Rhinos’ legends to help celebrate opening of new ‘terrific’ South Stand at Headingley

LEEDS RHINOS chief executive Gary Hetherington says illustrious players representing every decade of the club as far back as the 1950s will form part of a ceremonial opening of its gleaming new Tetley’s South Stand.

The impressive development has been completed on time ahead of the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge against Wakefield Trinity on Boxing Day.

It is the latest piece of the huge, ongoing £45m stadium redevelopment of Emerald Headingley.

Hetherington said: “It is all ready now and awaiting the big opening on Boxing Day.

“There will be an official ceremonial opening of the stand which will include a procession of some really familiar players who have given the club distinguished service over its long history.

“We are just in the process of compiling the list now of past players but every decade since the 1950s will be represented in some way.”

The club had long wanted to improve the iconic but deteriorating South Stand terrace and Hetherington is delighted with the end result.

“It’s everything we expected and more,” he said.

“We had a fans open day a few weeks ago and the feedback we had from that, too, was terrific.”

Elsewhere, ex-England secondrow Danny Tickle has found his eighth club after joining Workington Town for 2019.

Former Hull FC, Halifax and Wigan star Tickle, 35, was released by Hull KR at the end of the season but will play on in League 1 under Leon Pryce.

Another player who was unable to secure a new deal with the Robins is Kieren Moss, the versatile former Bradford Bulls back who has now returned to Australia to join NSW Cup side North Sydney Bears.

Huddersfield Giants have parted company with assistant Chris Thorman after it was “mutually decided” to end his six-year coaching sting with the West Yorkshire club.