» News Archive 8

Murdock pays tribute to Mike Cunningham

Gary Murdock has paid tribute to departing vice-chairman Mike Cunningham's role in the club's recent upturn.

"Mike was the guy behind the likes of Carl Sice, Jamie Nixon and Craig Rumney coming to the club, "said the coach.

"Out of all the directors, Mike is the one I've had the contact with since I've been here and he's been a fantastic help to myself. He will be a big loss and I don't want him to go."

Cunningham a Town fan for over 40 years, said he was making the announcement with "great sadness" but declared that the club is in excellent hands, on and off the pitch, and he wished it the best of luck in the future.

"Things on the pitch look extremely bright and I urge you to continue to give the players and the coaches your utmost support in this very important year, not only for the club but for Rugby League in general," he said.

"The team are giving credibility and pride back to this great club and I am sure they have the ability to be a leading force in the division."

"Indeed, this is one of the reasons I feel it appropriate to go at this time. Both on and off the field there are good vibes."

He said he has always acted with the best interests of the club in mind and thanked the likes of the coaching team, the 500 fans who stayed loyal through the recent lean years, Town's three support groups and businessman Bill Dobie, who helped save the club when it faced extinction.

"I feel my greatest input has been on the junior development side and I really hope that this has had a positive effect on the club's future," added Cunningham.

"These youngsters are the future of this club and should be given as many opportunities as possible in order to turn them into quality professionals."

He maintained there were many reasons varied and personal, for his decision to step down.

He said "In Geoff Tubman the club has a wonderful and well-respected man, a solid and reliable chairman, who has such high regard for the club and a man who sees things through."

"He's has my total respect and I am sure he will be given the support he deserves at this time."

Academy Stars to play

Due to injuries two of Town's promising young stars could be in the reckoning for a place in the team to face Chorley Lynx.

Tane Manihera has been ruled out of the match after sustaining a knee injury in Town's defeat at Widnes and will be replaced at stand-off by Craig Rumney.

Coach Gary Murdock is also expected to introduce another of last seasons Academy stars, Adam Coulson in the centres.

Murdock said "I have no problems with playing Craig Rumney. These young lads we have signed don't want to play in the A-team and he's got the right attitude."

"With our main playmaker out, others have to step up to the mettle."

"Adam Coulson is another we have high hopes for and he's very talented and skilful. This is a good opportunity for the lads to stamp themselves onto the first-team."

Leigh Smith set to return

Leigh Smith is expected to replace the injured Steve McGrady at centre for the visit of Chorley Lynx to Derwent Park. Steve McGrady has been sidelined with a sternum and injury and Gary Murdock is to draft in Leigh Smith who has been out of action with a flu bug since Christmas.

"We are two centres short at the moment and Leigh Smith will probably go straight back in rather than through the Alliance, which isn't ideal, with him being poorly for a couple of weeks. He's trained this week and we need centres," reported Gary Murdock.

RFL Set to lift Sturm off quota

Town Skipper Matt Sturm has been boosted by the successful bid by Haven's Aaron Lester to be removed from the overseas quota.

"It should mean that Matt will come off the list as I'm sure he's been here the same length of time as Aaron," said Murdock. "It should be good news for us."

Murdock quashed rumours that Town had already targeted fresh faces to bring to Derwent Park.

"There are all sorts of rumours on the Internet, but we are not talking to anyone, or signing players, at the moment," he added.

"I don't think we have the finances at present to bring in another overseas player, but the luxury is always there."

"If spectators continue to come through the turnstiles, we could be in a position to strengthen through the season,"

Sturm has been pursuing his own attempt to come off the quota and is awaiting an RFL decision on the matter.

Murdock revealed that if Sturm comes off the quota and money is eventually made available, a strike centre will be his top priority.

Flu victims return to training

Leigh Smith and Jamie Beaumont are on the comeback trail after being laid low by flu.

The pair have missed two games, including the superb derby win over Haven, but both trained on Monday night and will play in the A-team game at Doncaster.

"Leigh Smith had it severely for two weeks and would have missed the Whitehaven derby game if it had gone a head on Boxing Day," said Gary Murdock, who has been delighted with the form of replacement Steve McGrady, who is seizing his first-team chance after being hampered by injury during pre-season training.

"Young Steve has come in and done well and was very good again on Sunday at Widnes - it was probably his best game since he's been here and they couldn't do anything with him."

"I've had a crack with him and he's listened and learned. He's always been a decent defender but he's now starting to show a lot in attack."

"I've said it before that he's got a big, big future and he has a great attitude and trains well."

"He's playing this year with better players around him, which gives him that bit of protection."