HGraham

Published at 00:00, Thursday, 29 December 2005

WHITEHAVEN will return from their Christmas break with almost a full complement of players as they count down to their Northern Rail Cup launch against Workington Town at the Recreation Ground on February 12.

Prop Chris McKinney and promising Academy youngster David Ford are the only players not fit to resume when Haven return to training in the New Year, with the squad carrying fewer off-season injuries than in recent years.

And with red-hot competition for places, spokesman John Cox is relishing the prospect of a pre-season clash with Peter Roe’s Keighley at the end of January.

He said: “Very often we have injuries hanging over from the previous season, but if everyone is fit, it’s going to be very interesting to see which 17 start against Keighley.

“One or two who would not have been in the first 17 in the past are training up a storm at the moment.”

Even the sidelined front-rowers are not expected to be out of action for too long, with the experienced McKinney possibly back in contention for a place against Town.

“Chris is to have a knee operation, but it’s only a clear-out, and he should be okay for the end of January,” Cox added.

“David Ford hurt his knee playing for Kells Under-18s at the Recreation Ground. It won’t require an operation and he should also be fit fairly soon, hopefully for the start of the season.”

Haven will hold their pre-season launch night on Thursday, February 2, at the Marchon Club.

“It’s a night for the players, the club and supporters to come together to make a big impact,” secretary Dave Farrell said.

The night will end with the players presented with their jerseys for the new campaign.

Meanwhile, Haven are delighted at their new partnership with Unique Sports, after the Queen Street store sold around 300 home shirts, within hours of the new design going on sale on Sunday.

A host of Haven players, plus coach Dave Rotheram, were on hand to welcome fans during the launch.

Store boss Billy Rudd expected additional club merchandise at Unique Sports this week, with a new batch of shirts due next month.

The success is in contrast to last year, when the club’s Aussie suppliers failed to deliver any shirts in time for Christmas.

Barry Richardson, Haven vice-chairman, said: “The link-up has been great for the club, and it has shown its success already.

“Billy has a lot of ideas on the merchandising side, which will help the club raise our profile in the town.

“He’s managed to deliver what we didn’t have last year, and he’s done an excellent job for the club.

“Most of the squad were there at various times on Sunday, and supporters welcomed the chance to interact with them.”

Aussie prop Ryan Tandy will not return to the Recre next season after this week joining former Haven boss Steve McCormack at Widnes.

Tandy’s agent had invited Haven to make him an offer for next season, but the club feel he priced himself out of the market.

Haven’s special Pride of Five Christmas giveaway draw was won by Geoff Burns, of Bedford Street, Whitehaven, ticket number 756, who collects £1,500 of holiday vouchers, plus £500 spending money, and Bob Napier, of Napier’s Butchers, Egremont, ticket 251, the lucky recipient of a 42” plasma TV.

Last week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: JS Connery, Hensingham, 1,692; D Couperthwaite, Egremont, 1,442; D Richardson, Bigrigg, 2,233; H Glaister, Whitehaven, 1,621; DA Long, Workington, 1,510.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk