Widnes Vikings have confirmed that Danny Craven has signed a season-long loan with Championship side Featherstone for 2016.
Craven made eight appearances for the Vikings in 2015. He also played six times on loan at Halifax and twice on dual-registration with Whitehaven.
Vikings coach Denis Betts said: “Danny is contracted with the Club for the 2016 and 2017 season. With the competition for places within our existing playing group we felt it would be beneficial to Danny to secure more regular playing time. Featherstone have presented this opportunity for Danny and it has been a pleasure working with them to facilitate this loan opportunity.”
Featherstone head coach Jon Sharp said: “I’m really excited to get Danny on board. He is an experienced player and brings some excellent attributes to the squad such as his strong kicking game.
“He has bags of pace and great footwork to not only create opportunities but to also finish chances created by others. His strike rate shows that he will bring another attacking dimension to our play and like the rest of our new recruits has a great attitude and very professional. He is an enthusiastic trainer and I think Danny will thrive in this environment.”
On joining Featherstone, Craven said: “I’m an ambitious person and I want to work hard and nail down a spot in the side first and foremost. My aim is to get a consistent run of games, that’s when I play my best rugby league and perform to the level I know I can. I’m settling in well and once I start training fully with the rest of the boys I’m sure I will integrate in well.
“The facilities here at Featherstone are outstanding and after speaking with Jon, he’s building a squad and team ethic which is very similar to mine which is built around working hard and working for each other. The squad that Jon is bringing together, these facilities and support from everyone around us I can’t see why we can’t challenge in 2016.”
