Whitehaven have a new chief executive, two new board members – and two Super League additions until the end of August.
Those were the initial headlines at a fans meeting organised by the Whitehaven club at the LEL Arena.
About 60 fans were in attendance and were informed that Andrew Canavan had stood down from the role of chief executive officer and is to be replaced by director Ashley Kilpatrick.
Three directors have also left the club – Lauren Allen, Andrew Airlie and Jason Ball – but helping fill the gaps on the board have been the appointment of Carl Walmsley and David Murray.
Club’s finances ‘are sound’
Questions were asked about the state of the club’s finances, in light of neighbours Workington Town’s reported cash flow problems.
The fans were assured they should ignore recent rumours and that the club’s finances were sound until the end of the season.
In fact the board said they would hold another open meeting in September by which time the RFL’s new partners IMG may have produced something positive on their plans for 2023 and, more importantly, beyond.
New recruits
On the subject of new recruits it was announced that Haven will have two additions to the squad following today’s signing deadline.
Returning to the club is Cain Robb, who comes back into the fold from Castleford Tigers.
The hooker has made seven appearances so far in 2022 on loan from the Tigers and quickly became a mainstay in the squad due to injuries in the hooking
Head coach Jonty Gorley said: “To get Cain back for a month or two is great news. As everyone knows he was just getting into his stride when the loan period ended. Each game he played he was getting better and better.
“He was doing long minutes, put in situations where I couldn’t spell him off because of injuries but that said it didn’t take any quality away from what he was producing for us.
“Attack and defence, Cain was at the forefront of what we were doing. On top of all that Cain is a great kid, and it’s so good to have him back with us.”
The new CEO Ashley Kilpatrick added: “I’m absolutely delighted we are able to welcome Cain back from next week until the end of August when he will return to Castleford as required by RFL protocols so he can play for Cas if required in the play-offs.
“Everyone saw how good Cain was for us and why he is rated so highly at Cas. We thank Danny Wilson and Lee Radford for their assistance.”
Also joining from the Jungle is Jason Qareqare who sensationally burst onto the scene for Tigers, making his debut as a schoolboy. He has made nine appearances for Cas scoring eight tries including seven in six appearances this season.
Gorley said: “We have been and still are, a bit too thin on the ground for outside backs for my liking, to see us through this next couple of month.
“Out of the ones I’ve got there’s two or three carrying knocks that they’re not getting shot of soon. So to be able to bring someone of Jason’s calibre in will boost the squad in that area and bring in competition for places too so players can’t just turn up. They’ve got to turn up and perform well or they won’t be playing the following week.
“Jason scorched into SL scoring a great try on debut while he was still at school. He has pace to burn and comes with good raps off Castleford, being able to play wing and full back. He’s still only young and playing Championship, he’ll gain some valuable experience to take back to Cas with him.
“I’d like to thank Lee Radford and Danny Wilson for making this happen with Cain and Jason.”
Kilpatrick added: “As a club we are delighted to welcome Jason from Castleford. He will be here from next week until the end of August like Cain.
“Everyone will have seen him on Sky Sports playing for Castleford. His pace is electric and he’s already a fans’ favourite at the Jungle so I’m sure he will be one here as well.”
