Giant year for three amigos!
HUDDERSFIELD’S unsung ‘holy trinity’ could finally see their loyalty repaid with some more silverware.
Jermaine Mcgillvary, Leroy Cudjoe and Michael
Lawrence are the boyhood pals who have been living their Giants dream together.
But despite a combined service to the club of 38 years, they have only the
2013 League Leaders’ Shield to show for their efforts.
Former team-mate Luke Robinson – the Giants assistant coach – is desperate to see them get the glory, and reckons the time is now.
Robinson said: “It’s quite uncommon for three young boys who were friends back in the day to come through the junior ranks together and spend their entire rugby careers together.
“They are really close. All three have had offers from elsewhere but have shown loyalty to their hometown club.”
Lawrence, 30 – nicknamed ‘Bruno’ because he talks and laughs like former boxer
Frank Bruno – was the first to make his debut in 2007.
Robinson said: “He’s gone from being a winger, to centre, loose forward and now prop and he’s adapted really well. He’s training to be a teacher now but if he decided to stay in the game he’d have a lot to offer.”
Centre Cudjoe, 32, made his debut in 2008 and has earned the nickname ‘Wayne Bennett’ from his two close mates, after the former Australia and England coach. Robinson explained: “It’s because he dissects everything we do in training, he’s a rugby league nerd.”
Winger Mcgillvary, 32, has 21 England and Great Britain caps, and is the joker. Robinson added: “He’s the one usually having fun.”
Robinson, who played with all three between 2008 and 2015, is loving his Giants life under former Salford boss Ian Watson, and said: “I’m really excited about what we can achieve this year.
“We have been the nearlymen for too long but we have a really decent chance now.”
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are casting out “dredging nets” for young talent – but the kids who don’t make it are paying a heavy price.
That’s the warning from former Manchester City head of education and performance management Pete Lowe, founder of Playersnet, which supports the huge proportion of players who don’t make it.
“The whole system is flawed – it’s on the edge of breaking point,” he said.
“When I was at City you would have something like 22 or 24 players in the Under-14 age band.
“Now you can sign 30. Clubs have the option to throw out a dredging net – how is that excellence?”
The Premier League say of their 2018-2020 academy players, 74.2 per cent received a pro deal or had their contract extended.
HE may be on speaking terms with the owners, but former Manchester United striker James Wilson knows that doesn’t reduce the expectation levels at Salford City.
Old Trafford is just down the road, however life in League Two for the one-time Red Devils prodigy is a million miles away.
But the 25-year-old, who scored twice on his Manchester United debut, has a desire to help United’s class of 92 in their lofty ambitions for Salford.
On Saturday, he will be at Wembley to face League One Portsmouth in the final of the Football League Trophy held over from last season. Confirmation that the club, under Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and David Beckham, is moving in the right direction.
Backing
Giggs gave him his debut at United while Warren Joyce, Salford’s development coach, helped nurture Wilson in their reserve side.
“The backing from the owners here is great,” said Wilson.
“Their ambition rubs off on us and helps the team. They watch us so at times it’s like they are judge and jury, but at the same time they are fans and want us to do well.
“I think that pushes us even more.
“Injuries have been a bit of an issue over the years which might have hindered my progress.
“I’m now trying to get back on track.
“Getting game time is massive for me and having less injuries.
“I would love to get back to playing in the Premier League.
“Circumstances in football can always change and so hopefully staying fit, doing well, who knows what is ahead?”