Whitehaven have been able to finalise the signing of one of the top young players in the NCL after being cleared to register players with the RFL.
Ellison Holgate, an England Community Lions tourist to Australia in October, has been revealed as a Whitehaven player.
The Wath Brow forward had agreed terms a few weeks ago, with interest also expressed by local rivals Workington Town.
But the Whitehaven club had been favourites, and now with clarity from the RFL Holgate has been announced as joining Anthony Murray’s League One squad.
The Whitehaven statement said: “As some of you will know we have been in special measures since last November following a big HMRC debt that the board worked hard to pay off.
“Following lots of meetings with the RFL and submitting a realistic business plan and cash flow forecast we are delighted to say they are happy for us to register our players with the RFL.
“These are exciting times for Whitehaven RLFC and in our forecast we have based the crowds on 500 average which we believe we will absolutely smash this season.
“Everything we have done, and are doing this season, is being on the side of caution to ensure that we can thrive.”
In announcing Holgate’s signing the statement added: “We are extending a massive welcome to Ellison Holgate to Whitehaven RLFC.
“He’s another BARLA level amateur moving up to the pro ranks.
“A big thanks to Wath Brow Hornets for creating such a fantastic community team and giving these lads a great environment to play rugby and build their skills.
“Both Brow lads that have signed for us have already got great levels of fitness and just fit right into the team.”
Holgate, who has been at Wath Brow since he was 12, said he chose Whitehaven because it was his home town club.
“It just seemed to be the next step after touring Australia with the Lions and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I haven’t done any real training since I came back from the tour, so have put a bit of weight on, so it will be good to get some pre-season into me,” he said.
In the NCL season just ended the 24-year-old hooker was named as Player of the Year in the Premier Division.
