WHITEHAVEN’s new winger Henry Hadfield says his new club is in a much better position as they look to bounce back after being relegated from the Championship at the end of a financially troubled 2024 season.
The Cumbrian side won just eight from 26 fixtures, with previous head coach Jonty Gorley leaving the club after saying his position was untenable.
But Haven recently beat Workington Town for the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy and Hadfield explained: “Only one player was retained from last season, so it’s a whole new team and quite an exciting time – being part of a rebuild, both on and off the pitch.
“We’ve been assured that the club is in a good position financially and so all of the players have been able to just concentrate on the on-field stuff and what we can control.
“We had a good pre-season and won the derby against Workington so there’s a really good buzz around the club and I’m enjoying it.”
The rugby union convert, who played the final six games of last season for Haven’s nearest neighbours and fierce rivals Town, added: “A few of us have come from Workington with ‘Muzz’ (Anthony Murray, who also made the short journey from Derwent Park after two years as head coach of Town) and a lot have come from the community game and England Academy Lions.
“He (Murray) builds a really good culture on and off the pitch, which is a pleasure to be part of.”
