Its been a busy afternoon for League 1’s second place side which has seen them strengthen their side for the rest of the season and as far as 2019. The club made two announcements the first being the signing of Jordan Hand for the rest of the season. Hand made 19 appearances for Whitehaven back in 2013 & 2014 via the DR system while at St Helens. Hand has already spent time at Championship sides Rochdale & Swinton so far this season making seven appearances.
We are very pleased to announce the signing of Jordan Hand! Jordan joins us until the end of 2017! pic.twitter.com/IhB9WapOFC
— WhitehavenRlOfficial (@OfficialHavenRl) July 27, 2017
The prop forward comes in as a reinforcement for a small Haven squad which has been struggling with injuries in the pack during the back end of the regular season. Glenn Riley & player/coach Carl Forster had both missed games before returning in the last round v Barrow. Fellow forward Marc Shackley picked up a calf injury against Barrow and is not in contention to take on the same opposition in the first round of the League 1 Super 8’s this weekend.
The second announcement came as Carl Forster signed a new two year contract to keep the current player/coach down at the Recreation Ground until the end of 2019. Forster in his second spell at the club after signing back on for the Super 8’s campaign last season became a firm fans favourite in his first spell back in 2013 & 2014 on Dual Registration from St Helens.
Over the moon to be the club for another 2 years. Thanks to the board and players for making it such a easy decision. On to Sunday now 🏉❤️
— Carl Forster (@cforster26) July 27, 2017
Forster became the youngest head coach in Rugby League when he took the Haven job for 2017 aged just 24. He set out his aims for this season early on when his side would be aiming for promotion. A difficult pre-season where Haven lost all four games seen Forster under pressure from a small section of Haven fans but since the league campaign started its been a great run of form. Haven are currently 13 games unbeaten and have the second longest unbeaten run in the British Leagues behind League 1 leaders Toronto. Forster has been present in all but one of his sides fixtures this season and has been a leader on and off the field scoring 11 tries.
Photo Credit: Havenwarrior (Tony Weir)
