Quartet bolster Hornets squad
ROCHDALE Hornets added four more new signings to the squad this week with the arrival of Sam Haynes, Will Donnelly, Dan Harrison and Andy Clarke for the 2023 Betfred League 1 campaign.
Centre Haynes featured for St Helens Under-19s in 2022, scoring 12 tries in 12 appearances.
A Halton Hornets junior, Haynes also featured in the Scholarship system at St Helens from 2019 and was a part of the Lancashire squad for the Academy Origin in 2022 under Head of England Pathways Paul Anderson, playing twice.
“I’m really excited to be a part of this team, looking forward to the season and seeing what we can achieve,” Haynes said.
“When I got the call that Rochdale came in, it was a no-brainer really.
“I think the exciting part is the new team Gary (Thornton) has built and next season will hopefully be one to remember.”
And Thornton himself is delighted to have brought in such a promising young players.
He said: “Sam has come through St Helens academy and is now ready to step up to League 1. He has been a proven try scorer right through his junior career, and is looking forward to testing himself at senior level.
“He has a terrific attitude and I know he is keen to get into pre-season and show everyone his abilities. He will add strength and pace to our backline while providing competition for places with his finishing qualities and strong defence. Sam has a bright future and we hope he fulfils his potential with us, next season.”
Chairman Andy Mazey is equally encouraged by the acquisition. He said: “Sam is another young player with bags of potential, and a fantastic pedigree, having come through a first class scholarship and academy at St Helens.
“We became aware of his availability at the end of last season and, after a number of weeks of conversations with his agent Kevin Brown, we finally managed to get a deal done to bring him to Hornets.
“He’s a tall, athletic, outside back and certainly knows where the try line is so I’m looking forward to seeing him continue his development with Gary and the coaching team in 2023.”
On Donnelly, Harrison and Clarke, Thornton added: “Will had a good junior career at Wigan academy, and Widnes reserves, and then dropped into the community game. He’s a strong running front row forward, and has a great defensive game too.
“Dan has so much utility value, being equally comfortable at centre, wing or fullback. He has come highly recommended, and is a tall rangy athletic lad with great strength and pace.
“Andy also brings us utility value covering all the outside back positions, and fullback. He is really looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity, and I’m sure he’ll grab it with both hands. Andy’s an excellent goal kicker too, which is an added bonus.
“These three lads have so much potential to make a big impact this season, and I know they are relishing the opportunity to show their abilities. I’m looking forward to working with them all and seeing the development they can make.
“They fit our model well in terms of being young, talented, and hungry for success - which is a common theme running through our 2023 squad. Our pre-season should be very competitive which will put us in good shape going into the start of the season”.
Chairman Andy Mazey added “I would like to place on record my thanks to Jason Seddon who has been working with us, through the closed season, on talent identification and has been supporting the clubs wider recruitment strategies.
“It’s great to be a club that is offering opportunities to ambitious players within the community game and I’m excited to see these guys take their opportunity, with both hands, and showcase their abilities under Gary and the coaching team at Rochdale Hornets in 2023.”