It does seem to be more prevalent these days. I would imagine it's easier for a foreign player to settle if they've not got a wife/partner and kids as was the case with TKL.

His mother was from Hull too wasn't she?

Seem a to me that this is happening a bit too much in recent years. Its almost like the precident has been set, and its now considered SL is just a part time gig until an NRL contract can be secured. How do we stop this happening? Is it a contractual issue? Is it possible to impose fines/financial penalties for reneging on a contract?

He signed a contract allowing him to leave after 12 months. To be honest if I was moving half way round the World i’d insist on the same option to be put in my contract.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Kevin Campion
(Iirc) he's the tosspot that announced he was signing for us for the 2001 season, and THEN got cold feet, citing England's poor summer weather.
His next club. NZ Warriors.
Of course, it NEVER rains in New Zealand, eh, readers.

Kevin Walters lasted 4 games. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby ... games.html

Kevin Walters lasted 4 games. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby ... games.html

you never heard the other story to that then?

Quote ="Builth Wells Wire"Kevin Walters lasted 4 games. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby ... games.html'" you know i never remember walters being here, though in his case he shouldn't have come over with his missus passing away.

Quote ="Builth Wells Wire"Kevin Walters lasted 4 games. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby ... games.html'" you know i never remember walters being here, though in his case he shouldn't have come over with his missus passing away.

Think the real reason ended up being when he was in Ireland camp with Fozzer, he was told about the way the club had dealt with Foz towards the end of his Warrington career. From this, Campion decided well if they treat a player like this who has given 20 years serice...then s0d that.....

Or so the story goes anyway.

What happened to Foz? Wasn't aware of it at the time?

he was let go at the end of the 00 season, after 20 years and was on the verge of getting a double testimonial as it was unheard of. But apparently the club was pretty slapdash about it, which got a lot of speccies(you don't hear that word anymore) backs up, the decision to release him was made after the season finished(iirc) and wasn't given a send off, as was the case with hilton who was out with (yet another) shoulder reconstruction.

Meanwhile danny farrar got chaired around the pitch and a guard of honour off it as he was retiring. It was a common accusation back then that the english/local players didn't get treated as well as van de velde's mates.

due to unrest with the locals, fozzie got a testimonial match at the start of 01, which was our then reserves which was pretty much the kids versus wigans reserves. It was something of a slap in the face considering the years he'd put in.

I remember him and Alfie. It was unbelievable. I thought we were in for another mid 80s revival.
Gutted when he went.

Not upset 1 little bit.Pity Sitaleki isn’t as homesick.

We used to sponsor Nikau so used to drink in the wine bar in Stockton Heath with all the overseas players after home games. Walters used to go in there with his girlfriend - she was fit as !! So, he was over his loss!! It was his girlfriend that never wanted to come - and he was clearly under the thumb!! All be it a very very pretty thumb!

Lol. The truth always comes out in the end.

I seem to remember the same happening to Lee Penny ,a testimonial game against a Cambridge University 13 in pre season. Ben Harrison's gig was no less insulting.

You'll have to forgive me, FMC and Longbarn Wire, if that's the correct version of events re Campion. I've never been close to the club, to hear rumours, let alone, believe them.

If your versions are true, THEN MORE FOOL CAMPION, for listening to an embittered Forster, in 2000.

Let me take you back to our final match of the 1992/3 season. Premiership Trophy Rd 1 at Wigan. Forster's contract was running out, as soon as we were knocked out of the comp. Offiah took the slash out of him, that day, scoring five times, and generally making Forster look foolish.
As I say, his contract ran out, and he became a free agent. No one came in for him, so we took him back , on a one year deal. THIS HAPPENED EVERY SEASON, until the turn of the Millennium. Each season, no-one wanting him, so we took him back each time. We didn't owe Forster a living, and by the time 2000 comes around, Forster's in his late 30's, and as good as finished. He meets up with Campion at the World Cup, and has a whinge to him, Campion takes it as gospel, so gives us the two fingers on Forster's bitterness, even though we gave Forster 7 more years than he should have had. Campion's loss, as we had the basis of a good side. His old team mates Langer, Gee and Walters. McCurrie, Nutley and Nikau. Briers and Kidwell. Not too shabby, eh? What did we get as replacement? Steve Georgalis, and he went home through injury, when the kids were opening their Easter Eggs. GREAT.

Anyway (sighs), back on thread, Roberts. I'm glad he's going. One good kicking display against Wigan (when we'd blitzed them through the forwards, in the opening 20 minutes), does not equate to value for money, in my eyes. And that's it. He's done little else of note since the opening round.

If ducky is still cabbing, maybe he'd like to take him to Manchester Airport, and cut short the pretence. He ain't all that.

Can't argue with that. As much as I wanted him to eventually explode into life, he didn't. He's been solid, well above average compared to other halfbacks in the comp, but nowhere near marquee value.

Maybe it's better to sign Aussies half way through the season when the weather is a bit nicer and the days longer lol

Winter rugby?

Suppose the only blessing in this is at least we have time to find a replacement.

My thoughts exactly. If he left right now we'd be screwed.

"knock knock"

"hello come in.. oh hello Tyrone"

"Hi boss... erm... well you see, ive been talking to the wife and..." <interupts>

"of COURSE we will let you go. cant be easy, young family and that.. missing the sunshine.... its hardly Bondi round here is it son? So we will terminate your contract at the end of the season and cite 'compassionate reasons'... "

"well, erm that's not it really, you see we fancy a day out in London and were wondering if you could reccomen" <interupts again>

"so we have already spoke to the Titans and they understand and are willing to have you back. So no hard feeling's, im sure the fans will understand"

"BUT..... BUT......"

"We realise its a shame and were all absolutely devastated you wont be staying another 2 years as the clubs marquee signing... Quick one... See this <shows phone screen>... Do you think this is a fake Sandow account, or the real one?"

IF he has a break clause and IF he honours the full one year, then I've not got a problem with it. Plenty of time and cash to find a replacement and so many on here thinking that he's not really 'all that' anyway.....