I’Anson raring to get season going

Jamie I'Anson

JAMIE I'Anson believes he has come back from his Wales adventure a much better player than before.

The powerful front row forward (pictured, right), who hails from the same area of Leeds as last season's Roughyeds captain Robert Roberts, has spent the last two seasons with Bridgend-based Celtic Crusaders.

Under the guidance of Australian coach John Dixon, the Leeds Rhinos academy product quickly became an integral member of the side as Celtic picked up the National League Two title in 2007, playing 28 times — with all but four appearances coming as a Said Tamghart style impact player off the bench.

Last term, the 21-year-old made 16 appearances in total, of which seven came in NL1. After finding himself out of the first team picture towards the end of a 2008 campaign which culminated in a Grand Final defeat to Salford, he gained a release from a deal which still had another year to run.

In doing so, I'Anson passed up the chance to have a crack at Super League — but with age on his side, he is more than hopeful of another chance in the future.

"I have no regrets," said I'Anson, who has spent the past six weeks training hard under Roughyeds coach Tony Benson and conditioner Martin Roden.

"There were no fall-outs, either — I just missed home, having been away for two years.

"I wanted to move back north and carry on playing and Oldham were the best, most professional club that came in for me.

"I had another year left on my contract. But after talking to John Dixon, we both felt it was for the best that I was released.

"I wish them all the best for the future. I had two great years at the club and have learnt a lot off John Dixon, who is a great coach.

"I moved down there when I was 19, which was a big step for me at that age. Without a shadow of a doubt I am a better player for it, knowledge-wise, and in terms of experience I have played a lot of games now even though I am still only 21.

"Oldham were the only club that appealed and after meeting with Chris Hamilton and Bill Quinn, I saw how professional and ambitious the club was.

"I can't wait for the first game now. In the league the aim is to finish first and I see that as the only respectable goal.

"For me on a personal level, I want to establish myself as an indispensable member of the squad. I have signed for one year and want to be playing in the Co-operative Championship with Oldham the following season."

As for his old club, he believes the controversial decision to grant the Crusaders a three-year Super League license from 2009 was the right call to make by the RFL, despite the assertions of the aggrieved parties who have been left behind.

"I think it is a great move for the sport and was probably the only option that could have been taken," I'Anson added.

"If they hadn't have done it, it would have shown that the RFL weren't taking a forward step in developing the game.

"Widnes had gone into administration the season before and though they felt hard done by, I don't think they really had a case."