfield were when I took over there and that can be an exciting time," he said.

Denis Betts, the former Wigan forward and coach who has also been linked with Harlequins since he started looking for a return to rugby league after three years in union with Gloucester, will instead join Widnes ahead of their expected return to the Super League in 2012. His move is set to be confirmed when Paul Cullen, the current Widnes coach, returns from New Zealand to take up a more strategic role at the club.

Castleford's preparations for next season have been hit by the retirement of James Evans, an Australian centre who struggled through last season with a hip problem. But the Tigers have ruled out a move for Joel Monaghan, whose future with Canberra remains in major doubt after he was disgraced in the latest off-field scandal to shock the Australian game last week.

[Terry (Rugby1) Brown]

After it was announced the other month that we would not be re-signing him. I knew we had lost him - Crusaders were always favourites.

[Barrow Phantom]

Huddersfields were fav I think but withdrew when his injury came to light.

[SRC]

I think it had been announced he wasn't staying 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Interesting to read that Denis Betts is joining Widnes. Betts was yet another rumour for the Barrow job.

Apparently he will join "Widnes ahead of their expected return to the Super League in 2012." It suggests Cullen is staying on as Head Coach. Who knows what role Betts will have (other than getting Widnes another seat on the Sky sofa).

[AuntiesBloomers]

I think it had been announced he wasn't staying 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Interesting to read that Denis Betts is joining Widnes. Betts was yet another rumour for the Barrow job.

Apparently he will join "Widnes ahead of their expected return to the Super League in 2012." It suggests Cullen is staying on as Head Coach. Who knows what role Betts will have (other than getting Widnes another seat on the Sky sofa).

Knowbody wants the job, the coache's are in place within the set up already.

[Barrow Phantom]

It sounds to me like Cullen will go up stairs.

[doddj1]

It sounds to me like Cullen will go up stairs.

You are right Cullen Director of rugby And Betts as head coach
http://www.liverpool...92534-27638105/?

Edited by doddj1, 11 November 2010 - 09:09 AM.

[SRC]

'Money to burn' springs to mind.

[Bluenwhite]

Cullen’s assistant Stuart Wilkinson has resigned as Assistant Coach following the appointment of Betts.

[rooster2003]

'Cullen’s assistant Stuart Wilkinson has resigned as Assistant Coach following the appointment of Betts'

Hope he is not heading up here

[Soft Olly]

'Cullen’s assistant Stuart Wilkinson has resigned as Assistant Coach following the appointment of Betts'

Hope he is not heading up here

Why?

[SRC]

He'd be good in charge of our Youth set-up, but has very little experience of Head Coaching. I think he had a season or two as Coach of Barrow in the late 90's (?) and then filled in as caretaker for a few games when Paul Charlton departed. I think that's about it in his entire career. Coaching kids is completely different to dealing with the 'grown-ups' in a first team.

[rooster2003]

Why?

Not for me, think we will go backwards, he can stick to being assistant somewhere, being the 'yes' man

[loose]

He'd be good in charge of our Youth set-up, but has very little experience of Head Coaching. I think he had a season or two as Coach of Barrow in the late 90's (?) and then filled in as caretaker for a few games when Paul Charlton departed. I think that's about it in his entire career. Coaching kids is completely different to dealing with the 'grown-ups' in a first team.

Aswell as caretaker coach at Wigan and Wales international coach.

What have people against him? He has dealt with first team players as an assistant at Leeds (where they won the world club championship), assistant at Wigan and assistant at widnes. Hes been involved in the England set-up and is well known as bringing through many of todays super league stars at the academys.

I think he would be perfect for the job, good knowledge of rugby league, good contacts with players, coaches, and international set-ups. Great for the bringing through youth set ups (just look at wigan, leeds and widnes), which we need. Add to this the fact that he is originall from the area and an ex-player, so will also have a passion for the club and knowledge of the local amateur game.

I would rather have him than a lot of these other 'big names' being thrown about.

[Baaarrow]

What have people against him? He has dealt with first team players as an assistant at Leeds (where they won the world club championship), assistant at Wigan and assistant at widnes. Hes been involved in the England set-up and is well known as bringing through many of todays super league stars at the academys.

I think he would be perfect for the job, good knowledge of rugby league, good contacts with players, coaches, and international set-ups. Great for the bringing through youth set ups (just look at wigan, leeds and widnes), which we need. Add to this the fact that he is originall from the area and an ex-player, so will also have a passion for the club and knowledge of the local amateur game.

I would rather have him than a lot of these other 'big names' being thrown about.

Have to agree with this. Would be ideal IMO.

[Dave W]

When debating the merits of various candidates, it's worth bearing in mind that we've had many head coaches at Barrow who had no experience of the role previously, other than at amateur level eg Dave Clark, Paul Crarey, Ivor Kelland. Denis Jackson, Paul Kavanagh, Dennis Ramsdale etc.

We've also had a few experienced head coaches who didn't exactly set the world on fire eg Cameron Bell, Paul Charlton, Tommy Bishop, Steve McCormack.

What did Frank Foster's coaching cv look like before he became our longest-serving coach?

[K.B]

I remember the few games he was caretaker towards the end of a season, i think we won most of the games and am pretty sure we racked up some pretty good scores, especially in the last game at home????

[Gaz Martin]

Good replacement for bracek. http://news.bbc.co.u...ord/9179514.stm

[tango]

Good replacement for bracek. http://news.bbc.co.u...ord/9179514.stm

far to injury prone keep well away, our problem last year was to many injurys last thing we need to do is bring in a player who spent all last year injured.

[Barrow Phantom]

The man Bradford signed that never pulled on a Bradford shirt and is not going to be fit to start a super league season so was released with another year left? We can afford to carry players like that can't we?