Gale wins dismissal case against Yorkshire
................. M G Nolan ....................................... P Armson (5)
............ ............................................................................... F Lambert (7)
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(26) R Walford 6 11-3 ........................... S Sheppard
(42) M Gillard 6 11-1 ........................................ Doubtful
(16) T Dennis 6 11-1 (C) .................. Sean Houlihan
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(18) Miss J Du Plessis 7 10-8 (BF, D) .. D Noonan
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(53) Mrs K Stephens 11 10-4 (D3) ......... Page Fuller BETTING: 7-4 Imperial Joe, 11-2 Groom D’Oudairies, 6 Royal Plaza, 8 Gambie Tiep, Shortcross Storm, 10 Romanor, Forget You Not, 12 Dindin, 20 Others.
YORKSHIRE’S former head coach Andrew Gale has won an unfair dismissal claim against the club after he was sacked in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq scandal.
An employment judge ruled
Gale and five other former members of staff had a ‘well founded’ case.
But the club issued a statement played for the Giants at club level, is keen to carry on playing for the club, until at least his contract expires at the end of next season.
“It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly,” he said of the call to quit international rugby.
“I’ve given it a lot of thought and it feels like the right time.
“When I started out I never believed I would represent my country, but I’m immensely proud of what I’ve achieved. The 2017 World Cup was the pinnacle of my career. The whole experience – on and off the field – was incredible.
“I went from being an unknown to being in demand from NRL agents, got to play alongside the likes of Sean O’Loughlin and James saying that while it acknowledges the judge’s view ‘that no disciplinary process was followed’, there has been no judgment on the reasons for the dismissals and ‘the club’s firm view is that the dismissals were necessary and justified’.
Gale, 38, was one of 16 members of staff sacked in the wake of the controversy which engulfed Yorkshire following accusations by Rafiq which rocked English cricket.
Graham, and off the field got to mix with legends such as Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock. It was a dream come true.
“England are well blessed with quality wingers and I wish them well. I’m still going strong with Huddersfield Giants and I’m contracted until the end of 2023. I’ll see how I feel then.”
McGillvary has scored 198 tries in 294 games for Giants since debuting in 2010 and played for them in the Betfred Challenge Cup final last month.
His international retirement decision comes ahead of England’s mid-season international against the Combined Nations All Stars at Warrington on Saturday week.
Yorkshire last year accepted Rafiq had been subjected to racial harassment and bullying but initially elected against taking any action against their employees.
This week’s decision by employment judge Joanna Wade also involves bowling coach Rich Pyrah,
Admittedly, Wane is not short of wing options given St Helens’ Tommy Makinson, Hull KR’s Ryan Hall, Catalans Dragons’ Tom Davies and Wigan’s Liam Marshall were all also in the squad he named in March to start preparations for the World Cup. But McGillvary’s experience would have been keenly felt.
Wane said: “Jerry is a fantastic player and has been a tremendous servant to England, Great Britain and Huddersfield over the years.
“His form is still good enough, but he wants to devote the rest of his career to his club and I fully understand his decision.
“Everybody within the England camp thinks very highly of him and we wish him well.” academy lead Richard Damms, second-team coach Ian Dews, and strength and conditioning coaches Ian Fisher and Peter Sim.