Whitehaven and neighbours Workington Town have arranged a loan swap with two players exchanging Championship clubs for at least a month.
Perry Singleton, who has been out of the picture recently at Derwent Park has moved to the LEL Stadium while Glenn Riley, recently back in training after off-the-field issues, has gone in the opposite direction.
It seems a sensible deal and something which seems to have gone out of fashion, although used to be fairly common in years gone by.
Numerous players have gone from one club to the other, usually in close-season signings of their own making, but there have been a number of deals – particularly in the 50s, 60s and 70s where Town and Haven agreed to exchange players.
Sometimes players were used as make-weights in transfer deals but this will be the first of its kind for some considerable time.
Singleton now completes the Cumbrian treble following two spells at Workington with a spell at Barrow in the curtailed 2020 season.
He can cover a number of positions, either in the backs or the forwards, in Jonty Gorley’s injury-hit squad and will be available ahead of this weekend’s trip to Widnes Vikings at the DCBL Stadium.
Riley is also completing a Cumbrian treble having previously played for Barrow and joins Town in search of game time following his return to training in the last few weeks.
Whitehaven director Ashley Kilpatrick said: “We’re delighted to have Perry for a month. He can play back-row or centre which gives us that versatility there. I’ve always rated Perry as a player.
“From watching him play for Cumbria against Yorkshire and Lancashire a couple of years ago and more so since he made the step up to the pro game. Perry has always been one of the names I looked for on Towns team sheet,
“He’s tough, aggressive and strong and also brings enthusiasm. He likes to get off the line and can put a shot on someone in defence.
“Glenn goes with our best wishes and hopefully gets some much-needed game time under his belt, as he trained the house down during pre-season. Hopefully Glenn gets his head down, gets some games under his belt and goes well.”
Chris Thorman, Workington Town head coach said: “As coaches we talk fairly regularly. We had the opportunity to bring in a big aggressive middle that wants to play Championship RL and at the same time Whitehaven needed a back rower/ centre. We look forward to seeing what Glenn can do in the blue and white.”
