Rugby League - Featherstone Rovers vs Celtic live on Sky Sports 2 (26th July)

[Punto83]

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Probably won’t be much interest in this match but personally, for me, its our biggest game for a few years. This is the first time since 1998 ( I think) that we have been live on Sky. They last was the play off final against <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Wakefield which they won by 2 points, since then…… Wakefield have remained in Super League whilst we have eventually found ourselves in National League 2.

I thought I’d give a bit of background to my club and preview the game :)

After years of decline things are finally looking up at “fev†mainly due to a fella called Tony Kenney who unfortunately died in the new year. He started the momentum for our aim for promotion and ambition to challenging at the top of NL1 with the likes of Widnes, Castleford, Leigh etc. Anyway, on the coverage look for a blue and white flag with Tony’s favourite phrase “The Future’s Brightâ€â€¦. I organised that for him.

Anyway, a win here for Fev really puts us in the driving seat for top place and therefore automatic promotion. A defeat, really opens the door for Celtic and Barrow. The sky viewers will hopefully be in for a treat at the Chris Moyles Stadium (don’t ask lol).

Here are few lines on each player for Fevs probable line up, so anyone sitting down and not knowing much about us will be up to speed.

1 - Loz Wildbore. Recent addition from Doncaster lakers when they went bust. Has played academy rugby for both Hull FC and Hull KR. Only 22ish and unlucky not to be somewhere full time (he was at Doncaster). Currently playing with a broken thumb and toe!

2 – Danny Kirmond – Another youngster, he was a couple of years below me at school. Came through the ranks as a second row but found his place on the wing. Has the ability to play professionally in my opinion if full time

3 – Jon Whittle – Not guaranteed he’ll start but he’s probably our only specialised centre. Came through the ranks at Wigan but left for Widnes when Frank Endacott was in charge. Played quite a few times in Super League for Widnes but then left for Wakefield where he played a few times in Super League before joking Hull Kr last season on loan. Good going forward but weak in defence.

4 – Wayne McHugh (normally Dale Cardoza). Nicknamed “Asbo†because he has been banned from every pub in Castleford and has two asbo’s to his name. I don’t know what it is about him but this lad is a try machine. Another young lad and signed from Dewsbury and smokes like chimney!Spends most his time in court

5 – Dean Colton/ Ade Adebisi – Dean was signed a few months into the season when Doncaster went bust, a decent player and is quite quick but has lost his place to recent new signing Ade Adebisi. Another from Doncaster. This lad is VERY quick and scored a hat trick on his home debut, suspect in defence though. Came through the ranks at London/ Harlequins and is from Kent.

6 – Andy Kain. Signed from Widnes and a very good stand off. Probably one of the best stand off’s outside super league. Played for Castleford in Super League and won National League Player of the year whilst at Cas but for some reason wasn’t fancied at Widnes.

7 – Paul “Tiger†Handforth. Brilliant player, probably the most gifted player we have had at Featherstone since Jamie Rooney and more recently Maxime Gresque. Brilliant player who broke through at Wakefield and helped Cas gain promotion. Had to go part-time for financial reasons, could equip himself a top end of NL1. Spends most of his time as a builder

8 – Gaz Handford - One look at this lad and you will think “look at that fat ~~@@!!†but this lad is probably our best prop. Looks terribly unfit and has a huge beer gut but this lad is quality. His ball handling is superb and many say if he was 5 stone lighter, he’d make a cracking stand off. Signed from Doncaster in the close season and was their player of the season. Spends most of his time outside the local off license.

9 – Gav Swinson – Every team needs a player like Gav, daft as a brush but won’t take a backward step especially if there is any fisty cuffs. Plumber by trade

10 - Stu Dickens – In his testimonial season despite being only 26/27. Went to school with Punterslounge legend PaulM. Gone backwards in recent years after playing a few times for Salford. Our goal kicker

11 - Jamie Field – Signed after 9 seasons at Wakefield. Has experience with Huddersfield and Leeds. Joined the part time ranks to run a fitness centre/gym with Huddersfield player Ryan Hudson.

12 – Richard Blakeway – Thought at one time to be the next big thing at Castleford but a cruciate injury curtailed him a bit. Nicknamed “Motorway†due to having two hard shoulders

13 – Tommy Haughey – Brilliant player going forward, signed from Castleford but experience with London Broncos.

Other players are Ian Tonks (veteran forward), Joe McClocklan (youngster with experience with Hull and Doncaster), Carl & Paul Hughes.

Hope it’s a good game and we come top, sneaky feeling for an outright draw or Celtic win though however with Ashley Klein in the middle.

You will be able to spot me as I've got a 6ft inflatable banana for the occasion and will be rat arsed :clap

[2hcb]

Re: Rugby League - Featherstone Rovers vs Celtic live on Sky Sports 2 (26th July) Fev -4 on Bet365 Celtic +8 on Skybet I'm thinking of taking Celtic...I guess Celtic must be really rueing that dreadful comeback loss the last time they were live on TV. Any thoughts Punto?