Rugby League: Hornets sell off Hall to Wigan
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Your support makes all the difference.THE Challenge Cup transfer deadline did not exactly produce frenzied activity yesterday, but a flurry of wheeling and dealing made it a long way removed from the torpor of recent years.
The biggest transfer involved the move of the Rochdale Hornets hooker, Martin Hall, to Wigan for pounds 35,000, where he will provide capable back-up for Martin Dermott. 'He was not a player we wanted to lose, but our financial position gave us no choice,' Dick Bonser, the Rochdale chairman, said.
Hornets are averaging crowds of 1,000 for matches at Spotland, which they share with the town's football club, and that is 1,500 below the break-even figure. The club still has pounds 470,000 in a trust fund from the sale of its old ground, but cannot gain access to that money despite the bank pressing for a pounds 150,000 overdraft to be repaid.
Salford, sliding deep into relegation trouble after seven defeats, have paid St Helens pounds 25,000 for the experienced forward, Paul Forber. He will make his debut in the important bottom-of-the-table meeting with Leigh tomorrow.
Featherstone Rovers have gained the utility forward, Neil Roebuck, in a swap deal with their neighbours, Castleford. The back- row forward, Andy Fisher, has moved in the opposite direction.
Wakefield have registered a South African, Albertus Enslin, before the deadline, although his signing will not be completed until later in the week. Enslin is a 26- year-old goalkicking utility back who played 130 Currie Cup matches with three different provincial sides before turning to rugby league with the Cape Town Coasters last year.
Enslin will be the second player to emerge from the fledgling South African Rugby League. Jamie Bloem, who had a brief spell at Castleford, is now settling in at Oldham and will be offered a long-term contract.
Other moves yesterday saw a number of players join new clubs on loan: Lee Whiteley (Featherstone to Bramley); Ian McLean (Workington to Keighley); Terry Smirk (Hull to Leeds); Tony Conroy (Oldham to Swinton); and the former Great Britain forward, Bob Eccles, from Blackpool to Barrow. London Crusaders have signed Jason Pram from Irish rugby union.
Bobby Goulding, Widnes' former Great Britain scrum-half, is doubtful for the Challenge Cup preliminary tie against Swinton tomorrow with the shoulder injury that led to him being replaced during Sunday's defeat at Hull.
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