Eagles swoop for Pair
SHEFFIELD Eagles has signed two young half-backs from Hull's Super League clubs.


Coach Mark Aston agreed deals to bring Pat Smith, from Hull FC, and Ben Hardcastle, from Hull KR, for 2011. "We are looking to the future" he said.

"The lads have come through the system at good clubs - they are just leaving the under 20s, that's they have been released."

Aston is also seeking an experienced half-back to replace Brendon Lindsay who played his last game for Eagles in the play-off semi-final defeat at Halifax.

"We need an experienced half-back," said Aston. "We have Simon Brown who is a young kid and at Halifax some of his decisions were poor. We need someone to develop these kids and Brendon won't be here so we will bring someone in. It will never be a quick fix at Eagles and these kids are the key to the future."

Aston could make a return to Halifax to sign Luke Branighan. The Australian, who was with Gateshead Thunder in 2009 and plays international rugby for Malta, could fit the bill. The Malta link makes Branighan attractive with visitMalta.com being Sheffield United's main sponsor. The Eagles played eight home games at Bramall Lane in the past season and hope to continue to play at the Blades' stadium again next season.

Aston added: "Out of respect to our players I will sit down with every single one of them and talk to them whether they are in the plans or not. We have plenty of people in the bag who have signed and plenty of quality players who want to come here. They know what we do and the club sells itself; it's a professional, honest club."

In the row with Halifax over former player Sam Barlow, the West Yorks club has replied to the Eagles approach for compensation but neither club is commenting.

Approaching a Player who is currently under contract for 2 years ?. is that not what Aston is moaning about with Barlow ?. I hope they have spoke to The Board or whoever they have to approach, double standards to me then.

And who this reporter is i dont know but what a Dummy, Sheffield United have nothing to do with The Eagles other than Brammall Lane so what does a Maltese Passport and stuff matter. Just plane Bizarre Reporting.

IF the Eagles do well,then SUFC benefit,Sheffield United are sponsored by the Maltese tourist board and promote holidays to Malta etc,They have a Maltese player in Bogdanovic who is the face of the Maltese promotion,Maybe the Eagles brand will be pushed more next year and the face of Malta Branaghin on the rugby side,It's forward thinking,Also if the Eagles do well Bramall Lane may get some Challenge cup/World Cup games,To quote a Famous poster on another forum "Engage brain before knowing the facts".

Cracking forward thinking, Lets put the Face of a Aussie on our promote Malta Billboards,

Just cause he has a Maltese Passport means nothing nowadays, National Sides are no Longer National sides when they recruit players who's grandads once lived there etc.

its just a ploy by the Pie man !!!

Very loud sound of whinging here.

I think Branighan would be an excellent signing.

Faxhali Your boring!!!!

Roll on Sunday and a win for Feath,Your gunna get it sunbeam!!!!!

Like you did last week



. Just cause your season is over !!!

Branno is a top signing for anyone, He is however under a 2 year contract so i hope you have approached us properly to discuss a possible signing.

and his release from contract should cost more than £500.

That would make Shad Royston Dutch. We could've farmed him out as the face of [url=http://www.clogs.co.uk/Walkley Clogs[/url



What? I'm just saying.....

I think this article is more speculation and goading more than anythig substantial.

I cant believe i actually clicked on the link. Our Old Boy Damien Gibson Played for wales but was about as welsh as Hulk Hogan, Can you imagine him promoting Holidays in the Brecon beacons with a Ausy accent,
" Come to wales cause its got loads more to offer than Australia does " lol

Anyway off topic, Your not getting Branno and we knocked you out of the playoffs



, after the way your Coach has conducted himself i would be suprised if any fax player would want to go there. No matter what money is offered, its about Honesty and Integrity and thats what our players offer !!!!!

Good luck sunday!!!!

All said in fun and Jest, i hope you have a great season next year except when playing us.

If sheffield sign Branighan I'll show my @rse in Rovrum's all saint's square!!!

I defo cant see any of the fax lads going to Sheffield unless they are in a bind with no other offers, with all that has gone the last week or so with Aston, i cant see any of them wanting to be a part of a team with a leader like him.

Bookmarked

You might just regret that!!

Ben Hardcastle is a great signing too.

And where exactly does it say he has been approached?

oh No I won't!!

It doesn't. However their is no way Fax are going to allow sheffield into talks with Branno, Not now surely !!!

I'm sure if there was any truth in the speculation that we'd follow the correct procedure and if that was rejected then that would be the end of it.

In yer dreams matey.

I heard they'd snap the hands off anybody who made an offer to take any of their contract players.

Aston normally likes to wait until players have signed contracts with other clubs before making an approach to them. We lost one of our first-choice props for the whole of 2010 thanks to an alleged 'word in his ear', shortly after he had signed a new deal with us. The player in question then demanded an immediate release from the contract he had just signed so that he could move to Sheffield Eagles. Batley refused to budge and the player decided to sit out the entire season. Mr.Aston is a hypocrite to be taking the moral high ground over anyone.

That's news to us. Don't suppose you'll name any names?????

I doubt we will be signing Branighan, I've heard he's on £40K at the moment. We certainly won't be paying anyone that.

A name would be very interesting