We're sponsored by Glossop Caravans

FAIRCLOUGH SIGNS PERMANENT CONTRACT WITH LIONS

02 November 2018

The club is delighted to confirm the signature of half-back Rob Fairclough on a two-year deal, joining from Super League side St Helens.

 

St Helens half-back Rob Fairclough has signed a permanent contract with the Lions which will see him at the Club until the end of the 2020 season.

Rob Fairclough has signed a new two-year deal with the Lions, joining from Super League side St Helens.

The talented half-back first joined the Lions in February 2018 on a short loan, and re-joined the side in July for the remainder of the Championship season. He played an influential part of Lions’ success in securing our spot in the 2019 extended-Championship season.

https://twitter.com/Swinton_Lions/status/1023550938630508544

Fairclough joins from St Helens, where he has developed as a player as well as his amateur rugby league club Blackbrook. The 21-year-old also went on the England under 18s tour of Australia in 2016.

On his permanent contract from his parent club, Fairclough told swintonlionsrlfc.co.uk: “I’m made up to sign with Swinton for the next two years. After all the loyalty the Club have showed in me, I feel like its the place for me and I can’t wait to hopefully repay the Club with good performances on the field.”

Fairclough has already displayed his hard-hitting defence and flair in attack, including tries against Leigh Centurions and Sheffield Eagles, and promises to be an eye-catching signing for the 2019 Championship campaign.

“I am delighted to get Rob Fairclough over the line,” Head Coach Stuart Littler added, who was victorious in his first game in charge of Ireland over Scotland.

“Rob has impressed me both with his skill set and his attitude since joining us from St Helens. He is a pivotal cog in our organisation and one we have worked tirelessly on to ensure he committed his bright future to us.”

“I really feel we will reap the rewards in the coming years due to Rob’s commitment and willingness to improve and develop. This signing is a big one for us and one I really pushed for with the board. Thanks to Andy for all his support in getting this one done.

“A VERY TALENTED, YOUNG MAN AND EXCEPTIONAL HALF”

On the latest addition, who will play an important part of the next season, Chairman Andy Mazey added: “It was always our intention to do anything we possibly could to secure Rob’s services from St Helens and Stuart is keen to build a team around his pilots, so to have our one, seven and nine all sign at this stage of the closed season is fantastic for the continuity of the team.

“Rob came very close to signing elsewhere and was not short of offers, but having spent time listening to Stuart’s plans for him and the team and I also got the opportunity to sit down with him one-on-one and explain the exciting plans we have for this Club, we are delighted that Rob is now a Swinton Lions player for the next two seasons and hopefully beyond.

“There is a major shortage of half-backs and every team in our division is on the lookout for them at this time so to have secured a very talented, young man and exceptional half from a top Super League side on a two-year deal while in the process of fending off competition from Championship rivals for his signature is another smart piece of business and another major coup.

“Clearly there is a reason players are choosing this Club over others and I’m proud we are now seen as a Club for ambitious, young professionals to come and make a name for themselves. Roll on 2019!”

You can watch Rob and the rest of the Lions with 2019 season tickets now ON SALE

CONFIRMED 2019 SQUAD

Ben Austin
Billy Brickhill
Mike Butt 
Joe Digby
Rob Fairclough
Ryan Gray
Frankie Halton
Jack Hansen
Paddy Jones
Rhodri Lloyd
Luke Waterworth
Daley Williams
Chris Worrall

Sponsors

Sale FC
Roadflash
Primus Traffic Management
Glossop Caravans
ROODSAFE
Created by Rugby League World Cup England 2021
Camway Installations
Daisymill Technologies
Swinton Lions Supporters Trust