Transfer Rumour Mill 22/23

[Saint Toppy]

43 minutes ago, Magic Superbeetle said:

Not sure why you think there's a big rebuild job. Theres only Roby and LMS imminently likely to retire, and they could be replaced by Pemberton and Delaney. I assume Hurrell and Hopoate will be off next year as well, but signing a centre with multiple non-fed spots available shouldn't be too hard - if Bennison isn't the answer to the Grace replacement, he would definitely replace Hopoate as the utility back.

The next group after that will likely be Makinson, Lomax and Walmsley, but could easily see each doing another 3-4 years before they're retiring. Obviously its hard to predict when a player has gone a year too far, but from all accounts all three are look after themselves religiously. 

We have a lot of players out of contract next year, and some big question marks mainly over our non-fed players. Paasi, Batchelor and Mata'utia are off contract (we have an option on Sironen) and would want to keep all of them. If we can't, then recruitment next year looks challenging, but if we can, I think were in a good position to have a couple of changes to keep things fresh but just rolling the team as we have done for the last few years.

We have a really strong core of Welsby, Dodd, Lees and Knowles which the team will continue to be built around in the coming years, which was the clubs focus this year (As all have signed long term contracts this year).

Batchelor has just signed a new 3Yr Deal until 2025 so thats one of those players already signed up

[Ragingbull]

1 hour ago, GeordieSaint said:

Frustrating about Hopoate. Think we’ve really missed a trick with someone like Jake Wardle who I think is going to be a fantastic player. 

Our squad is too old. In needs an inject of youthfulness in the backs, especially since half of them are always injured. Wellens has a big rebuild job on his hands.

Wellens has only been there a week or 2 weeks and theres already some unrest amongst the fan base. 

[Saint Toppy]

Just now, Ragingbull said:

Wellens has only been there a week or 2 weeks and theres already some unrest amongst the fan base. 

Most fans have been peed off with Hopoate for most of this year to be fair !!

[SalfordSlim]

On 12/10/2022 at 10:28, Davo5 said:

Always thought Livett had all the makings to be a cracking centre but for some reason he was shunted into the pack where he hasn’t lived up to his early promise.

I think he lacks a yard of pace to be a top centre. He was excellent for Salford before his injury (IIRC mainly during the period we weren't allowed in stadiums during the pandemic) and he did flit between 2R & centre. He seems to have put on far too much timber since his injury and lost even more pace as a result. If his conditioning is sorted out I think he's a good signing for Salford Reserves, sorry I mean Huddersield.

[Mark]

Swinton announced a host of players leaving yesterday, rumours are;-

Hatton and roberts are Widnes bound

Hanson off to Sheffield -confirmed 

wilkinson to Oldham 

jones and meadows released 

[The Blues Ox]

On 09/10/2022 at 19:48, The Blues Ox said:

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

This might have legs, Doro just announced as leaving Widnes.

[POR]

FEV have completed the signing of centre Chris Hankinson. from TO

[Harry Stottle]

8 minutes ago, POR said:

FEV have completed the signing of centre Chris Hankinson. from TO

Good Championship centre, no more.

[Saint Toppy]

Don't follow Intsagram but those that follow Tommy Mak saw a post he put up over the weekend as a bit of teaser, pic of him & Luke Thompson with the words "Sorted for 2023" with the Saints Angel emoji. 

Been told Thompson's missus is pregnant so wants to come back to the UK. Also looks like Bell could be on his way to Salford to free up cap space.

Could well see Tommo back sooner rather than later !!

[POR]

41 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Good Championship centre, no more.

A Good Championship centre, H who has just been named Toulouse Olympique's Player of The Season so if he can bring some of that to FEV I will be a happy bunny

[The Phantom Horseman]

12 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Good Championship centre, no more.

I agree, having been voted player of the season at a SL club this year, he can be described as a good Championship centre no more

[Harry Stottle]

1 hour ago, POR said:

A Good Championship centre, H who has just been named Toulouse Olympique's Player of The Season so if he can bring some of that to FEV I will be a happy bunny

 

1 hour ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

I agree, having been voted player of the season at a SL club this year, he can be described as a good Championship centre no more

OK it was a few years ago, but he played 7 games for Leigh but then sent out on loan to Swinton and Barrow for the best part of 2 seasons, Wigan wouldn't have sent him back to Swinton then to London if he had come up to expectations, I havn't seen many SL clubs coming in for him since he became available, I was just giving my opinion and that you both disagree fine, but good luck to the lad and to Fev next year I really mean that, there is nothing that would please me more than seeing Fev get promoted, we still have P&R at the end of next season - don't we?

[georgeb1]

A very good champ centre , see fevs logic , hall is probably in his last season at that level and hardcastle is a better back rower.

[The Phantom Horseman]

32 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

 

OK it was a few years ago

2014 I believe...

32 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

 

 but he played 7 games for Leigh but then sent out on loan to Swinton and Barrow for the best part of 2 seasons, Wigan wouldn't have sent him back to Swinton then to London if he had come up to expectations

As I recall, Hankinson joined London on loan at around the same time as another SL centre, one who has spent most of his career being shunted around other Championship teams on loan,  you're going to be gutted when you find out which SL club he'll be playing for next season if that's your view...
https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/london-secure-second-super-league-loan-signing/

Edited October 17, 2022 by The Phantom Horseman

[Davo5]

8 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

2014 I believe...

As I recall, Chamberlain joined London on loan at around the same time as another SL centre, one who has spent most of his career being shunted around other Championship teams on loan,  you're going to be gutted when you find out which SL club he'll be playing for next season if that's your view...
https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/london-secure-second-super-league-loan-signing/

Hankinson is a really good signing,id take him over over Chamberlain who is pretty average every day of the week.

[The Phantom Horseman]

8 minutes ago, georgeb1 said:

A very good champ centre , see fevs logic , hall is probably in his last season at that level and hardcastle is a better back rower.

Yes I think that's a fair assessment. For me Hall wasn't quite as effective last season as his previous couple of years, whether that was coach/tactics related or not I'm not sure. He might start the season at full back with Kheirallah aiming for an April return, but he might need to fight for his place especially with a recognised goal kicker newly signed. Hardy's move to the back row has been mooted for years and it probably does suit his skillset better.

[The Phantom Horseman]

4 minutes ago, Davo5 said:

Hankinson is a really good signing,id take him over over Chamberlain who is pretty average every day of the week.

I was actually really impressed by Chamberlain last year.

[The Blues Ox]

Titus Gwaze leaves Fax to take up an opportunity elsewhere after failing to agree terms with Fax. Sounds like he wanted too much money and then told the club that he wanted to wait till the end of the season. Fax decided to sign other players rather than risk waiting.

I think he would be a decent pick up for any team in our league. Quite small for a forward but always made a big impact for us and was always one of our better players when on the pitch.

[Rockingchair]

39 minutes ago, The Blues Ox said:

Titus Gwaze leaves Fax to take up an opportunity elsewhere after failing to agree terms with Fax. Sounds like he wanted too much money and then told the club that he wanted to wait till the end of the season. Fax decided to sign other players rather than risk waiting.

I think he would be a decent pick up for any team in our league. Quite small for a forward but always made a big impact for us and was always one of our better players when on the pitch.

Must admit a little disappointed with this one it’s 50/50 who will regret it the most , the club or the player. Fax have done a good job of keeping signings quiet , haven’t heard a thing apart from doro and king . I wonder if the new board will invest in some late signings.

[Harry Stottle]

On 17/10/2022 at 11:28, Davo5 said:

Hankinson is a really good signing,id take him over over Chamberlain who is pretty average every day of the week.

Yeah you have said that before and that is your opinion from afar Dav, but I have watched - in actually being in attendance - for most if the Leigh games thus season and Chamberlain has not been 'pretty average' he has been 'well above' average in pretty much all the games he has performed in, granted next season is a different matter we shall have to see how he goes.

[Harry Stottle]

I saw a mate yesterday who had been walking to the Morrison's on the LSV complex, he said he was sure that Mr Beaumont was with Zak Hardacre going into the stadium, my reaction was I thought Hardacre did not like travelling over here and wanted to be closer to home, and isn't he rumoured to be joining Hull FC, do I want it to be true and Leigh sign him, not to sure on that one.

[WN83]

8 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

I saw a mate yesterday who had been walking to the Morrison's on the LSV complex, he said he was sure that Mr Beaumont was with Zak Hardacre going into the stadium, my reaction was I thought Hardacre did not like travelling over here and wanted to be closer to home, and isn't he rumoured to be joining Hull FC, do I want it to be true and Leigh sign him, not to sure on that one.

It used to take him 5 hours some days to get home from Wigan training to Ponte, so if you believe that, there's every chance he could move to Leigh. 

Rumour has it he asked not to be selected for the World Cup as he was worried about the 24 hour coach journey from the team hotel to Newcastle for the opener and that's before we take in to account the potential of a 36 hour sleeper train down to London for a semi. 

In short, I wouldn't rule it out. 

[Davo5]

31 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Yeah you have said that before and that is your opinion from afar Dav, but I have watched - in actually being in attendance - for most if the Leigh games thus season and Chamberlain has not been 'pretty average' he has been 'well above' average in pretty much all the games he has performed in, granted next season is a different matter we shall have to see how he goes.

Pretty sure I’ve seen more of Chamberlain “live” than you’ve watched Hankinson.

[Harry Stottle]

1 minute ago, Davo5 said:

Pretty sure I’ve seen more of Chamberlain “live” than you’ve watched Hankinson.

This last season re  Chamberlain?

Edited October 18, 2022 by Harry Stottle

[Davo5]

5 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

This last season re  Chamberlain?

Oh so you use the whole of Hankinson’s career to claim he’s no better than a good Championship player but only use last season as a gauge to Chamberlain’s ability,how so very Harry.