Aspey’s chance to make some noise with Thunder loan
YOUNG Salford hooker Connor Aspey has joined Betfred Championship side Newcastle Thunder on a short-term loan deal.
The agreement is initially for a minimum of two weeks, with the option to extend should both parties wish to.
Aspey is a product of the Red Devils academy set-up and made his Super League debut for the club late last season.
The 18-year-old was handed a two-month trial over pre-season - which was funded by the Salford Red Devils Supporters’ Trust - during which he sufficiently impressed new head coach Richard Marshall to be rewarded with a one-year contract.
“I’m looking forward to having the chance to get some game time and show what I can do,” said Aspey after the deal with Thunder was confirmed.
“It will be a great opportunity to learn and improve as a player.”
Newcastle were elected to move up to the Championship, taking the place of Leigh Centurions following their promotion to Super League.
And Salford’s director of rugby operations Ian Blease believes it will be a great environment in which Aspey will be able to develop his game. He said: “At Salford, we want to ensure our young players have the opportunity to adapt and develop their game as much as they can and loaning Connor out to Newcastle will give him that chance to see how other players and coaches do things.
“Speaking with Newcastle’s director of rugby, Denis Betts, this week, we both agree that Connor’s career progression will be assisted by playing for the Thunder and myself, and
Richard Marshall will be watching closely.
“There will be a real buzz around the place up at Newcastle as they’re newly promoted, so that buzz is something Aspey can thrive off.”
Meanwhile, Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy has been elected as the new Super League interim chairman.
Davy, the longest-serving chairman in Super League, having been in the post since January 1996, will fill the void created by the departure of executive chairman Robert Elstone.
Davy, who turns 80 in July, has temporarily stepped down as chairman of the Giants to focus on his new role.
Davy, a successful local businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, steps into the role at a crucial time for Super League with talks over a new television deal with Sky Sports thought to be nearing a conclusion.