Whitehaven RL Recreation Ground Coach Rd Whitehaven Tel 01946 692915 Fax 01946 695805

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To contact Club officials please email to: info@whitehavenrl.co.uk

Action pictures can be purchased from photographer Mike McKenzie

Travel for away fixtures contact Steve Shepherd Tel. 07740867495.
Lottery draw
Help the club and join the club's lottery draw...WRLC are keen to welcome new members for the Club lottery,please ring the office 9am to 2 pm Monday to Fridays or 1.30 to 2.45pm on home match days. Tel 01946 692915

Craig Calvert's T'rrific Try

Leigh Farewell 24-30 (Sept 7 )

HIGHS AND LOWS 2008

2008 was the season that saw the club go to the brink of financial meltdown (once again, echoes of 1992!) But sponsors and Copeland Council rallied round and 2009 may see stadium dreams rise again.
On the field, critics of incoming coach Ged Stokes had to eat their hats as Haven stormed through to the semi finals of the Cup and fifth place in the league above
Widnes.

Farewells to Broadbent

Gary Broadbent has signed for his home town at Barrow (October 12 2008). Barrow Raiders looking set to be a real handful next season as they splash the promo cash.

WHITEHAVEN have signed Aussie playmaker Dan Russell on a one-year deal. Dan Russell, is joining Haven from Gateshead. Russell has been a stand-out this term for Gateshead Thunder

Haven bowed out at the Willows
Sept 19 2008
SALFORD 62 (42-6) 18 WHITEHAVEN.
After a fantastic victory against Halifax, the odds were always stacked against Haven. Full time professionals Salford started the game quickly and soon raced to a 30-0 lead. Haven did manage to hit back with a Spencer Miller try, but even at this point the game was over.

Two further tries from Marc Shackley and an Ade Adebisi, effort which was eventually given after video ref Steve Ganson had a word in Richard Silverwoods ear, was never going to be enough to get Haven back in the game. In an emotional end to the game, David Fatialofa was lifted by the players and the fans clapped off a true Haven legend in his last ever game for the club after over 10 years service.

Squad: Broadbent, Calvert, R Jackson, Patrick, Adebisi, McNally, Manihera, Edmonson, Joe, Fatialofa, Miller, Barker, Makisi: Gorski, Shackley, McDonald, M Jackson

Leigh Beaten at Home
Revenge was sweet as Haven defeated Leigh 30-24 at Sunday's play-off.

A brace by Ade Adebisi, and tries from Howard Hill and Gregg McNally ensured Haven caused a big upset to progress to the next round of the play-offs.

Whitehaven will now play Halifax at the Shay next weekend.

Haven up to Fifth Place

Haven 20.(12-6)..Widnes 16
Despite help from our old friends Fletcher and Duffy, Widnes were defeated at the Recre today ( Sunday August 24) . Tries from Rob Jackson and Scott McAvoy.Goals kicked by Manihera and McNally.Young McNally Man of the Match award winner.

Haven squad was: McAvoy, Calvert, McNally, Edmondson, Mattinson, Broadbent, Adebisi, Makisi, R. Jackson, Manihera, Joe, Fatialofa, Spence Miller; Patrick, Teare, Gorski and Hill.
Vikings: Hardman, Dean,Morrison, Gannon, Gaskell, Dodd, Tyrer, Patterson, Duffy, Beswick, Smith, Fletcher, Snith; Morton, Ostick, Hartley and McLoughlin.

Ref was Steve Ganson, gate was 2,100.

Leigh 32-8 Whitehaven..tries Makisi and Adebisi...3,522 spectators

Haven Bites

Haven 52- (10-2) Sheffield 8

Ged was rightly chuffed as Joe and Manihera got creative with lots of beef from the forwards and Jacko.
No weak links in front of Sky cameras. Tries from Adebisi, Spence in the first half
(10-2) at half time.

In second half Haven totally took control and McAvoy, Broadbent, Manihera (his 1st Haven try), Calvert, Jacko and Mattinson went over. This is a side that should be in Super League!
Broadbent, Calvert, R Jackson, Patrick, Adebisi, Manihera, Joe, Edmonson, Mattinson, Hill, Miller, McAvoy, Makisi Subs: Barker, McDonald, M Jackson, Teare
Ref: G Hewer Att: 1,904

Past the Pelican blues Dewsbury 18...Haven 16

Not even Loser Points for Fax

July 27 2008 Haven 28 - Halifax 12


While it was 12-12 at half-time the Haven defences held under pressure and with tries including a debut from John patrick the home side continued Ged's run of wins.

Men of the Match were Joe and Broadbent.

In the first half Adibisi opened the scoring by sprinting the length of the pitch in true Calvert style to touch down. Then it was Howard Hill who created a way through for Rob Jackson to complete. Ben Black then scored for Halifax and then Patterson also crossed. Haven again ignored Ged's two fingers to miss a penalty opportunity.

In the second period Makisi scored but for this and the next we were without the steady boot of Manihera. Scott McAvoy also made a great burst through run but there was nobody to act in support. John Patrick then got on the score sheet to leave it 22-12. Leroy Joe kicked through for Calvert? to score the final try for Haven.

Squad: Broadbent, Adibisi, R.Jackson, S.McAvoy, Calvert, Manihera, Joe, Edmundson, G.Mattinson, McDonald, Hill, Miller, Makisi; Patrick, Gorskie, Ford and M.Jackson.

The gate was 1853 with Colin Dawber as ref.

Haven beat the Welsh


July 19 2008
26-22 victory over Super League Franchise hopefuls Celtic Crusaders at Brewery Field.

John Patrick had his debut as Haven beat the best of Welsh RL..

Spencer Miller was first to score and Tane Manihera added the extras to put Haven 6-4 in the lead.

Haven then scored next through Adebisi thanks to Rob Jackson. The centre drew his man in before passing to Adebisi who ran closer to the posts before touching down. Manihera steady boot gave Haven a 12-4 lead. The Crusaders bounced back thanks to Dalle Corte neatly offloading to Paul Ballard Celtic took the lead before the break with a Ben Flower try. Lennonconverted and it was14-12 to the Welsh at half time.

Celtic watched by TV viewers opened with a Mark Lennon penalty. However Leroy Joe put Haven did the well rehearsed kick through for Craig Calvert to collect and touch down. Soon after big man Ryan McDonald gathered and scored. Unconverted it was 20-16 to Haven. Celtic faught back when Damien Quinn scooted over from close range to touch down by the posts. Lennon added the extras to put Celtic 22 points to 20 in the lead. It was Haven who had the final say of the afternoon though. Gary Broadbent offloaded the ball whilst on the deck to Rob Jackson who saw a gap and dived in for his 7th try of the season. Manihera added the extras with 10 minutes to go. Haven defences then held to the nailbiting finish

Haven Broadbent, Calvert, R Jackson, McAvoy, Adebisi, Manihera, Joe, McDonald, Mattinson, Edmonson, Miller, Hill, Makisi; Subs: Ford, Gorski, M Jackson, Patrick

Ref: Ronnie Laughton
Att: 1870

Whitehaven fantastic 32-14 victory over Sheffield
July 13 2008 at the Don Valley Stadium.


Ged signs for Two Years


WHITEHAVEN RL coach Ged Stokes has been given a big vote of confidence with the award of a new two-year deal with the club.

It will tie him to the Recreation Ground until the end of the 2010 season.

Haven take Rams as predicted
Video Clips



Whitehaven 24 Dewsbury 16
Sunday, June 29 2008
Tries from Mattinson, Calvert, McNally and Spence Miller with Rudd and Manihera kicking two goals apiece. Dewbury tries from Finn and R. Smith.
Haven: Broadbent, Adebisi, R Jackson, Makisi, Calvert, Manihera, McNally, Edmondson, Mattinson, McDonald, Hill, Miller, Rudd. Subs: Sice, Gorski, McAvoy, M Jackson

Rams: Colleran, Powell, Epati, Hall, Buchanan, Smith, Finn, Trinder, Elston, Maloney, Glassie, Bostock, Weeden. Subs: Haigh, Rourke, Robinson, Walker

Gate: 1,400

Halifax dominate
Halifax 38; Tries from Varkulis,Greenwood , P.Smith(2), Black and Flanagan (2)
Haven 14 Tries from makisi, R.Jackson and Spence Miller, Rudd kicked one goal.

Progress at Last!


Deal struck with the Miners' Welfare for a 50 year long lease on the Recreation Ground. This could open up the prospect of major new investment in the home of Haven.
Plans above (2007) by architects Day Cummins for
two new stands for the Recreation Ground.

Gregg McNally selected to play for the summer's Aussie tour at the age of 17.

Spence scores on his
200th Appearance!

Haven romped home in the first half and kept an increasingly frustrated Featherstone away from bonus losers points. Man of the Match by sponsors Hertel was the magic boot of Tane Manihera.


Ade celebrates his Snatch and Grab try

Haven 32-(30-6)18 Featherstone
'There you go mate', was the message from McNally as he carved a way through the defence and neatly passed to Spence Miller for his testimonial try. It would have been jam on the cake if McNally had in the second half completed a break away run for the try line in the dying minutes. Howard Hill opened the scoring in the first three minutes.

Spence then scored and Manihera converted both. Ade Adibisi then presurred the Rovers to allow him to
grab a kicked through ball over the visitor's try line. Saxton then came back to reply for Rovers and Dickens converted. Craig Calvert then scored followed soon after in the first period by Scott McAvoy. Adibisi then had his second try of the match to make it 30-6 a reflection of Haven's smart play and control of the first period.

In the second period skipper Dickens scored for Rovers but soon after the frustration saw Adebisi knocked out cold and
soon after Rovers no 7 was sin binned. Barker held his head in disgust when he let McNally down when he should have been put in for a try when Barker had only the fullback to beat. Haven ignored their boss in not kicking one penalty but took the two points on the next penalty awarded. In the closing stages Hughes got a consolation try but no bonus points.
Meanwhile...Workington Town blew an 18-6 interval lead to lose at Sedgeley Park as Swinton Lions came back to win 33-24. As good as Town were in the first-half, they were awful in the second period

Recent recruit Andy Gorski was axed from Whitehaven’s squad.
Haven: Broadbent, Adebisi, R.Jackson,Makisi, Calvert,Manihera,McNally,
Edmundson,Mattinson,McDonald,Hill,McAvoy,Miller;
Smith, M.Jackson,D Barker, Ford.
Rovers: Wilderbore,Pryce,Kirk,Saxton,Batty,Kain,Handforth,Tonks,McLocklan,Dickens,
Hesketh,Blakeway,Haughey;Hughes,Richardson,Handforth,Houston.
Attendance 1950
Ref T. Alidert

Three Try Debut for McNally!

Haven whipped the Salford Reds with a 26-(16-18) 22 show fit for Sky TV. Schoolboy Gregg McNally left the Sky pundits in awe as he ran in three fantastic tries. Our Men of theMatch were McNally (of course) but also Howard Hill, Marc jackson and Broadbent after he made up for his first half slip up. Ged Stokes fully vindicated for allowing the young bloods to have their day.. Oh and another Man of the Match award for Manehera for rock solid kicking! The trainee French ref Thierry Alibert was also spot on, apart from disallowing Adebesis cool downing of the ball. In second half an increasingly desperate Robbie Paul and the Salford side kept hammering at the door but the Haven defences held. Calvert almost completed one of his famous bursts through the defences .
Reds tries from Stapleton, Sidlow and White.

Fans say Don't let Gregg Go!
Afterwards Club director Mike Graham said: “As things stand Gregg is on our books until July next year, we will be doing everything in our power to keep Gregg and the rest of our promising young Academy players, in their best interests as well as the club’s.”

Match Video...


The starting line up for Thursday May 29 was follows:
1 GARY BROADBENT FULLBACK
2(5) ADE ADEDESI RIGHT WING
3 ROB JACKSON RIGHT CENTRE
4 SAIA MAKISI LEFT CENTRE
5(2) CRAIG CALVERT LEFT WING
6 TANE MANIHERA STAND OFF
7 GREGG Mc NALLY HALF BACK
8 KARL EDMONDSON PROP
9 GRAEME MATTINSON HOOKER
10 HOWARD HILL PROP
11 ANDY GORSKI
12 SCOTT McAVOY
13 SPENCER MILLER
14 CHRIS SMITH HOOKER
15 DAVID FORD PROP
16 DANNY BARKER LOCK
17 MARK JACKSON PROP
18 JOHN LEBBON

Batley defeat: 36-20..Haven tries Eilbeck and Broadbent, with goals from Manihera

Reserves show how its Done


John Lebbon
Marc Jackson and the reserve side show the first team how it should be played with 52-34 win over Rochdale. Haven team:1 Craig Benson, 2 Paul Lancaster, 3 Dan Smith, 4 John Patrick, 5 John Lebbon, 6 Gregg McNally, 7 Martin Gambles, 8 Andrew Jones, 9 Chris Smith, 10 Marc Jackson, 11 Craig Hodgson, 12 Stephan Fox, 13 Marc Shackley; 14 Nathan Mossop, 15 Brad Crellin, 16 Tony Burns, 17 Steve Ormisher.

Another Blackpool trial signing?
According to Getnoticedonline

Steve Ormesher, the former Blackpool Panthers and Workington Town prop forward, has joined Whitehaven on a month’s trial. Ormesher has only had one training session at the Recreation Ground so is not included in the Haven squad for Sunday’s trip to Batley. Last season Ged Stokes signed Ormesher for Workington Town while he was head coach at Derwent Park and the 6ft 5ins forward settled in well, although he was sent-off on two occasions.

Pie Eaters swallow Haven

Wigan 106...Haven 8 at the JJB Monday May 12
Wigan: Richards, Calderwood, Goulding, Carmont, Colbon, Barrett, S Tomkins, Coley, Higham, Paleaaesina, Bailey, Hock, O’Loughlin. Subs Mathers, Fielden, Hansen, Prescott.

Tries: Tomkins 5, Barrett 3, Hansen 2, Paleaaesina 2,Calderwood 2 O’Loughlin, Higham, Richards, Bailey. G: Richards 17

Haven: Broadbent, Adebisi, Jackson, McAvoy, Calvert, Rudd, Bainbridge, Edmondson, Mattinson, McDonald, Hill, Miller, Makisi. Subs Eilbeck, Ford, Barker, Teare.

Tries: Adebisi, Jackson

HT 48-8

Attendance 3,814

Ref Richard Silverwood

Can Ged persuade Lester to Return?

Written by John Walsh
Friday, 09 May 2008

Getnoticedonline has had an exclusive interview with Whitehaven coach Ged Stokes in which he explains how he has had talks with former Recreation Ground legend Aaron Lester.

Ged also discusses his new signings Tane Manihera and Martin Gambles; what his targets are for the rest of the season; the big contracts which put Whitehaven in severe financial difficulty; preparations for Wigan on Monday and how he has coped with his time out of the game.

To hear the interview in full just switch to our audio section and click on the Rugby League link for Ged Stokes.

Don't forget you heard it first on getnoticedonline.co.uk

Fans Anger
Much anger on the club message board that when the Club is in trouble and needed 50 year lease to develop, all the Miners' Welfare did was offer 15 year lease and slap on a rent rise....With friends like these what chance has Haven. Miners' Welfare trustees may have false hopes the land is ripe for residential valuations...highly unlikely on a high flood risk area!

Three key players Injured

Whitehaven 28 (8-16).Leigh 16
Match Vid...
Leigh had an initial lead destroyed with Haven tries from Makisi, Rob Jackson, Calvert, Adebisi and Rudd. Rudd kiced four goals. Haven were helped in the second period by the red carding of Mike Morrison. But the game will impact on future games as playmaker Leroy Joe and prop David Fatialofa both broke arms while hooker Sice fractured a bone in his hand.
Ref Jamie Leahy

Squad:Broadbent, Calvert, R.Jackson, Bainbridge, Edmondson, Joe, G.Mattinson, Adebisi, Makisi, McDonals, Miller, Hill, Rudd; Sice, S.McAvoy, Fatialofa, Gorski.

AGM Concerns for Haven Ltd

The accounts: See for yourself the problems faced by the Board

Annual accounts for 2007 for Whitehaven RL were on April 30 2008 revealed at the AGM. Local media reports potential losses of £200,000. Soon after Barry Richardson resigned.
Meanwhile Haven signed Tani Manihera.

Welcome aboard for Gorski!

Andy Gorski was included in the squad
against Salford Reds. Salford City Reds 36...Whitehaven 10 (tries from Calvert and Hill) Gate 3,252. Full Haven squad: Broadbent, Calvert, Rob Jackson, Sice, McAvoy, Makisi, Adebisi, Joe, M. Jackson,S.Miller, Hill, Rudd; Mattinson, Edmondson, Fatialofa, Gorski.

Fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Wigan away for Whitehaven.
Watch the Lezignan match vid...

Ties from the fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup will be played on the weekend of 10 and 11 May. The two televised ties will be St Helens V Warrington Wolves on Saturday 10 May (BBC 1, kick off 15:00) and Hull KR V Huddersfield Giants on Sunday 11 May (BBC 2, kick off 13:15)

This year’s final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 August.

The full draw is:

Hull KR V Huddersfield Giants

Barrow Raiders V Wakefield Wildcats

Dewsbury Rams V Oldham

Bradford Bulls V Catalans Dragons

Wigan Warriors V Whitehaven

Widnes Vikings V Hull FC

Harlequins RL V Leeds Rhinos

St Helens V Warrington Wolves

Ged's Second!

Watch the Pro Cam video against Crusaders

Haven get grip on Welsh/Aussie Superleague hopefulls.... Full time 44-16, Half-time..Haven 22-6 Celtic Crusaders...
Tries from Hill, Calvert and Adibisi (2).Rudd , Spence and Fordy debut.
Celtic tries from Blackwood, Lennon &Dalle Court.
Haven: Broadbent, Calvert, Makisi, R Jackson, Adebisi, Joe, Bainbridge, McDonald, Mattinson, M Jackson, Miller, Hill, Rudd: Sice, Edmonson, McAvoy, Ford

Gate 1,220.



PETER Smith has quit as an assistant coach at Whitehaven citing differences with new boss Ged Stokes.
check local Media for updates

Petition to Downing Street over RL
There is a petition building to try and end the The ‘Yo-Yo’ system between League and Superleague.
Find out more and see if you agree......

Ged's First

Oldham 16-Haven 6

Only try from Saia Makisi on 2 minutes..only consolation...Town beaten by Blackpool 24-20.

Haven: Calvert,Bainbridge, G.Mattinson, Edmondson,
S.McAvoy, Broadbent, Makisi, Adebisi, R.Jackson, Joe, McDonald, Miller, Fletcher:
Sice, Eilbeck, Hill and M.Jackson.
Oldham: Langley, Littler, O'Connor, Mercille, Goulden,
Grundy, St Hilaire, Nanyn, Halliwell, Roden, Coyle, Boults, Joseph;
C. Baines, Robinson, Tamghart, Hoyle.
Ref R.Laughton
Gate 966

Pride being Rebuilt
Widnes 32.(16-24)..Haven 28...

Watch the Pro Cam video

Tries from Adibisi (2), Makisi and Carl Rudd, who also kicked six. Viking tries from Hartley, Dean Gaskell (4), Grady and M. Smith.
Widnes: Yates, Gaskell, Hardman, Hartley, Dodd; Paterson, Duffy; Morrison, Smith, Gannon, Hill, Noone, Beswick. Subs: Grady, Gallagher, Donoghue, Kavanagh. Haven: Broadbent, Calvert, Makisi, Jackson, Adebisi; Rudd, Joe; McDonald, Mattinson, Edmondson, Miller, Fletcher, McAvoy. Subs: Sice, Eilbeck, Hill, Ford.

Appointment of Ged Stokes

28 Mar 2008 - Whitehaven RLFC were today pleased to announce the appointment of Ged Stokes as Head Coach until the end of the current season. The news met with some initial negative voices on the Club's 'unofficial' message boards.

Grim League Opening
After a not so Good Friday...Featherstone Rovers 28 Whitehaven 6, Haven went down 6-19 to visiting Batley on an icy Easter Monday. Unable to make any headway through the Batley defences the sole home try from Craig Calvert, converted by Rudd. Scores for Batley from Fogborun, Maloney and Henderson. Goals (4) from K.King.
Watch the Pro Cam video of the Batley game.

Council to the rescue Again?
Copeland Borough Council has today(March14 2008)announced it is to underwrite a West Cumbria Development Fund loan into Whitehaven RLFC as part of its plans for the regeneration of the Pow Beck Valley in the town.
The West Cumbria Development Fund has agreed, subject to the Council’s underwriting, to loan Whitehaven RLFC £75,000 to secure their immediate future. Copeland Borough Council has agreed to underwrite this loan to safeguard the future of the Pow Beck Valley regeneration plans. These plans would see a redeveloped Recreation Ground as one of the centre pieces of a new sports village.
Tim Knowles, Copeland’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said, “Whitehaven RLFC are a major player in the Pow Beck plans, and the club will be instrumental in the success of the project. Therefore Copeland Council felt it was important to support the club by underwriting the loan. This means that we can continue to move forward with the Pow Beck proposals, with all partners keen to implement the vision for the area. Without the involvement of Whitehaven RLFC, the plans for the development would have had to be reconsidered, which would have severely delayed the project.”
The loan to Whitehaven RLFC was agreed by the West Cumbria Development Fund’s board meeting, which took place on Wednesday this week. The funding was provided to Copeland Borough Council, who in turn have passed it to the club’s accountants. Without the loan, the club’s immediate future was in jeopardy.
Gordon Grace, the Chairman of the Whitehaven RLFC caretaker board of directors, said, “We are delighted that Copeland Borough Council and the West Cumbria Development Fund have been able to support us. It is well documented that we have been in a tight financial situation, and this funding will help the club to progress to a sustainable future.”
Copeland Borough Council is Whitehaven RLFC Group’s single biggest shareholder. The Council owns 45% of the shares in Whitehaven 1992 Ltd, the holding company which owns 70% of the club. The Council will now be calling an extraordinary general meeting of Whitehaven 1992 Ltd. The club are due to hold an annual general meeting during April 2008.
March 2008 WHITEHAVEN have been handed good news over the Recreation Ground, with the capacity rising by over 1,000 to 8,500 for the new league season.

Challenge Cup Haven thru but
Wath Brow ousted


Sadly we won't be seeing a Brow-Haven game as Swinton came up the M6 and beat Wath Brow 14-40, despite tries from King and Amor.(Sunday 09/03/2008 )

Leigh Miners 14- Haven 40....tries from Fletcher(2), Eilbeck,Joe, R.Jackson
and Calvert. Goals Rudd(1) Fletch (5)
Haven team against Leigh Miners was: Broadbent, Calvert, R Jackson, Eilbeck, Adebisi, Joe, Finch, McDonald, Mattinson, Edmonson, McAvoy, Fletcher, Rudd Subs: Sice, Ford, Hill, Teare.

Keighley

Whatever the problems in the boardroom Board room Changes (March 2 2008) the squad ensured points at Keighley; Keighley 16 Haven 32....Rudd (2) Makisi (2), Calvert, while neighbouring Town went down 86-6 at Halifax!

Duffy Departure

John Duffy is leaving Haven for Widnes.
John Duffy made 27 appearances for Haven in his first season at the Recre, scoring 11 tries. He followed up with another good year last term, crossing 10 times in 24 appearances This comes at a time of financial woes off the pitch.

Halifax Blues
We won't be showing the video it's too upsetting!
At the Shay 48-16 to Halifax

Haven tries from Calvert (2), Adebisi, and Broadbent. Rudd kicked two goals.

Action shots from the Shay

Scores from Blue Sox were Larder (2), A.Smith, Royston, Penkywicz,
Patterson and Goddard (2) Holroyd kicked seven goals.
Ref. was Mr Ganson.

Haven Team: Broadbent, Calvert, Makisi, Eilbeck, Adebisi, Finch, Duffy, M Jackson, Mattinson, Fatialofa, Miller, Fletcher, Rudd. Subs: McAvoy, Joe, Edmonson, Hill

Boardroom Shake Up

New man in the chairman's seat is Gordon Grace. As rumoured recently on the message boards Des Byrne has stood aside as chairman after many years loyal work for the club. Des will stay on the board and the board sees the return of Barry Richardson to strengthen the top table. Also stepping in to help bolster Haven is Mike Graham from GM Supplies and Billy Rudd from Unique Sports.
According to News and Star: "Byrne has been replaced by Gordon Grace, a former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, prominent Haven fan and sponsor.The exact state of club finances is not yet known, as the new board is awaiting the latest accounts. But it is believed that Haven's financial situation needs attention. And respected former chairman Barry Richardson, credited by many as the architect behind the club's transformation in to the game's leading part-time club, also returns to the board, to take charge of all financial matters. Grace, 60, paid tribute to the work of the departing chairman, who will remain a club director, and stated his intent to place Haven on a more stable financial footing.

"Finances are very tight in rugby league and Whitehaven is no exception," said Grace, who, after leaving the Navy, went on to senior management roles with Marconi Simulation, the UK paper industry and more recently in launching GEN II Engineering and Training at Cleator Moor.

Status Quo to Rock the Recre

Well known rockers Status Quo are coming to a live show at the Recreation ground. Saturday August 2. To find out more see Whitehaven.org.uk

Kiwis Testimonial Game

A crowd of 700 watched Haven beat a NZ3 Select side 42-10 at the testimonial for Aaron Lester, David Fatialofa and Leroy Joe. Lester, who retired late last season, narrowly missed the match as he is getting married in New Zealand.

Welcome to Haven for Tongan Saia Makisi from North Sydney Bears on a 12-month contract.
The 25 year old is a 6ft 3ins centre, weighing in at 16-stones.



The fans have high hopes for the coming season as Haven are joined by Tongan Saia Makisi

The 2007 Season's Awards

Players player of the year: Richard Fletcher

Directors Player of the year: Gary Broadbent
Junior Supporters player: Carl Rudd
Pro-Cam try of the season: Craig Calvert V Leigh
Most Improved Player: Derry Eilbeck
Young Player of the year: Marc Bainbridge
Supporters player of the year: Gary Broadbent
Support Group player of the year: Richard Fletcher
Away Supporters player of the year: Richard Fletcher
Internet Supporters player of the year: John Duffy
News and Star readers player of the year: Craig Calvert

Academy Awards; Players player of the year: David Ford
Coaches player of the year: Craig Benson
Directors player of the year: Chris Smith
Supporters player of the year: Marc Bainbridge

Washington Group International, the main sponsor of Whitehaven Rugby Football Club has yet again pledged its support for the club with an increased sponsorship package for 2008.

The company announced at the club's annual Presentation Night (Nov 9) that it is increasing its sponsorship to £42,000 for the new campaign. Iain Irving, West Cumbria Operations Director of Washington Group, said, 'We are often asked why we have been such a long term sponsor of the club, particularly since we have no great gain in simply trying to advertise our brand to a wider range of potential customers by having our names on the shirts. We have after all only one real potential customer in the UK nuclear industry, the Nuclear Decomissioning Authority - and they know us pretty well already!' 'Our reasons for sticking with Haven for so long are based around our admiration for what the club does for the local community in Whitehaven and how much it means to the people of the town. You cannot over estimate the sense of pride in the people of Whitehaven when the team is doing well and the focus it brings on the town when we are marching towards major finals. Let's not forget the source of income that the club is to the town and if we manage to achieve our goal of Super League status we will help to transform the town's fortunes significantly. This club is a major player in the marketing of all that is good about Whitehaven and West Cumbria.' 'The extensive community activities that the club carries out on a routine basis are exemplary and extremely important to us as a sponsor. From the rugby coaching in schools, inclusive clubs for those with physical and learning difficulties, Try Times with hard to reach children or those at risk in secondary schools , to Sports Mentoring programmes, Summer Camps, Transition and Development Days and Pride in Cumbria Libraries, the list of community based benefits this club brings to Whitehaven is phenomenal. So many of the kids in Whitehaven dream of playing for the club some day and the club serves that role model status with distinction. So, why wouldn't anyone want to sponsor a club like this?'
Des Byrne, Chairman of Whitehaven RLFC, said 'Once again we are immensely grateful for Washington Group International's continued support of the club. This will be the eighth year that they have been our main sponsors and that makes them one of the very longest serving sponsors in Rugby League. The club is rightfully proud of all the activities and benefits we bring to the town, but none of this would have been possible without the backing of Washington Group over the past eight years'.