HALIFAX coach Matt Calland believes he has secured the most dangerous hooking combination outside Super League after shackling former Warrington number nine Mark Gleeson to the club for 2009.
The ex-England international was one of three key players to sign new contracts last night, with half back Ben Black and full back Miles Greenwood also putting pen to paper.
Gleeson, who spent nine years with the Wolves, joined Fax last month on a short term deal after failing to agree a contract renewal at the Halliwell Jones.
The 26 year old had been expected to return to Super League next season, but instead has opted to form what promises to be a lethal partnership with Fax skipper Sean Penkywicz, who is currently sidelined with a broken hand.
"I am surprised we've been able to keep Mark, but he's come here, really enjoyed himself and he didn't really hesitate when we made him an offer for next year," said Calland.
"He's got vast Super League experience and when we get Penky back in a few weeks they will form a really potent combination.
"They are both very quick out of dummy half, they are both good enough to be playing at a higher level, and with the two of them interchanging it is going to be a very good attacking weapon for us to have.
"For me, they're the two best hookers in the competition and I'm delighted they're going to be with us."
Black, who bagged a stunning late winner at Batley on Sunday, returned to the club in mid-summer, almost three years after the Australian's first 18 month stint yielded 36 tries in 33 starts.
Calland initially awarded him a short term deal, but admitted he had been impressed by what he had seen.
"Ben's really won me over since he got here," said Calland.
"I'd only ever seen him on old videos, but he trains well and can be a real matchwinner, as he showed at Batley last weekend.
"He's a character, full of life, full of beans, and he really stood up for us when we needed him to.
"He certainly gives us a cutting edge."
The retention of Greenwood, the former St Helens junior, is hardly a surprise.
Calland's one time Hopwood College protege made a steady rather than spectacular start to the year, but blossomed after settling into his favoured full back spot.
And at just 20, Calland believes there is plenty more to come from the Oldham-based player.
"Miles has got great footwork and a great attitude, but he is nowhere near the finished article yet and it's that potential that we want to exploit," said Calland.
"He trains very well, is always willing to learn, and I'm excited about what he could achieve in the future.
"He had a bit of a slow start when we were playing him at loose forward, but I swapped him and Shad Royston around and neither of them looked back after that."
The full article contains 518 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
