Re: Gavin Duffy : Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:42 am  

Rach wrote:

Plenty of young lads with a massive hunger to take the step up for this club , Patchett , Kelly , Ecclestone n Stead are the most likely but others to follow

Liam Darville. , half back turned full back with a great rugby brain , Andy Gabriel .young un with pace to burn , think Lee Maples without the history ...Tom Courtney , back from an horrendous double fracture of his leg / ankle at Fax this year , front rower with a bit of 'mongrel ' , doesnt give a poop who who he upsets ..Chris Watson .. 18 year old second rower.. local Consistent , hard working and talented second rower , Cas already on his radar

That's just a snapshot , lads of 16 /. 17 year olds already making an impression in the 20s , Luke Moorby , Dan Connell ,Alfie Seeley , Taylor Stott, Jack Kennedy ...

Hakf that team @ Widnes were Keighley produced ..nt many clubs can do that at our level ....time to make the most of it

Great post Rach.
This is just how it should be.
That would be a good rule change by the RFL ...... scrap DR and insist that half
Of the squad must be Homegrown talent.
Mind , who am I kidding , would be too sensible for the RFL.

Re: Gavin Duffy : Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:28 am  

It's hard on the players really because most of them will want to carry on playing for the cougars but it's like any other job in life really. If you get an offer to play at an higher level amongst some great players, the chance to further your career and the chance to build your profile within the sport plus not forgetting what makes the world go round £££ -- what do you do??

I think the majority of homegrown talent will stay, fingers crossed along with some experienced heads. The key for me is to keep tiger for next season.

Gav is still on loan to hunslet and is concentrating on helping them win the final but I know he is keen to return to his beloved club

Re: Gavin Duffy : Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:37 am  

Well summed up Rach, some great players in there not forgetting Albion u9 favourite Ben stead couldn't agree more with using the talent we have. They should be played more, given a chance to prove them selfs.

Can just see the headlines next season
Cougars gain promotion on the back of young homegrown talent. Happy days, would be great for the young wanna be rugby stars of the town. I say give them a shot mixed with experienced heads.

Re: Gavin Duffy : Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:30 pm  

I've always believed that the key to success at our level is a good sprinkling of home grown talent, but only if you can mix with that a good number of seasoned pro's who are good trainers and determined 110% ers. The young lads need good role models and older heads who will stand shoulder to shoulder with them when the going gets tough. A young player can be destroyed by OTT criticism, especially from the crowd.

I'm starting to look forward to next year now, but I still hope we can change the RFL's mind. This division might be more difficult to get out of than some think, especially if we have to integrate young lads