Welcome 2021 Signing

August 2020: The 2020 season may have come, prematurely, to an end for Whitehaven RL but they have moved quickly to make their first signing for the 2021 Betfred Championship season. Aussie, Ryan King, is the first new member of Gary Charlton's 2021 squad. The 23 year old prop forward joins Haven on a one year deal having played at Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks in Australia. In 2017 he was part of the Italy train on squad for the Rugby League World Cup and is again in their train on squad for the 2021 World Cup which is being held in England.

David wins 2005 Awards

David Fatialofa received most of the awards at the 2005 awards presentation night. The ever reliant prop has played a key role in the clubs success. Fats was voted Player of Year by the fans and also took the Directors' Player of the Year.

August 2005

Welcome Back to the Recre for the defence busting talent of Ryan Tandy.........

April 2005
WHITEHAVEN have futher stregthened their squad with the capture of Wath Brow Hornets’ amateur international Mark Deans on a two-year deal.

WHITEHAVEN have also pulled off a huge coup by signing Super League prop Neil Baynes from Salford. Baynes, 27, made 17 top-flight appearances for Salford last season and has initially joined Haven on a one-month loan but coach Steve McCormack is eager to tie up a longer deal.And the 17-stone powerhouse, who has played over 200 Super League games for the City Reds and Wigan, will make his debut in the West Cumbrian derby against Workington Town at the Recre on Good Friday. A number of other clubs showed interest in Baynes when it emerged that he wanted to move from The Willows but he opted to join Haven due to his long association with the Haven boss. McCormack said: “With his quality, his massive go-forward and offload game, he will add to our side.” Baynes has not yet trained with his new team-mates and will not feature at Barrow tomorrow but will take on Town next week.

March 2005:

WHITEHAVEN have futher stregthened their squad with the capture of Wath Brow Hornets’ amateur international Mark Deans on a two-year deal.

In July 2004 Haven welcomed aboard flying winger Craig Calvert, 20, from Wath Brow. Craig won the award in 2004 as the second fastest man in professional RL. He clocked up five tries in just four outings for Haven. Also signed that summer was young Aussie forward Ryan Tandy.

December 2003...Welcome to ex-Hornet ace kicker, Mick Nanyn. With 123 goals last season, Nanyn is top NFP1 goal kicker. Last season at Spotland he also scored 26 tries in 32 appearances.

In Oct 2002 Haven signed up both Barrow scrum half Darren Holt and Mike Whitehead. Sadly we lost Warren Stevens back to Warrington and Mark Cox to London Broncos.

Paul Cullen. Super League clubs have always recognised this man's talents but fortunately he had his mind focussed on getting Haven to the top, well almost of the NFP. Paul Cullen came on board Sept 15 2000 from Warrington (then aged 38)where he was assistant coach. The voice behind some of the commentating on Sky Sport. Cullen joined Warrington as a youngster and served 17 years as a player before joining the coaching staff. While caretaker in 97 he spearheaded victory over mighty Wigan.

Aaron Lester, Hooker/Loose forward - 6’ 15st. Professional. Another New Zealander, Aaron (26) is rated as one of the best players outside of Super League’. A dedicated professional who played for Auckland Warriors before being signed in 1996 by Stan Martin. Has represented the Junior Kiwis, NZ Residents and NZ nines.
Wesley Wilson, Fullback - 5’ 9" l3st. 21b. Engineer. Signed from Wath Brow Hornets in 1997. Gained U18 international honours with BARLA, he made his 1st team debut shortly after signing and has remained an automatic choice ever since.

WHITEHAVEN's latest signing (October 2002) was Mike Whitehead, a Barrovian who has played with Wigan's Academy team.

Gary Broadbent: Another 2003 signing...Can play full-back or centre, signed in close season from Salford. The 26-year-old went professional with Widnes in 1993. He was capped for Emerging England before moving to Salford. A former Walney amateur plays full-back or centre, signed in close season from Salford. The 26-year-old went professional with Widnes in 1993. He was capped for Emerging England before moving to Salford.

Mark Wallace, Winger Another player who has returned to the Recreation Ground after spending last season at Workington. A quick pacy winger winger who will give the Warriors backline added finishing ability .
Marc Jackson: Former Wath Brow amateur and
BARLA Youth player of the year Jackson
is a very exciting prospect. The hooker, aged 23 provides
Aaron Lester with plenty of competition for places. Never stops trying!
Dean Burgess: Young talent, being brought on
well by Whitehaven. Just 18 years old, versatile in the pack,
probably has a future at loose-forward
but is also at home in the centres.

Ryan Campbell: Set for a bright future.
The 21-year-old centre was the academy player
of the year at Haven's end of season presentation.
Has played for Scottish Students
and Great Britain Students.

David Seeds, Centre - 5’11" I 3st. 6lb. Project Draughtsman. A strong running centre, David toured Australia with the GB BARLA squad in 1993. Another product of the famous Kells club. Represented Cumbria against Australia in 1994. A classy centre who topped the try scorers last season with 13.(16 the year before) Signed up for two years (Sept 2000)

Howard Hill Loose Forward 6’1" 16st A local lad who was a member of the Oldham Bears super League squad . Has now rejoined his home town club after playing for Swinton. He started out as a junior with Hensingham. A player who will bring physical presence and skill to the team. Plays either at centre or pack back-row.

Lee Kiddie, Stand off- 510" l2st. 61b. Electrician. A talented half back who was Haven’s top try scorer in 1998, another former BARLA Australian tourist who signed from Kells in 1993/94.An elusive runner with an eye for the gap. He has signed for two years (2000 season)
He came back after a bad injury last year to stake his
claim and made 15 appearances, 10 off
the bench, scoring four tries.

Darren King: A former Workington Town academy
youngster who is definitely one to watch out
for. The hooker, aged 20, picked up three awards
in the Haven Academy presentation for 2002.

Steve Kirkbride: As steady a kicker as you would ever wish to have on yur side At just 22 years of age Kirkbride was a regular in the Haven first team last season, kicking 86 goals in 39
appearances. Yet another to be fighting fo
r the half-back slot this term.

John Lebbon: Another promising youngster from Egremont, John, 18, is highly rated for his speed and footwork by coach Steve McCormack.
He has already proved himself in the first team this season.
Chris McKinney: A back rower with a
lot of power. Chris is a strong tackler
who featured 31 times in a Haven shirt
last season, 10 off the bench, after joining from Widnes, aged 26.
Paul O'Neil: Versatile youngster who filled the full-back
berth for most of last season when Wesley Wilson was
sidelined. Also used as a goalkicker the 23-year-old can play
on the wing.
Garry Purdham:(Sadly killed by rampaging Derrick Bird in 2010) An untiring back rower
who gave 110% in all games, Garry,
24, was a former BARLA international who was a
member of the victorious Egremont Rangers team
that beat Town in the Challenge Cup.
Spencer Miller: Aged 22, Miller is a strong tackling,
mobile forward, who plays above his weight.
Consistently turns in good performances and made
31 appearances for Haven in 2002.

David Fatialofa, Forward - 5’ 11" I 6st. 7lb. Professional. A hardworking rock solid forward who signed for the club in 1996 having previously played in his native New Zealand and in France. Represented the Junior Kiwis in 1992 and 1993. In 2000 season Fats was selected for Samoa's world cup squad.

Craig Chambers, 2nd Row - 6’ 1 6st. Rigger. Powerful strong running forward. Another signing from the Kells club, he is now in his 7th season with the club.The 28-year-old wing-er is back in training.

Graeme Morton, 2nd Row -6'; 15st. 7lb. Electrical Engineer. Strong hard tackling forward, yet another signing from the Kells amateur side. Signed in 1993 after representing BARLA GB U19’s against Australia and France.
Phil Sherwen: Another player who always
gives 110%. Farmer Phil's tackle count is
outstanding and the former Wath Brow back rower,
aged 24, is a firm crowd favourite alongside his compatriot Jacko.

Gary Smith: The 20-year-old has bulked up and sees his
future in the front row but can also play in second row. He featured 25 times for the first team last season, 20 off the bench.

Leigh Smith: The powerful winger, aged 27, crossed the tryline 15 times last season in 27 appearances.He uses his height and strength to good effect in attacking plays.Jamie Stenhouse: Another close season signing from Swinton Lions. The 22-year-old centre was formerly Warrington Wolves' under-21 player of the year.
Dean Vaughan: Dedicated to the club and the game, this prop forward has aspirations to play at Super League level. Vaughan played 30 games in the pack for Haven in 2002.
Mark Wallace: After problems with injury Mark, 24, hopes to make a comeback in the not too distant future. His speed and agility, even from a standing start, will ensure he is pressing for his wing berth.
Craig Walsh: Centre 5’11" I 3st. Fitter, An exciting centre a product of Kells ARLFC who was signed after starring for the clubs academy team. aged 24, 2003 returned to the Haven fold after a spell out of the game. Although he began his career at half-back, he has been utilised more in the centres or on the wing in recent years.

Wesley Wilson: Wesley, 25, is still dogged by injury problems which have affected his pre-season training but when fully fit he is an excellent full-back.

Steven Wood: Wood, 25, a former Haven Academy half-back Wood signed after being released from his two-year Town contract. The county rugby union ace played at full-back for Town.

Lookin Back

Mark Cox, Prop - 6’ 4" 1 7st. Joiner. The giant of the squad and a player who puts fear into his opponents. Signed from Wath Brow Hornets in 1996 he broke into the 1st team regularly last season after successful seasons in the academy side which saw him representing Gt. Britain in the 1998 academy team against France.
Garry Ruddy Winger 5’ 11" 13 st A top try scorer while with Carlisle, but failed to make an impression at Barrow in the last two seasons. This pacy winger will now look to restart his career with the Warriors this season.
Robert Purdham Stand Off 5’10" Farmer A classy skilful footballer who came to the fore with Egremonts Conference winning team in 1998. Signed for the Warriors last year and has already played first grade rugby.A young player with a big future.
February 2002 saw Haven sign Super League prop Warren Stevens. Aged 23 he is giant at 6ft 3 ins and weighs in at 16.5 stone. a former GB Academy youngster. Four years at Warrington (where he was taken on as a 17 year old by Cullen) and two at Salford. He has signed up till the end of the season.
Wayne Kitchin, Back-S 8" 1 3st. 81b. Electrical Instrument Mechanic. Signed from Workington Town in 1997. Wayne is a versatile player with an eye for a gap and another product of the Kells club, who gained international honours with BARLA on the 1989 tour to Australia.Not seen out for Haven for some time.Graeme Colley. Colley, 18, played for a full season in Egremont's last year in the National Conference division and was attracting attention from both Whitehaven and Town. Amongst his honours he counts County U16, where he was named Man-of-the-Match against Lancashire and Copeland caps throughout the ages. He started his rugby league career with his home town club of Egremont Rangers and played through their junior ranks from U9 to U18.
On the books in the 2001-2002 season were: Aaron Lester, Ian Devlin, David Seeds, Leigh Smith, Leroy Joe, Steve Kirkbride, Mark Cox, Cunningham, Marc Jackson, Dean Vaughan, Chris McKinney, Morton, G.Purdham, King, D. Burgess, S.Miller, G.Smith. R.Campbell A.Nelson, Craig Wash, (Robert Purdham) Spence Miller, Garry Purdham,Lee Kiddie, Mark Cox, David Fatialofa, Craig Chambers, Graeme Morton, Howard Hill, (Wayne Kitchen)Chris Campbell, Paul O'Neil, Jonathan Wignall, Mark Wallace, G.Smith, D.King,