Maloney returns

FORMER Super League stalwart Francis Maloney has joined the Roughyeds backroom team in a player-mentor role.

He will work alongside reserve-team coach John Hough to give the club’s younger players the benefit of his vast experience gained over 20 years as a pro, many of them at the sport’s highest level in Super League.

A goalkicking stand-off with more than 350 senior games behind him (176 of them in Super League), 36-year-old “Franny” played for Leeds, Warrington, Oldham, Featherstone, Salford, Wakefield, Castleford, Batley, Dewsbury and Hunslet, before hanging up his boots in 2008.

“Franny will be helping me to bring on the youngsters in the reserves, more specifically with the backs and half-backs but with anyone who can benefit from his experience,” said Hough.

“He won’t be playing, but he hopes to be with us once a week for training and he will watch the matches closely, either in person or on video.

“He will look at individual players and guide them in such things as developing skills, making right choices, tactical awareness and how and when to kick.

“At the end of each session he attends he will devote half an hour or so to a kicking clinic, including goalkicking.

“His vast experience can only enhance the reserve team squad and everyone in it - and that includes me.”

Maloney, who lives in Dewsbury, said: “I would love to play - I’m a stone lighter than ever I was in my playing days - but I can’t on medical grounds because of a neck problem.

“Instead, I will be helping Houghie to bring on the young hopefuls and that’s something I enjoy doing.”


THE reserve-team squad have a pre-season bonding session tonight with a visit to the Manchester Paintball Arena in Chadderton. The next scheduled game for the reserves is away at Dewsbury Rams next Thursday (7.30pm kick-off).