Cookson signs for 2015

John Cookson, Hornets

Popular prop forward John Cookson has become the latest of Hornets current squad to commit himself to the cause for the 2015 League One campaign.

Cookson, who will be entering his sixth year with the Hornets, has been rewarded for another consistent season in the front row and joins fellow pack men Chris Baines, Warren Thompson and Tony Suffolk as well as halves Paul Crook and Alex McClurg and our current top try scorer, Gaz Langely as early recruits for next year.

The former Leigh Centurion has recently become a father for the second time and was the first player to reach 100 appearances for the 'new' Rochdale Hornets.

A consistent performer in the front row, Cookson will be looking to lead from the front again in 2015.

Chief Executive, Ryan Bradley, commented: “You know what you get with John Cookson, honest graft. He has been consistent this season and was a real impact player in our 2013 promotion year and I am delighted to have him on board for 2015." 

On 'external' recruits for 2015, Bradley added: “I have spoken to numerous agents about nine or 10 players. We have made offers on six or so of those. We will not over pay and have put together some very good packages, it is up to them if they want to join the Hornets family.

“I have said it before, we have the best training facilities, top coach and top stadium, as well as a reputation for delivering what we promise on time to the players and that is worth something to a certain type of player.

“We will miss out on some as they chase the dollar, but that is up to them. We want players who want to be at this club for the right reasons.”

One player who won’t be with Rochdale Hornets next season is Ryan Millard, who Bradley confirmed will leave the club: “Ryan has signed at Featherstone for 2015. We matched their offer to keep him here but Ryan wants to play in the Championship or Super League, and we can’t offer him that.

“Ryan has been great for us. He is the ultimate professional. There was interest from Ryan ahead of the transfer deadline but he wanted to stay at Hornets and finish the commitment he made to his team mates and the supporters, even with more money on offer. That’s testament to the person he is.

“He has said all along that if we stayed in the Championship he would stay with us, but that wasn’t to be and he moves on with our blessing.”