Transfer Rumour Mill 22/23

[Kirmonds pouch]

19 hours ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

 

From the outside this looks a strange appointment - not from the point of view of Wakefield I might add, as if confirmed they will have added an experienced and well-regarded assistant to support their younger, and  relatively inexperienced head coach. Looks a good move from Wakefield's POV.

But a couple of years ago Ford seemed to be in the conversation for every SL head coaching gig that came vacant, and when he signed that contract to the end of 2024 it looked an indication of how committed he was to York. Now after 8 years as head coach he's going to be assistant to a younger guy that he used to coach himself.

I know it's not unprecedented for a Championship head coach to go as an assistant to a SL club (eg Andrew Henderson) but this just feels a little odd to me.

On the face of it yes but look a little deeper then maybe not.

Ford and Applegarth go back years, and worked together in their college RL yeas, which helps.

As eluded a new owner at York can mean changes.

 

Also Trinity have an elite Academy and a Reserve team that they actually take seriously. Ford will take over both of those from Applegarth, so plenty to do and a reputation to enhance. 

It’s a chance to join SL before things really change so to be there at any level must be appealing.

For me it’s a win win for Ford. 

Finally Trinity are being quietly radical, whether it will work who knows.

But the club seem to be installing a management structure more akin to a business.. Applegarth is the boss but it will be far less autocratic with a lot of areas of joint decision making. It will be an interesting place to work.

[The Phantom Horseman]

All the above fair comments, I guess for me the thing that looks strange is that Applegarth is the head coach and Ford the assistant, if it had been the other way round it would have been less surprising.

[Wakey Til I Die]

4 hours ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

All the above fair comments, I guess for me the thing that looks strange is that Applegarth is the head coach and Ford the assistant, if it had been the other way round it would have been less surprising.

I tend to agree but Applegarth was the one in possesion at the time. Nice back up plan if it goes belly up though.

[WN83]

Jake Wardle confirmed on a three year deal with Wigan in a swap deal for Sam Halsall and Jack Bibby (Young prop, no relation to Jake). 
 

Huddersfield must have the deepest squad in Superleague. 

[idrewthehaggis]

On 08/10/2022 at 04:43, DG70 said:

Adam Sidlow from Leigh to Salford confirmed, underwhelming signing tbh.

A signing clearly as a senior pro to work with the batch of props in their early 20s.

Sidlow for Burke, Partington for Luckley. Seems fair. Seems positive.

On another point, looking at the last list of off contract players, I wonder where the following could go-

Robbie Mulhern, Luke Gale, Harvey Livett,.Derrell Olpherts, Brad Takairangi, Ben Crooks, Bodene Thompson, David Fifita, James Batchelor, Jack Hughes.

[OMEGA]

David Fifita has returned to Australia where he is looking for a single season deal to play alongside his brother Andrew.

James Batchelor has signed for HKR

Ben Crooks has signed for Keighley

Edited October 9, 2022 by OMEGA

[GeordieSaint]

6 minutes ago, WN83 said:

Jake Wardle confirmed on a three year deal with Wigan in a swap deal for Sam Halsall and Jack Bibby (Young prop, no relation to Jake). 
 

Huddersfield must have the deepest squad in Superleague. 

That’s a great signing. 

[GeordieSaint]

3 minutes ago, idrewthehaggis said:

A signing clearly as a senior pro to work with the batch of props in their early 20s.

Sidlow for Burke, Partington for Luckley. Seems fair. Seems positive.

On another point, looking at the last list of off contract players, I wonder where the following could go-

Robbie Mulhern, Luke Gale, Harvey Livett,.Derrell Olpherts, Brad Takairangi, Ben Crooks, Bodene Thompson, David Fifita, James Batchelor, Jack Hughes.

Ben Crooks has gone to Keighley hasn’t he?

[WN83]

Just now, GeordieSaint said:

That’s a great signing. 

Nice to have two specialist centres for the first time in a while. Guys like Bibby swap between centre/wing and loads of second rowers have played there. It’s been a huge weakness and one that was really shown up in the play offs defeat by Leeds, when we had enough possession and territory to win 2 games in the first half and blew it. 

[idrewthehaggis]

Yeah I suspected some of the names there had found clubs.  So cheers.

[The Blues Ox]

Erebe Doro rumoured to Fax. Same source as Lilley rumor so likely to be as accurate.

[bobbruce]

25 minutes ago, idrewthehaggis said:

A signing clearly as a senior pro to work with the batch of props in their early 20s.

Sidlow for Burke, Partington for Luckley. Seems fair. Seems positive.

On another point, looking at the last list of off contract players, I wonder where the following could go-

Robbie Mulhern, Luke Gale, Harvey Livett,.Derrell Olpherts, Brad Takairangi, Ben Crooks, Bodene Thompson, David Fifita, James Batchelor, Jack Hughes.

Wonder if Saints will try Olpherts to replace Grace. 

[EastLondonMike]

Wardle to Wigan is a great signing.

[Mumby Magic]

46 minutes ago, The Blues Ox said:

Erebe Doro rumoured to Fax. Same source as Lilley rumor so likely to be as accurate.

As in not I assume.

[Damien]

I'm happy with the Jake Wardle signing. Centre was a real weakness last season so its great to see a good young English centre being signed.

[bobbruce]

4 minutes ago, Damien said:

I'm happy with the Jake Wardle signing. Centre was a real weakness last season so its great to see a good young English centre being signed.

Good pick up so that’s Wardle and King centres next year. That’s a big improvement for me. 

[Damien]

4 minutes ago, bobbruce said:

Good pick up so that’s Wardle and King centres next year. That’s a big improvement for me. 

Yeah massive. For the vast majority of the season there were 2 second rows at centre and that's just not good enough really.

[SUPERSTUD]

5 hours ago, Wakey Til I Die said:

I tend to agree but Applegarth was the one in possesion at the time. Nice back up plan if it goes belly up though.

Don’t personally know if Ford to Wakey is confirmed or not. But if so. I was always led to believe that Ford has a good career as a lecturer. If true then maybe he would like to continue that career and also be an assistant at a Super League club. Hence he spends less time than Mash at the club but still assists in areas that are designated to him. Trinity get him on board with a cheaper salary. Ford’s CV then shows he has worked within a Super League environment. Eventually Ford finishes his lecturing career and is in a stronger position to apply for an head coaching job in Super League. Call me mad if you want but it is just a thought that entered my head.

[Simon Hall]

2 minutes ago, SUPERSTUD said:

Don’t personally know if Ford to Wakey is confirmed or not. But if so. I was always led to believe that Ford has a good career as a lecturer. If true then maybe he would like to continue that career and also be an assistant at a Super League club. Hence he spends less time than Mash at the club but still assists in areas that are designated to him. Trinity get him on board with a cheaper salary. Ford’s CV then shows he has worked within a Super League environment. Eventually Ford finishes his lecturing career and is in a stronger position to apply for an head coaching job in Super League. Call me mad if you want but it is just a thought that entered my head.

He was full time at York. 

[SUPERSTUD]

5 minutes ago, Simon Hall said:

He was full time at York. 

Ok cheers Simon. Was he a lecturer at some stage and has he definitely gone to Wakefield? Thanks.

[Jughead]

Halsall could be a smart pick up from the Giants. I’ve liked the look of him when playing at Wigan and he seemed to do relatively well at Newcastle, too. 

[WakefieldCityLoyal]

37 minutes ago, SUPERSTUD said:

Ok cheers Simon. Was he a lecturer at some stage and has he definitely gone to Wakefield? Thanks.

Lecturer at Wakefield College.

[OMEGA]

Personally, I think Fords overrated, he got York out of League 1 with a budget and training facilities that other teams didn’t have  and he’s then been found wanting at Championship level despite having a host of Superleague players in his squad for the last two years. I’ve heard mixed reviews of him from York players too

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

7 hours ago, OMEGA said:

Personally, I think Fords overrated, he got York out of League 1 with a budget and training facilities that other teams didn’t have  and he’s then been found wanting at Championship level despite having a host of Superleague players in his squad for the last two years. I’ve heard mixed reviews of him from York players too

Well it stands to reason he'd instantly become pooh now he's been linked with Wakefield.  

Congrats for starting the ball rolling.

Edited October 10, 2022 by Wollo Wollo Wayoo

[ShropshireBull]

7 hours ago, OMEGA said:

Personally, I think Fords overrated, he got York out of League 1 with a budget and training facilities that other teams didn’t have  and he’s then been found wanting at Championship level despite having a host of Superleague players in his squad for the last two years. I’ve heard mixed reviews of him from York players too

He was a vital part of rebuilding a shattered club and consistently got the club into playoffs despite having a smaller budget than many teams who missed out. Bulls year one, Newcastle this year. 

Anyone expecting him to get promoted in that time must not know much about how much Toulouse and Leigh have been spending.