Ben Cockayne will be a Robin again in 2014 having signed a two-year deal with the club.
The winger returns to Craven Park having spent the past couple of years with Super League rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats who accepted an undisclosed fee from the red and whites for his services.
Cockayne’s previous stint with the Robins saw him score 57 tries in 139 appearances between 2006-2011 and he’s delighted to be back in east Hull.
“Coming back here was something I always thought I’d like to do,” he said. “But for it to happen now when I feel as though I’m playing some of my best rugby is great and I can’t quite believe it really. I’m really happy, have a bit of repaying to do and am looking forward to doing that.”
Cockayne admits that he’s a changed person since the last time he pulled on a Rovers’ shirt and that a few lessons have been learned along the way.
“I’ve grown up a fair bit in the past couple of years,” he continued. “I’ve learnt a few of life’s lessons the hard way and my life has gone full circle since I was last with the club. I’ve got a focus away from rugby league now which is a successful business that I’m involved with and I really enjoy dealing with that when I’m not training or playing. I’m a different person now and just want to repay a few people who have shown some faith in me.”
With the past behind him, it’s all about the future for the 30-year-old and he’s looking forward to that being with the Robins.
“The club has changed quite a lot since I was last here,” he added. “The first time I met with Craig (Sandercock) I was very impressed with one or two things he had to say about making improvements to my game. That was great as I’m always willing to learn and know that I’m not the finished article as a player.
“The club seems to have grown off the field, the calibre of the players within the squad is very good and I’m just looking forward to getting out there and contributing.”
Rovers’ Head Coach Craig Sandercock is happy to have captured Cockayne’s signature and said, “I’m looking forward to working with Ben and he’s gone really well over the past couple of seasons. I’ve had a good chat with him and he’s coming back here for the right reasons. He’s a good player and I’m expecting him to come here and do well for us.”
