He works for the fire service in Bradford now as well as playing.

Not quite what I was looking for under the new signings header but not a massive surprise. Suspect playing for Midlands Hurricanes is a better option than London reserves. I think he had something but we are not in a place to offer chances to too many ‘projects’ and,as you say, he misplaced his kicking boots.
IIRC he didn’t have a job lined up in London so possibly has found it difficult. If that’s the reason it’s a bit disappointing club wasn’t able to find him something in the massive London job market or he wasn’t able to find it himself but there we are.
No doubt this will be badged as a great opportunity for one of our U12s to step up. Sigh.

Perhaps the club could get one of the fans to volunteer to take his place.

Couldn’t be much worse.

I suspect he’s seen the club bring in Gahan and Burrough and Mockedreki taking over the kicking and thought he’s going to struggle to get game time so he may as well not go through the hassle of being away from friends and family. Possibly a lost opportunity all around but we do need to bring more in so inevitable some will need to go.

I see Coates went straight into Newcastle’s starting 13 although, obviously, not their goal kicker. What’s all that about? I thought he played at Coventry last year so coming to us was a step up. He appears to have been a Newcastle player. Why leave a Full time Newcastle team to come to a PT London team which was likely to finish below Newcastle and no job in London to come to either. Surely Newcastle didn’t see something this season that changed their mind. Very strange. Still appears to have worked out for him.