Workington Town sign amateur Craig Hodgson

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 13:41, Friday, 10 October 2008

New recruit Craig Hodgson is determined to repay the faith of boss Dave Rotheram after signing a 12-month contract with Workington Town.

Craig Hodgson

The 22-year-old had three seasons in Whitehaven’s Academy ranks before switching to his old amateur club Distington this term.

And he revealed he had not expected to return to the pro game until contacted by Rotheram – who he knew from his spell at the Recre – and listened to his plans.

“I liked the way he put his point across and what he’s trying to build,” said Hodgson. “He wants a young enthusiastic team to get out of that league. I’m up for the challenge.

Hodgson played only one year of senior Cumberland League rugby for Distington, his home village, scoring 22 tries, before joining Haven as an amateur for a season, later signing a two-year pro deal.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it at Whitehaven, learned a lot and made a lot of friends,” he added, explaining his decision to move on.

“I felt there was too much competition for places, and I wanted to go back to the amateur game. I had no intention of signing for Town until I got a phone call from Dave.”

The big back-rower acknowledged that his best is yet to come.

He said: “I’m not the finished article by any means. I’m still learning and my game is developing. I need to prove to myself that I’m good enough to play in that league.”

Hodgson has faced fellow new signings Steve Roper, of Widnes, and Salford’s Mark Hobson at reserve-grade level and rates both highly.

“They are really good players and Roper has first-team experience. Hopefully that will bear fruit for Town and for me,” he continued.

Rotheram declared Hodgson had been unlucky not to get his first-team chance at Haven, though added there had been stiff competition for back-row slots at the Recre.

“He’s a fantastic athlete – big, strong and fast,” the coach said. “Craig can break the line and finish off a break. He’s like Mark Routledge this year. We put him in the first-team and left him there.”