Barrie McDermott excited by Canadian dream

Correspondent

Former Leeds and Great Britain prop Barrie McDermott has cautiously given his backing to the idea of a Canadian team playing in League One.

The Sky Sports pundit feels that the passion for the game in Canada could offer League One a real boost.

He does have concerns about how trips across the Atlantic could be funded, however, and how travel would bite into the schedules of part-time players.

“It’s certainly a far away day,” McDermott told Sky Sports News HQ.

“I first heard about this after the World Cup. The people in Canada are very passionate and the social media around their domestic league is again very enthusiastic.

“It’s not so much a surprise for the people inside the game. Obviously it has got some financial implications for the League One sides for away games but I’m sure they’d jump at the chance.

“My only question mark is how it will affect the day jobs of the players in League One as they typically aren’t full-time rugby league players. But it’s very exciting news if you’re a League One player.”