KR sign former FC youth player from West Hull
Hull Kingston Rovers have this week secured the services of West Hull backrower George Lawler, a former Hull FC youth player.
He has signed a one-year deal to play with the Rovers Under-19 academy side.
The second row, the son of former Rovers player Kenny Lawler, was part of the West Hull side which won the NCL Grand Final last weekend, beating Wath Brow Hornets.
“Some players you have to nurture, but with George it seems to come naturally,” West Hull coach Mark Hewitt told the Hull Daily Mail.
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him in the KR first team over the next few years, that’s for sure.
“I’d seen him play in our under-18s side and thought I’d throw him into the first team.
“From what he was showing on the field, I was amazed he wasn’t already at an academy set-up. I was really surprised to hear George was released from Hull FC at the time.
“Defensively he’s very strong, but his line-speed is fantastic in attack and he knows where to run and how to spot a gap.
“George has been one of our standout players this year and the contract with Rovers is fully deserved. I’m really chuffed for the lad because he’s such a nice bloke to work with.”
Lawler was released by Hull FC when he was 16. He was named as BARLA’s under-19s player of the year last Saturday night after helping West Hull to victory.
“George was released from Hull FC at scholarship level and didn’t progress from there, but he went back into the amateur game and the way he has applied himself at West Hull is fantastic,” said Pete Grayburn, Hull KR‘s head of youth.
“He caught our eye a while back and he’s been monitored over the season and been rewarded with a contract.
“George has been playing in a good side and he’s got that bit between his teeth. Although he was released at scholarship level, he still had ambition and drive to make it, whereas some people fall out of love with the game.
“He still wants to play Super League.
“He’ll be a senior lad in the under-19s set-up, but he’s got to come into this environment and work hard and stake a claim for Chris Chester to offer him a first-team contract.
“Potentially, if he works hard, he’s got an opportunity at the club.”