Columnist

It was mentioned on social media the other week that Jimmy Irvine had made his debut for Halifax at Barrow on the last Sunday of November 1991.

Irvine of course was signed from Hull KR and made an instant impact, joining forces with former Rovers colleagues Greg Austin and Dave Watson at Thrum Hall.

But who was the best player that Fax signed from HKR in living memory?

There have been a few of them of course in addition to the above trio.

The transfer of Graeme Hallas was valued at £105000 when he was signed in November 1992 almost two years to the day since the arrival of Irvine.

That was made up of £72500 cash and Rob Hutchinson who was valued at £32500. I’m not sure how the brokers of the deal got it down to the last £500!

The same sort of thing happened in October 1991 when Fax paid Oldham £28500 for the services of John Fieldhouse.

Anyway, back to moves between Halifax and Hull KR.

Another classy centre who moved down the motorway from Humberside was Jon Goddard.

And then there were the Papua New Guinean pair of Stanley Gene and Makali Aizue who arrived for the 2010 season.

Aizue made a real difference in the run-up to that year’s Grand Final success after going into his shell somewhat after the departure of Gene.

He rediscovered his confidence strangely enough whilst playing at Headingley in the Nines finals which were held that year and never looked back.

Of course there is Scott Murrell, now training for his eighth season at the Shay.

Let no-one underestimate not only Muzza’s playing ability but also his vocal leadership qualities in the dressing room throughout this period.