12 replies to this topic

[beacs]

Barry Eaton becomes assistant coach to Iestyn Harris

Crusaders boss Iestyn Harris has named former Wales team-mate Barry Eaton as his assistant on a two-year deal.

Ex-Batley, Dewsbury and Widnes scrum-half Eaton has spent four seasons in charge of Championship club Keighley.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "Super league is the pinnacle of rugby league and to get the chance to work at this level was too good an opportunity to miss."

Eaton succeeds former Huddersfield Giants boss Jon Sharp, who left last month along with coach Brian Noble.

He added: "I'm going to be working with players on a full-time basis, day-to-day, so that's going to be a new challenge.

"I've been at Keighley for five years as coach and I like to think I've done a pretty decent job and will be leaving them on a good footing.

"I'm really gutted that I'm leaving such a great club and great people but you have to move on and the opportunity was such that I had to consider it deeply."

Sharp, like Harris, one of Noble's assistant coaches at the Racecourse Ground last season.

"I am thrilled to have Barry on the Crusaders coaching staff," said Harris.

"He was a class act on the field and has proved to be a class act since moving into coaching.

"I've played alongside Barry for Wales and, on the field, he was always a committed, passionate, skilful and determined player.

"These qualities are evident in his management style and, in the way Keighley played, and his experience and knowledge of the game will help make us an even stronger outfit in 2011."

[m brooksy]

Hammer blow for Keighley. They've lost their three major components that got them promotion 14 months ago. Eaton,Jones and Presley.

There are about five teams who are capable of winning the league this year. Swinton,Keighley,Rochdale,Workington and ourselves.

[beacs]

Swinton are the worst for team bonding brooksy , look at their signings all pre madonnas

[PooingDog]

Hammer blow for Keighley. They've lost their three major components that got them promotion 14 months ago. Eaton,Jones and Presley.

There are about five teams who are capable of winning the league this year. Swinton,Keighley,Rochdale,Workington and ourselves.

That's the first time in a long time I've heard any one tip Hornets as a possible league winner, you've made my day It's nice to be taken seriously after every thing we've been through.

Although it pains me to say, I would put Oldham as favourites.

[beacs]

If Oldham hit the ground running like we all hope as 'Yeds then of course we are favourites

[PooingDog]

If Oldham hit the ground running like we all hope as 'Yeds then of course we are favourites

Having said that you'll probably come second, get to the final and do what the Biffo's do best, LOSE.

[eclecticsheep]

Its called the roughyeds version of "GROUNDHOG DAY!"

[RIGGY]

Interesting comments Beacs !.

Lets see in September

[Roughyeds Return]

Big loss for Keighley, rated him highly.

Swinton must be favourites surely, don't see how people can make us favourites?

[PooingDog]

Big loss for Keighley, rated him highly.

Swinton must be favourites surely, don't see how people can make us favourites?

You've pretty much retained a squad that's not only got a fair bit of talent in it, but is also a proven team!!

Whilst Swinton's signings promise a lot individually, will they bed in together like we know you can? Maybe they will, if they do they'll be a force but as of yet it's still a maybe.

[SINGE]

Interesting comments Beacs !.

Lets see in September

CAn I ask a favour. Can you not go on your board and say ALL Oldham fans are cocky and expecting us to walk this league.
'Cos that aint true.
You have one person that is very confident. Exen then, he qualified it by saying that if they play to their ability.
He's only saying on paper.
Of course, Rugby is not that simple!

[marshy1]

Swinton are the worst for team bonding brooksy , look at their signings all pre madonnas

If Mark Smith is a pre-madonna then i'm a mokeys uncle, did you watch him play for Widnes last season at all, he is quality.Tell me are you saying you wouldn't have him in the Oldham team?

I am struggling to think which other signing you are referring to in terms of pre-madonnas, we have retained a large chunk of the young player we ended the season with last year. Not sure if we will be in the mix because we do have a tendancy to take time to get going but I am looking forward to the new season and seeing if thats going to be the case.

[chiefgeneral]

Swinton will be the winners of this league for me. They have massively under achieved in recent years with some mediocre coaching (mainly Paul Kidd). Now they have a coach with a lot of experience at this level and the players to go with. For the record I dont rate McCormack one bit but he is big improvement on Kidd

However this isnt always the case that the favourites are winners. We were apparently going to walk the league in 2009 and Dewsbury ended up romping it without even losing a game. But still if I were to bet I'd go for Swinton.

From an Oldham perspective I dont even think we have the depth to compete in the top 2. But we'll have to see whats round the corner