Calland happy with options
Published Date:
04 October 2008
HALIFAX coach Matt Calland has confirmed he would "be quite happy" to go into the 2009 season without signing another playmaker to replace the axed Graham Holroyd.
Holroyd was told last weekend that Fax were withdrawing from long-running negotiations over a new contract, with the veteran stand off subsequently heading for National League Two outfit Swinton Lions.
Calland has already brought on board two potential half back candidates in Widnes' Bob Beswick and Harlequins' Dwayne Barker.
And while the former England threequarter did not rule out further recruitment, he insisted he already has sufficient options.
"There is a lot of talk about us having to sign a specialist stand off to replace Graham Holroyd," said Calland.
"To be fair, Holly is leaving a massive hole because he has been really good for us.
"But we have Mark Gleeson, Sean Penkywicz, Mick Govin, Ben Black, Barker and Beswick.
"There's certainly some talent there.
"I wouldn't rule out someone coming in if the right player becomes available, but I would be quite happy to go with what we have.
"You don't have a specialist stand off any more, you just have a player who controls the right and the player who controls the left.
"The way we play, there is no difference between seven and six."
Calland also made it clear that Holroyd's departure was necessary to free up the cash needed to bolster a pack that struggled to impose itself at times last season.
"The front row was the main area for recruitment and we have pretty much rebuilt that part of the team," said Calland, who has snapped up Bradford pair Matt James and Neil Cherryholme and Oldham's French powerhouse Said Tamghart.
"It's about having a better balance to the team next season and I think we will have that by the time we have finished.
"The jigsaw is almost complete."
Bradford Bulls have announced a pre-tax profit for 2007 of £257,605 on turnover of just over £5million, an increase of 16 per cent on the previous year.
Chairman Peter Hood said: "These results reflect a solid performance and are a credit to our excellent management and staff.
"With no wealthy owner to cover any shortfall, generating profits is essential to ensure that head coach Steve McNamara has the full finite value of the salary cap at his disposal."
The full article contains 396 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
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Last Updated:
04 October 2008 8:21 AM
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Source:
Evening Courier
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Location:
Halifax