Just seen the ctv...it is a disgrace, a sad day for our great sport, a sport which we take our children. We can argue all day about who has done what for which team..that does not detract from the viewing of that scene and the damage that has caused to our sport, it is plastered all over the news FFS..The saddest thing is that Thug took the attention away from a young man who lost his life playing the sport. Totally horrific

That's just upped the stakes regarding whatever Rovers decide to do.

Correct.



If you were an employer you may well have people who have done this, or worse, working for you.



Maybe, it depends. If you were sent to prison your contract of employment would be terminated. If you weren't sent to prison you would probably be making a claim for unfair dismissal, if your employer sacked you.



Hmmm.

But there was no CCTV footage, so it doesn't count.




Some of the posts on here are absolutely pathetic and the people mentioning Leon Walker should be ashamed. The tragic death of a young player has NOTHING to do with what Ben Cockayne did and using it to fuel the fire is just sickening (berrigans bitch).

Why?

I can't help wondering, had Cas secured Ben Cockayne for their own team last season, in the middle of this case, when they were very close to doing so, would they be getting rid of him now? I think not somehow.

Hayward is a reserves player, big difference.

Not really, they should not be influenced by Cas sacking a second string bit parter. Would they sack Westerman if it was him involved instead, I doubt it. They also chased Cockayne during the period between the offence and the sentencing, knowing he had pleaded guilty, so this is not as spectacular a decision as some seem to think.

If Rovers sack him I will support that decision, what I am concerned about is that the club or the RFL are influenced by the media, clips of CCTV and e-mails from 'fans' they are doubtless going to get. You know Kosh, everything you stand up against on Sin Bin.

Or the matter might be dealt with as per Rovers' internal disciplinary policy.
That procedure may remain private and confidential.

We don't know at this stage. Different clubs, different players, different standards and policies.

I'll bet a pound to a pinch of salt that if Rovers do sack him; he'll be signed up by another SL club within a week.

You are correct..and that is where the problem lies if we are to attempt to try and address/rid this kind of thing from the sport.

Maybe, but not if the RFL impose their own sanctions on him similar to those dished out some players in the NRL.

Perhaps if precedents had been set in the past by clubs when players had been convicted of violence, we might have a system in place to deal with it, instead we have this 'debate' everytime it happens.

Ben has been given his penalty and will deal with it, if rovers do sack him i'm sure he'll be snapped up very quickly. To be honest i've known the lad a very long time and he's one of the nicest blokes i know. Think its time to put it all to bed now.

You're not allowed to say that. He is clearly a serial violent offender and potential murderer. It's not safe to walk the streets (unless he gets sacked by Rovers then everything will be ok again).

You don't get out much then?

Are you joking. it was rightfully reported in the media about his funeral and a rugby community mourning ast the loss of a young life, and on the same day a professional player who is a thug was splashed all over the news..

You want sickening mate watch the ctv footage of your player who took the limelight yesterday.
All you want to do is get into an argument of your player did this blah de blah..whose the sickening

Yes I agree, the scary thing is we may well be debating it again

WTF has leon walker got to do with this, wind your neck in and go wash some pots!

The press print it because the public like it, thats one reason I no longer bother with papers.

Looking at that he is lucky he didnt kill the bloke. Ive seen less than that do the trick. The other bloke doesnt even try to defend himself. Cowardly attack. Rovers need to dismiss him after that and again i feel seriously let down by the English legal system!!

your post says it all

as said before can't defend what he's done, but, unfortunately this sort of thing happens week in week out, he's been sentenced, deal with it!

If Rovers do take the action of sacking him, I hope they get the RFL to refuse any other club permission to sign him, if not what would be the point, the player will not be punished just the club. I would imagine Rovers will take advice from the RFL and if they say they cannot prevent him signing elswhere, why would we sack him.

could'nt help myself, its friday!

Eh? Why should i get over not liking thugs like that to be walking the street still. It could have been anyone of us, would you be getting over it if was a relative of yours or your child for example? I know youre not defending it, but to say get over it is almost doing the same. Our legal system is pathetic.

Ive worked in town for a number of years and have seen incidents like this. Ive also seen a far less severe incident lead in death. Cockayne is a lucky boy, and a rovers player or not i would have been a little annoyed about this as you can tell.