The Kings Speech : Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:50 pm  

ST HELENS boss Keiron Cunningham has said that whilst the club do have a quota spot available to fill for 2015, they will not go out and buy someone for the sake of it.

The Saints have only added Travis Burns and Atelea Vea to their squad for the forthcoming season, and whilst Cunningham said he won’t rule out another signing coming in, he did admit they will not fill the last remaining quota position just because it’s empty.

“We’ve got a quota spot still there, and if we can maybe free up a bit more money and something becomes available, you can never say never,” Cunningham said.

“But it’s got to be the right person and the right player for this club, and a guy that fits the bill.

“We’re not just going to sign someone just because they’re out there and we’ve got room, it has to be a move that fits the needs of everyone involved.”

Cunningham has also expressed his delight at his revamped backroom setup for the new season, which has seen the return of Sean Long to the club, as well as a new role for former winger Ade Gardner.

“We’ll run with what we’ve got behind the scenes; obviously Sean has come in and given everyone a real lift.

“I’ve got a really good team that’s full of experience and knowledge, and I think we’re ticking each others boxes as a team. The coaching staff feels really complete as a group.”

Cunningham also revealed that he’s hopeful his entire squad – which suffered horrendous injury problems throughout last season – will be fit for their season opener against Catalans in February, including Luke Walsh, who is recovering from a horrific leg injury suffered against Widnes last season.

“Wilko (Jon Wilkin) is now back in full training, and Walshy is on track to meet his scheduled date. We’re looking to get him out there in the next few weeks, and hopefully we’ll be able to have a clean bill of health when we get to that first game,” he said. “Touch wood, everyone should be fit and raring to go for that opener against Catalans in February.”

Re: The Kings Speech : Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:57 pm  

It's good to see everyone will be fit. The pack is probably going to be the most interesting given there is no obvious line up.

With a fully fit side both wellens and lance will be interesting picks as it will signal the intent for the coming year.

Re: The Kings Speech : Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:25 pm  

Am I going crazy? Burns, Walsh, Masoe, Vea, Hohaia are our quota players? The quota limit is 7 so why do we only have 1 remaining quota spot?

Re: The Kings Speech : Thu Dec 18, 2014 5:12 pm  

Magic Superbeetle wrote:

Am I going crazy? Burns, Walsh, Masoe, Vea, Hohaia are our quota players? The quota limit is 7 so why do we only have 1 remaining quota spot?

No idea unless the quota is only 6???

Re: The Kings Speech : Thu Dec 18, 2014 6:35 pm  

bewareshadows wrote:

No idea unless the quota is only 6???

The operational rules are a under a bit of rewrite by what I can gather, and the non fed rule has been reworded (see below)

18:1 The Board shall have the discretion to declare that a Player qualifies as ‘Federation Trained Player’ notwithstanding that the player does not satisfy strictly the definition where in the Board’s absolute discretion the Board is satisfied that the player satisfies the spirit of the definition or considers that in view of the circumstances relevant to that case it is appropriate to declare that a Player qualifies as a ‘‘Federation Trained Player’ and in particular shall take into account any time registered with a Member Club of a member organisation of the relevant Federation. The burden of establishing such circumstances is strictly on the individual player.

B1:16:1 The following definitions shall apply to Clause B1:15 above:

Federation Trained Player’: a player who, for any 3 full Seasons before the end of the Season in which he ceases to be eligible by age to play at Under 21 level has been on the Club’s register or the register of another Club which plays in competitions under the jurisdiction of a member of the RLEF. For the avoidance of doubt if a player moves from one Club’s register to another Club’s register and there is a period of no more than 28 days in the Season (as defined) and any amount of the period between the 1 December and the day of the first League Match, Representative Match or Cup Tie (whichever is sooner) between being removed from one register and being registered with another Club, consecutively shall not be broken for the purposes of this clause. In addition a Club may apply for a Player who has been granted New Talent Pool status under the Salary Cap Regulations to be granted Federation Trained status.
‘Academy Junior’: a player who is eligible by age to play at Under 21 level and who is on the Club’s Register.
B1:15:1 At the time of notification in any season of the Provisional First Team Squad and First Team Squad and following any amendments during the season, a Super League or Championship Club’s First Team Squad must consist of a maximum of 7 players who are not either: (a) Federation Trained; or (b) Academy Juniors.

Is there a signing to be announced? Or is it just miscounting on kc's behalf?

Re: The Kings Speech : Thu Dec 18, 2014 6:57 pm  

Might just be a simple turn of phrase, as in we have a space available if needs be, as opposed to specifying we have 1 space available.

Re: The Kings Speech : Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:17 pm  

It's probably just because he's thick. I highly doubt he's been instrumental in our squad building plans. KC sounds to me to be a hands on coach rather than a strategic thinker.

Re: The Kings Speech : Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:19 pm  

All that reference to "under 21's competition" when it doesn't exist at Superleague level!!!!

Re: The Kings Speech : Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:31 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

All that reference to "under 21's competition" when it doesn't exist at Superleague level!!!!

The crazy thing is, that's the rules "rewritten"

It's very interesting they've removed the requirement for 7 homegrown players in first team squads (so far as I can see), simply breaking it down into federation players and non fed players instead ...