ROCHDALE HORNETS R.L.F.C

PLAYER PEN PICTURES SEASON 2005

„h DAVID ALSTEAD (Utility Back) ; Played Super League for Warrington Wolves between 2000 and 2003 making 23 appearances plus 10 as substitute scoring three tries. Moved on to Leigh Centurions where he became a regular member of the team in 2003. He fell slightly out of favor under new coach Darren Abram In 2004 and was allowed to move on loan to Hornets. Played a prominent part in Hornets successful survival campaign scoring a total of 16 points. Returned to Leigh a rejuvenated player and played in every game on his return including the 2004 Grand Final.

„h CHRIS CAMPBELL (Wing) ; One of Bobbie Gouldingˇ¦s first signings in preparation for the 2004 season. Had previous stints at Whitehaven and Oldham. He had a successful start to his Hornets career before picking up a knee injury in the Arriva Cup. However he made a successful return to action and played a key role in the latter stages of the season. He scored a total of 12 tries in the 2004 season making him the clubs leading try scorer.

„h ANDREW SAYWELL (Wing) ; Joined Hornets mid way through the 2004 season from Widnes Amateur Club Farnworth. Played at both Full Back and Wing. Showed plenty of pace on numerous occasions scoring a total or 4 vital tries in 8 full appearances.

„h PAUL ANDERSON (Centre & Club Captain) ; It was a massive boost to Hornets when Paul decided to join the Club in December 2003 and so became Bobbie Gouldingˇ¦s first signing. As Hornets struggled in the early part of 2004 Anderson was a leading light as Club Captain always leading from the front. His season came to an abrupt end at Post Office Road in the Arriva Cup when Paul suffered cruciate knee ligament damage. It will be a long road to recovery for Paul but his determination will ensure that he will be back in a Hornets shirt in 2005.

„h MARK Mc CULLY (Centre) ; Joined Hornets in June on loan from Leigh and stayed for the remainder of the season, had also previously played for the now defunct Chorley team where he was named player of the year in 2003. Made a total of 13 appearances for Hornets in 2004 scoring 3 tries. Mark is also a very useful goal kicker.

„h CHRIS RATCLIFFE (Forward) ; Came to Hornets early in 2004 from the student Amateur Rugby League Network and made a huge contribution especially in the Arriva Cup competition, and was also outstanding when Hornets beat Leigh 44-18 at Hilton Park scoring 2 tries. Made a total of 6 full appearances and 6 as substitute in 2004 scoring 2 tries.

„h DAVID CUNLIFFE (Centre / Loose Forward) ; Joined Hornets in April 2004 from Liverpool St Helens Rugby Union side. Initially played at Centre but as Hornets became a prominent force in National League one David made the successful transition to loose forward, with his trade mark mid field burstˇ¦s becoming the main feature of his play, together with his magnificent defensive qualities. Made a total of 18 appearances scoring 4 tries.

„h JOHN BRADDISH (Stand Off) ; John had a great season with Hornets in 2004 finally realising the potential that got him into St Helens Super League squad in 2002. Came to Hornets via Chorley and Oldham. He was the feature of many prominent half-back partnerships during 2004 as he became a regular member of the team. Made a total of 23 full appearances plus 2 as substitute and contributed 3 tries and 26 goals along the way.

„h LEE BIRDSEYE (Half Back) ; Lee joined Hornets via the Widnes Amateur set up after spending the early part of his career in the successful Widnes Vikings Alliance team. He very quickly became a fans favorite at Hornets with his trademark no nonsense approach to the game. In fact many people thought that he had many similarities to his Player Coach which is a huge compliment. Lee played at both Stand Off and Scrum Half making a total of 18 full appearances with a further five as substitute scoring 8 tries and 67 goals making him the Clubs leading points scorer in 2004.

„h RADNEY BOWKER (Stand Off) ; The close season signing that most Hornets fans would have hoped for after his highly successful loan spell of 2003 under former coach Martin Hall. Radney played Super League for London Broncos for the early part of 2004 before signing for his hometown club Leigh in May. Bobbie Goulding kept a watchful eye on his progress during 2004 and once it became apparent that Radney would not be offered a Super League contract with Leigh, Bobbie made his move for the player. Radney had also made it clear that it was his preference to re join the Club that he had many fond memories of from his previous spell. His trademark mid field breaks will again be anticipated on his return to the Club.

„h ROB BALL (Prop) ; Had a solid 2004 for Hornets with his experience gained playing at Wigan and Leigh proving vital. He was a tower of strength in many matches always being a willing ball carrier especially coming out of his own 20-metre zone. Made a total of 18 full appearances in 2003 and a further three as substitute scoring 1 try along the way.

„h SAM BUTTERWORTH (Utility Back) ; Sam made a really successful transition to the professional game when he made the move from Rochdale Mayfield in January 2004. Bobbie Goulding showed immediate faith in the young Rochdale Lad by putting him straight into first team action in the Law Cup at Oldham. Samˇ¦s quick feet became a trademark of his play as did his numerous mid field breaks. His versatility made him a vital asset to Hornets squad. He made a total of 11 full appearances in 2004 with a further 13 as a substitute scoring 8 tries and 1 goal.

„h ANDREW GORSKI (Second Row) ; Andrew was Hornets 2004 player of the year an award he richly deserved as he was a model professional and a well respected Captain taking over that role from Paul Anderson. No one at the Club made more appearances than Andy in 2004 he made 27 full appearances scoring 11 tries with his wide running becoming a feature of his play. He came to Hornets via Salford City Reds were he was a product of the Clubs academy system.

„h PHIL FARRELL (Loose Forward) ; Joined the Club from local rivals Oldham in October 2004 after a string of impressive performances against Hornets prompted Bobbie Goulding to make a move for him. Phil is a work a holic no nonsense type of player and a natural leader on the field. He is the Brother of Great Britain and Wigan Captain Andrew Farrell.

„h LEE DORAN (Second Row) ; Joined Hornets at the same team as Phil Farrell in an excellent double swoop by Bobbie Goulding on local rivals Oldham. Lee is a wide running second row forward and has pace to burn and was always amongst the tries at his former club. He is a current full international with Ireland and played in the recent European Nations Championship.

„h GARETH PRICE (Prop) ; At the start of the 2004 season Gareth was the only remaining connection to the successful Martin Hall era, left at the Club and it came as a welcome boost to his long time friend Bobbie Goulding when he agreed to put pen to paper and commit himself to Hornets. As usual his performances were excellent in 2004 with his block busting style of running again making him a firm fans favorite just had they had done in his previous two seasons. He made 16 full appearances in 2004 scoring 6 vital tries usually scattering the opposition in all directions along the way. A current full Welsh International his season came to a premature end in 2004 when he picked up a 5 match ban which he has now served.

„h LEE HANSEN (Prop) ; Lee Hansen was the Veteran of Hornets 2004 squad but what a vital contribution he would go onto make. All the Super League experience he gained at Widnes and Wigan was evident in the massive performances he put in especially in the big games such as Halifax and Oldham where he was a colossus. He was a model of professionalism and his solid uncompromising play made him a fans favorite. In total he made 10 full appearances with a further 12 as a substitute.

„h TOMMY HODGKINSON (Prop) ; Another master stroke pulled by Bobbie Goulding when he enticed Tommy back into the Pro game from Amateur Club Thatto Heath. And again another player with a wealth of top flight experience with St Helens and Bradford Bulls and this experience proved vital in Hornets survival campaign of 2004 as Tommy led the Hornets pack magnificently, with his running style being a constant threat to the opposition. He was consistently Hornets top yardage maker in many games and his defensive qualities were always evident. Made a total of 11 full appearances with a further 11 as substitute in 2004.

„h ANDREW LEATHEM (Prop) ; Andy had an injury hit season after suffering a hernia injury at The Shay in the Arriva Cup competition. His experience was sorely missed in the early part of the season when Hornets were struggling to find their feet. A past Challenge cup final winner with St Helens Andy hopes to be fully fit for the start of the 2005 season after having an intensive pre season program. He made a total of 12 full appearances with a further 4 as a substitute.

„h DAVID NEWTON (Forward) ; Joined Hornets in March from Neighbors Oldham, on the recommendation of former Hornets favorite Neil Flanagan, and quickly became a regular member of the first team squad. At the age of 23 he has the potential to have many good seasons ahead of him at Hornets and showed on many occasions last year why Bobbie Goulding rates him so highly, with his speed being one of his major assets. Made a total of 7 full appearances and 11 as substitute scoring 2 tries in the process.

„h DARREN ROBINSON (HOOKER) ; Darren re joined the club in April for his second spell and quickly reminded the fans of just what he is capable of. It did not take him long to start scoring his hall mark tries from the dummy half position finishing the season with a total of 9 tries. Many of his tries came at vital times as Hornets were lifting away from the relegation zone. He made a total of 13 full appearances in the 2004 season with a further 2 as a substitute.

„h RICHARD VARKULIS (CENTRE) ; Bobbie Goulding will probably regard this as his biggest signing since talking the coaching reigns in 2003. Richard signed for the club in November 2004 from Super League outfit Warrington Wolves. Whilst at the Wolves he made 4 full appearances and 1 as substitute in 2004 scoring 3 tries. Itˇ¦s a testament to everyone at Hornets that Richard decided to sign preeminently as he had previously stated how much he had enjoyed his loan spell at the club during last season. He is a big powerful Centre who will strike fear into all National League one defenses. Whilst at Hornets last season Richard made 9 full appearances and scored 5 tries in two separate loan spells. It is the type of signing that the Hornets Board of Directors hope will get the turnstiles clicking next season.

„h Phil Cantillon (Hooker) ; Another signing that has given Hornets squad for 2005 a massive boost. Phil brings his vast Super League experience to the Club having made nearly 50 appearances for both Leeds and Widnes. Phil is also regarded as a try machine registering a try every other game during his professional career. He joins the club from Halifax where he scored 9 tries in 26 appearances for the Club last year. Goulding is extremely confident that Cantillons electrifying runs from dummy half will quickly make him a firm fans favorite.

„h DAVID Mc CONNELL (Hooker / Back Row) ; One of the un sung heroˇ¦s of Leighˇ¦s 2004 Grand Final winning team and another player who joins Hornets 2005 squad who is of the highest quality. Dave has played in the Super League with both St Helens and London Broncos and operates at either Hooker or in the Back Row. Dave made a big contribution to Leighˇ¦s success in 2004 making 12 full appearances with a further 15 as substitute scoring 4 tries.

„h Darren Shaw (Assistant Coach) ; Darren has now called time on his highly successful playing career to concentrate on his coaching role at Hornets. Having played in both England and Australia at the highest level it was a welcome boost for Hornets when he agreed to leave Oldham in January 2004 to become Gouldingˇ¦s Assistant Player Coach. Shaw was a consistent performer for Hornets always leading from the front and it was those leadership skills that helped Hornets rebuild from scratch. His contributions in training were recognised by Bobbie as being of the highest quality and commended the ultimate in respect from his fellow players. Although the boots are now tucked away in the Shaw household attic I for one would not bet against them making the odd appearance in the 2005 season. Shawˇ¦s record in season 2004 was 25 full appearances and 1 try.

„h Shaun Gartland (Assistant Coach) ; Held in high regard by Bobbie Goulding and was the final piece in the Hornets Coaching jig saw when he joined the Club in April 2004. He had recently left the Oldham Club where he had previously set up the Clubs highly successful academy team and it was seen as a major coop when Hornets secured his services. He is also currently the Coach of Rochdale Mayfield A.R.L.F.C. where last season he led the team to promotion. Brother of former Hornets favorite Steve.

„h Bobbie Goulding (Player Coach / Scrum Half) ; Took over the Hornets coaching reigns in December 2003 in the midst of a financial crisis for Hornets and in doing so became an legend in the eyes of all Hornets fans. The stature of the man was just what Hornets were crying out for as the Directors attempted to plot a survival course for the club. Player recruitment proved to be a headache for Bobbie in the early days but word soon went round that something special was developing at Hornets and players such as Gorski, Anderson Platt and co, decided to resurrect their careers under the watchful eye of rookie coach Goulding. Results at first proved to be elusive and a 80-0 hammering at Warrington and a 60 point hammering at Post Office Road only served to make Goulding more determined to turn the Clubs fortunes around. Slowly but surely the results started to improve and survival for Hornets became a real possibility. Six wins in seven games in July and August made Hornets safe, who will every forget Gouldingˇ¦s performance against Hull Kingston Rovers where his performance was hailed as one of the best individual performances ever seen in a Hornets shirt. It can now safely be said that Goulding has now transformed the fortunes of Hornets as we look forward to the 2005 season and much is expected of his side. The players all make it quite clear how much they enjoy playing under Goulding and certainly the Hornets dressing room seems to be a very happy place to be. For the record Bobbie Goulding made 5 full appearances for the Club with a further 4 as substitute scoring 3 tries and kicking 4 goals.

Giles links up with Hornets
Monday, January 3, 2005

ROCHDALE Hornets have signed utility back Chris Giles after he was released by Widnes Vikings at the end of the 2004 season.

Giles played 35 Super League games in two years for the Vikings, all of them on the wing, but he could figure for Hornets at fullback after they lost NL1 Young Player of the Year Michael Platt to Castleford.

The 23 year old was one of 13 players allowed to leave Widnes after a disappointing campaign, and Hornets coach Bobbie Goulding is delighted with his capture.

ˇ§I believe he will be a real good signing for us - Chris has a lot of Super League experience,ˇ¨ Goulding said.