Haven have announced yet another major coup in their recruitment drive ahead of the 2020/2021 Betfred Championship season.

The club today announced the re-signing of wily hooker James Newton on a new three-year contract.

Newton is sticking with Gary Charlton’s squad which has grown in strength in recent weeks with a number of major signings.

Newton said: “I’m over the moon to sign. Obviously I have spent a long time at this club now, I feel settled, my family loves coming here.”

And he said is pleased to commit the next three years of his career to Charlton’s side and looks forward to settling into his new role at Haven.

“This will tidy me over now until I am what you would call a grandad in rugby league. I’m looking forward to next season with the squad we are putting together," he added.

Haven’s chairman Tom Todd said: “Another of our experienced players committing to the club and on this occasion for three years.

"This is an excellent piece of work by the football committee, and a sign of confidence and loyalty in the club by James Newton. Again, next year, experience is going to count for a great deal.

“James also comes with his own group of fans, they are a great crowd and perhaps next season we can expand the following from the south of the borough.”

Assistant coach Jonty Gorley was delighted that the hooker had committed his future to the club.

He said: “Newts is a good signing for us. He brings experience to the squad.

“At the start of this season we had a chat with him about his game and he took it on board.

“You could see a difference in his game and he played well.”

The coaching team at Haven now has options going into the new season which Gorley says is great news.

He added: “With three hookers there’s plenty of competition for places which can only be good.”

Newton, 29, first joined Whitehaven from Hull FC back in 2013, making his debut on February 3 in a 30-22 home win over York.

Since then the experienced hooker has played in 161 games for Whitehaven and got over the try line 29 times.

He joined Workington Town in 2018 for one season before returning to the Recreation Ground.