Off the Record: Rugby League Rumour and Gossip #67
Venue hunt
There was a mixed response to Sheffield’s decision to play their home games at Wakefield’s Belle Vue. But the Eagles had little choice, with the club shot down when they approached stadiums in their home city. We hear the Eagles wanted to play at Hillsborough, but Sheffield Wednesday’s manager vetoed it. They also considered the home ground of Sheffield FC, the Coach and Horses Ground in Dronfield, but the pitch was too short.
Manly madness
The decision to let Matt Parcell go by Manly has caught some by surprise. We’ve been told that club boss Bob Fulton has now got two of his sons and his daughter all working for the Sea Eagles. Fulton is the key powerbroker at Manly and has total control. But a few people are starting to question some of his decisions, in recruitment and retention, and accusations of nepotism are coming thick and fast. The pressure will be on Bozo’s Sea Eagles to perform in 2017.
Bulls on parade
The RFL and the administrators of Bradford are locked in a tug of war, with the club suffering as a result. Word comes to us is that the administrator may blame the RFL if the club is liquidated because the RFL won’t give away Odsal for development in the deal. But the RFL should be credited for standing tall under pressure. Meanwhile the Bulls’ website has been down for several days as the uncertainy continues. And we’ve learned that Andrew Chalmers, the former New Zealand Rugby League chairman who has links to Marwan Koukash, has a bit of a chequered business past. He may not even pass a fit and proper person’s test. All in all it is a sorry state for Bradford’s fans, staff and players.
Punch up?
Who was the rugby league coach who got into a scrap at a recent school game with a scout? We’ve heard this prominant name, who is still involved in the professional game, knocked out a scout from a Yorkshire-based club. This incident was all played out in front of a large number of children.
Gubb exit
We told you months ago that Warriors prop Charlie Gubb was set to leave the NRL club, and an exit is now closer. Gubb’s management is pushing for a release, with a number of Aussie clubs keen on him. Gubb had been linked with Wigan previously, but now it looks like a move across the Tasman and not to Super League is on the cards.
Lockers locked in
England veteran Sean O’Loughlin will be on the plane to Dubai next month. Despite his battles with injury, and the fact he will be 35 before the World Cup final, the Wigan forward will be part of the controversial England camp. The Super League discontent around Wayne Bennett continues to grow, with the Australian expected to be only in Dubai for five days of the camp. When Bennett’s not there Paul Anderson and Paul Sculthorope will be in charge, while Bennett’s Broncos conditioner will be at the camp for the full period.
Merry Xmas
Off the Record is signing off for 2016, merry Xmas to all our readers. It’s been a busy year filled with rumours, gossip, secrets and innuendo, and we do ou dardest to bring you the best. We’ll see you again in 2017.