Sheffield Eagles join forces with Super League newcomers Leigh Centurions to draft in players

Sheffield Eagles' rebuilding work has continued after it set up a dual-registration partnership agreement with Super League newcomers Leigh Centurions for 2017.
Eagles coach Mark AstonEagles coach Mark Aston
Eagles coach Mark Aston

The South Yorkshire club announced on Friday that new funding has helped safeguard their future following months of uncertainty.

A raft of signings have since been announced, the latest being powerful centre Perry Whiteley who joins on a one-year deal from Workington Town.

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However, the Championship club has also secured a deal with Leigh who were so dominant last year, finishing top, then winning six of their seven Qualifiers games to earn promotion.

Eagles head coach Mark Aston has been a long-time critic of the player sharing system but he said: “We’d like to thank (coach) Neil Jukes and (owner) Derek Beaumont at Leigh for agreeing to dual-registration with Sheffield Eagles.

“We are indebted to them and it will greatly assist us this season. We have never used dual-registration before and my opinions on it, which are well documented, don’t change.

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“However, after a very tough six months we haven’t got a massive squad and this agreement will add some quality players to our team.

“The players will be available for training with us through the week, allowing us to be much more prepared for matches than if only available for game days, which is a huge bonus for us.”

Jukes said: “After meeting Mark Aston it became quite clear that flexible access for our players to play games at a high standard this year, as well as genuinely contributing to Sheffield Eagles, was a perfect fit for both clubs, especially after our decision to delay reserve grade rugby for one more year.

“Besides the invaluable positives the players get from solid minutes on the field, it is also vitally important they continue to develop and improve.

“Through Mark and his coaching staff I know this will happen.”