» News Archive 21

Town have started to build up their squad for next season and club officials are more that satisfied at the way the squad is starting to take shape.

Ninety per cent of last season's playing pool have already agreed to sign. Players who have not signed so far include Matt Sturm, Lokeni Savelio and Lynton Stott.

This week the club completed a double swoop for Cumbrian forwards Ricky Wright and Stuart Rhodes. The signings will ensure that Town boast one of the strongest packs in the league next season and will give the squad more strength in depth.

Prop/ second rower Ricky Wright is no stranger to Town. Ricky was one of the original members of the Town Academy side in 1993 where he played at centre and second row, before Leeds made him an offer he could not refuse.

He made appearances at Academy and Alliance level for Leeds before his career took him on his travels to St Esteve in France and then onto Sheffield Eagles where he has been for the past 4 years.

Ricky, 23 stands at 6ft 2in and weighs in just short of 16 stones and played for local sides Seaton and Kells before signing pro.

Barrow based Stuart Rhodes 29, is a tough operator who Gary Murdock sees as a wide -running second forward who will vie for place in the squad with Stuart Hoyles, Jamie Beaumont and Anthony Samuel.

Rhodes was one of the big-name Widnes signings last year and his former clubs were Barrow and Carlisle Border Raiders were he gave outstanding service. He returned to Craven Park near the end of the season on loan.

The club are checking out a highly regarded Australian as their potential overseas quote player. His agent, who is considered to be a reliable source by the club, has recommended him.

Several other players have contacted the club direct and the club are keeping all their options open for next season.