Top-scorer Forber says farewell to Town

Last updated 19:48, Thursday, 25 September 2008

WORKINGTON Town have suffered a major blow – the loss of the club’s best player, Carl Forber.

GONE: Carl Forber

Forber, who set a record this season for scoring in every match, is off to National League Two rivals Rochdale Hornets.

Half back Forber, who was one of Town’s most consistent performers last season, rejected new terms with Town to move nearer home.

Town director Les Smallwood said: “We offered him improved terms and we thought he was going to sign but then we got a call from his agent to say that he had signed for Rochdale.”

The 23-year-old is the third player to leave the club in the past few days, following Dexter Miller and Matt Tunstall’s moves to Whitehaven.

Town coach Dave Rotheram, however, is confident he will find ample replacements to start next season afresh.

Rotheram said: “We are currently speaking to a lot of players from all over the world and it is still very early days. The season has not finished for everyone.

“Some teams are still in the Grand Finals and, depending on the outcomes, other players may become available.

“Carl had two fantastic years with us but the time has come for him that he wants to be nearer his family.

“I wish him every success and hope he continues on his upward curve. I know that he will be in good hands at Rochdale.”

Forber’s feat of scoring in every game in a season has only been equalled 28 times in rugby league history.

He was also the NL2’s leading points scorer the previous season with 254 to his credit from the league and play-off campaign.

And he equalled Dean Marwood’s club record of 13 goals in a game and also scored a hat-trick of tries as Town hammered a hapless Blackpool 86-6 at Derwent Park in the July.

Also departing is long-serving prop Matthew Tunstall who has signed a two-year deal with Whitehaven.

Tunstall said: “It was too good a chance to miss to play NL1. I’m 31 now and I don’t think I will get the chance again.

“Another factor in signing was that I wanted to play under Ged again. I rate him highly. He is probably the best coach I have played under.”

Tunstall signed for Town in 1996 from Broughton Red Rose and returned to the amateur club for half a season when Town were in financial trouble.

On the positive side, Town has signed promising Barrow youngster Jack Pedley on a one-year deal.

The 18-year-old hooker was part of Barrow’s promotion-winning squad this year and is out to stake a claim for a regular place in Town’s line-up next season.

Smallwood said: “He is an outstanding young talent and we are more than willing to give him first team opportunities at Workington to help develop his talent.

“He has aspirations of playing in Super League and we gave the opportunity to Adam Sidlow to showcase his talents and he has gone on to earn a Super League deal with Salford so it shows it can happen from NL2.”

Staying at Derwent Park are wingers Jamie Marshall and Stephen Dawes who have both re-signed for another year.

Marshall, 30, joined Town in June this year because of limited opportunities at his home-town club Barrow.

Smallwood said the club is delighted that Dawes, 23, a former Salterbeck amateur who joined the club in 2004, is staying with them.

l Town Flyer: Monday, T Wilkinson, Netherton, B6432; Tuesday, A Dixon, Whitehaven, A0818; Wednesday, Carol Spence, Gt Broughton, D352; yesterday, A Coyle, Harrington, A0182; today, RE Studholme, Workington, C1856.