Featherstone Rovers have continued their recruitment for the 2015 season with the signings of Paul Sykes and George Marchant.
Sykes, 33, joins the Club from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, turning down the opportunity of a full-time Championship deal to move to The Big Fella’s Stadium.
The former GB utility back has also had Super League experience with London Broncos and Bradford Bulls and is looking forward to the challenge of helping Rovers gain a place in the game’s elite competition.
“Andy Hay showed me around the club and I was really impressed both by the training facilities and his vision for the club,” Sykes said.
“Whilst it’s disappointing not being in Super League I’m going to do my best to help Rovers get there next season. Whenever I’ve played there the fans have always been passionate for their team and I look forward to playing in front of them next season and helping the Club fulfil its ambitions.”
Marchant has signed on a two-year contract directly from Queensland Cup team Ipswich Jets. The former Bradford Bulls academy player has spent the last two years in Australia and is now looking forward to playing for Featherstone with the goal of participation in the 2015 Super 8s qualifiers and the chance of promotion to Super League.
His grandfather Alan Marchant played on the wing in the late 50s for Featherstone and his great uncle is the Hall of Fame member centre Cyril Woolford. He is the nephew of former Castleford, Bradford and Great Britain centre Tony Marchant.
Commenting on the signings, Rovers’ coach Andy Hay said: “It’s great news for the Club that Paul and George have put pen to paper. Paul brings with him a wealth of experience and the fact that he turned down the opportunity of a full time Championship contract at Leigh to join us shows how keen he is to help us progress next season.
“George is exactly the type of young forward we’re looking for and has an ideal pedigree. His time in Australia will have enabled him to develop his game and I’m looking forward to seeing him in a Rovers’ shirt.”