Anything in your discussions that might have indicated Gale returning on Friday?

No mate.

Jack Mallinson signed for Hunslet on a 1 yr deal.

Oli Burton leaves to join Batley Bulldogs permanent deal

According to YEP seven lads signed on for Academy next season:

Will Gatus, Jack Johnson, Kai Morgan, Alfie Edgell, Max Simpson, Riley Lumb, Jack Smith (who I don’t know about).

These players do seem to be the pick of the bunch, a couple of future first grade prospects in there maybe.

Pleased with that, I had 5 of 7 getting 33+ squad numbers for 2022. Adds to the depth which is only going to help and likely we will see them in the reserves.

Good set of signings

Jack Smith is a centre, big lad with good skills, i had my doubts about his athleticism, thought he looked quite cumbersome when watching him play for Fev Lions, but he looked much better in that department for us last season, i was pleasantly suprised.

I'm guessing the club really must see something in him when we already have Newman, Broadbent, Edwards, Simpson, Hall in the system,

I quite like the look of Morgan - that's the kiss of death on his career now. He looks very skilful and quite nippy.

Looking forward to seeing more of these lads next year.

Other than Max Simpson who has a chance i cant really see any of the others breaking thru really. I know Agar likes Gatus a lot. Jack Johnson is a big forward whos decent.

Im afraid tho this could be the last half decent bunch recruited for some time.

Do you reckon we've had our purple patch mate? Be interesting to see what effect COVID has had on youth development - may well be a blip for a couple of years, I don't know.

You used to rate young Edgell didn't you?

If Morgan Gannon is the second coming of Morley, I reckon Simpson would be my Keith Senior.

I just think with such a young side in development, the club desperately needs a real high-quality pre-season. Whereas many clubs are in maintenance mode / combination-building with senior pros, our lads need the input and the hard yards in physical strengthening.

In fairness, we don't need a huge influx of young talent in the short-medium term, but we do need to keep tickover and not fall back into the dark days again. Obviously there needs to be the talent our there to find in the first place.